New Era R&B

When the R&B genre started to develop in the 1960s through record labels like Motown, it was a cultural earthquake — and its seismic shocks have been felt across global music culture ever since. Blending the peppy, youthful rhythms of rock ‘n roll with the heartfelt storytelling and sonorous Black musicality of blues, R&B transformed the American music landscape and gave teenagers a new sound to dance and fall in love to; with foundational artists like Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Anita Baker, Donny Hathaway and Patti LaBelle, among myriad others. 

As the decades have passed, R&B has evolved. As the Black American civil rights movement gathered pace throughout the 1960s, artists tapped into social and political commentary as well as telling stories of love, loss and togetherness. In the decade that followed, some of R&B’s most influential albums were released: Stevie Wonder’s ‘Songs in the Key of Life,’ Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On?’ and Curtis Mayfield’s ‘Curtis,’ all of which broke chart records and played a role in introducing R&B to international audiences.

Moving into the 1980s, the advancement of music production technology yielded a major change: a blending of digital music software, drum machines and sampling into R&B’s classic live instrumentation and vocals. Pioneers in this moment include Luther Vandross and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, aka Jam and Lewis, the production duo behind Janet Jackson’s albums ‘Control’ and ‘Rhythm Nation,’ which arguably laid the blueprint for modern R&B sonics and aesthetics. 

By the 1990s, R&B vied for dominance in the charts and on radio alongside grunge rock and mainstream pop. Megawatt stars like Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey became household names and R&B-inspired Black music, fashion and media became a byword for innovation, coolness and unfiltered, raw vocal talent. 

In recent decades, R&B has undergone more transformations. No longer a strictly Black music category based on rhythm and blues, R&B has become a north star for musicians, songwriters and vocalists, creatively guiding musicians to write heartfelt lyrics about the messiness of modern relationships and explore new sonic territories. As a production style, R&B now broadly encompasses elements of trap, soul, pop and ambient electronic music. Vocals, once the preserve of powerhouse singers backed by a live band, are now often treated as an ambient element within the mix; a whole school of alternative R&B has risen from this, led by artists like Frank Ocean and The Weeknd. Most prominently in the last few years has been the growing awareness of the British R&B scene, with global audiences broadening their listening beyond the genre’s American roots.

Today, R&B is more sonically and vocally diverse than ever before. Dive into this collection of new tracks — featuring Brent Faiyaz, DAMEDAME*, Gabriel Jacoby, FLO, Sasha Keable, Leon Thomas and more — and discover how modern R&B has continued to spread across the globe, inspiring a new generation of artists.

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LISTEN TO THE NEW ERA R&B PLAYLIST ON SOUNDCLOUD

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DESTIN CONRAD, “KISSING IN PUBLIC” 
DESTIN CONRAD got his break writing for Kehlani. Now, he’s released solo R&B and jazz albums. Find out more about the Florida artist on his episode of Sound Advice, presented by Xfinity.

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SAILORR, Eem Triplin, “COCONUT” 
With her head-turning style and cross-genre influences, vocalist SAILORR is bringing a fresh edge to R&B. This is the title track of her March 2026 EP. Learn more about the Florida singer and her journey so far, including being celebrated as a member of SoundCloud’s 2025 Ascending class.

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Durand Bernarr, Khalid, “soft”
The Grammy-nominated vocalist and songwriter Durand Bernarr dropped his latest album, ‘BERNARR.,’ in May 2026. This album track features R&B singer Khalid.

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DAMEDAME*, “FIRE BURNIN’ THRU THE RAIN”
British songwriting duo DAMEDAME* came up with sultry tracks for Jorja Smith. In July 2026, they dropped their debut album, ‘DREAMS ON THE PASSENGER SEAT.’

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Gabriel Jacoby, “bootleg”
With an old soul and funk vibe, Gabriel Jacoby’s gentle falsetto and bumping, live instrumentation soar on his 2025 debut album, ‘gutta child.’

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BOY SODA, Ambre, “Lil Obsession”
Australian vocalist and songwriter BOY SODA dropped this track on his 2025 album, ‘SOULSTAR;’ in June 2026, he also dropped a deluxe version.

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Ego Ella May, “What We Do”
British vocalist and songwriter Ego Ella May draws from jazz and soul for her R&B sound. She dropped her latest album, ‘Good Intentions,’ in March 2026.

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Sinéad Harnett, “Foreign”
Following her 2024 original and acoustic album ‘Boundaries,’ British artist Sinéad Harnett returns in 2026 with this yearning R&B track.

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Sasha Keable, “tell me what you want”
British-Colombian R&B artist Sasha Keable is having a come-up moment with her sexy jams. This track features on her February 2026 album, ‘ACT II.’

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Odeal, Jorja Smith, “Coming Home”
Hailed as a leading voice in the new school of British R&B, Odeal collaborates with Jorja Smith on this track from his July 2026 album, ‘For A Good Time…’.

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Nia Smith, “No Limit”
Nia Smith’s June 2026 album, ‘Payback Is A Dog,’ is infused with the vibe and cross-genre Black references of her native South London. 

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Elmiene, Fujii Kaze, “Comets + Gold” 
British-Sudanese artist Elmiene is keen on collaboration: working with Fujii Kaze on this jazzy track, and with R&B royalty Raphael Saadiq on his March 2026 album, ‘sounds for someone.’

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Wesley Joseph, “Pluto Baby”
Wesley Joseph approaches R&B with an alternative mindset, mixing elements of rap, pop and electronic music on his April 2026 album, ‘Forever Ends Someday.’

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FLO, “Therapy at the Club”
British R&B girl group FLO were Grammy-nominated for 2024’s ‘Access All Areas.’ This is the title track from their forthcoming 2026 album.

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NAO, “Wildflower”
This single opens NAO’s 2025 album ‘Jupiter,’ which features the British artist’s warm vocals over upbeat, groovy tracks.

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Victoria Monét, “Reach Out”
On her latest single, produced by Kaytranada and D’Mile, Victoria Monét evokes the 2000s sultry glamour of the legendary Toni Braxton.

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Jacob Banks, “Love Like This”
On his April 2026 album ‘Limerence,’ Nigerian-British artist Jacob Banks taps into a soulful vibe with knotty emotional storytelling.

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Brent Faiyaz, “butterflies.”
Vocalist, songwriter and producer Brent Faiyaz is reimagining the R&B slow jam for a new generation. This track features on his February 2026 album, ‘Icon.’

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Tayc, “GIRLFRIEND”
A leading voice in the French R&B scene, Tayc brings a sexy edge with his May 2026 album, ‘JOYA.’

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Tiana Major9, “MORE”
A slow-burning presence in the UK, Tiana Major9 elevates her sound on her February 2026 album, ‘November Scorpio.’ This is her latest single.

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Isaiah Falls, “TABOO”
A seasoned R&B collaborator and songwriter, Orlando’s Isaiah Falls dropped this track on his July 2026 album, ‘LVRS PARADISE (SIDE B).’

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Baby Rose, Leon Thomas, “Friends Again”
With her smoky voice, Baby Rose feels like an old school jazz club vocalist; this track with R&B breakthrough Leon Thomas soars. Her latest is July 2026’s ‘YEARNALISM.’

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GIVĒON, Leon Thomas, “FOOL ME ONCE”
It’s a R&B king-off between GIVĒON and Leon Thomas on this latest track, featuring on the former’s May 2026 album, ‘BELOVED: ACT II.’

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Cleo Sol, “FEAR WHEN YOU FLY”
Known for her ethereal vocals and world-building live performances, Cleo Sol broke into the R&B scene with her 2021 album, ‘Mother.’

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KELELA, PinkPantheress, “the bridge”
R&B innovator KELELA works with pop artist PinkPantheress on the track from the former’s July 2026 album, ‘new avatar.’

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kwn, “good girl” 
Following her intense, slow burn of a collaboration with Kehlani, kwn dropped her latest album, ‘and all pride aside,’ in June 2026.

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Shae Universe, Ariel J., “Journey To The Sun”
Nigerian R&B vocalist Shae Universe blends soul, gospel and hip-hop into her UK-raised style.

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JGrrey, “pedigrree” 
Londoner JGrrey has been building an audience for her raspy, old soul vocals. Her latest album is 2023’s ‘If Not Now?’

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Greentea Peng, “Prisoners Round”
This is the latest track from South London vocalist Greentea Peng since her latest album, 2025’s ‘TELL DEM IT’S SUNNY.’

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Ama, Bryson Tiller, “Aura” 
Ama’s June 2026 self-titled album features this collaborative track with Bryson Tiller, who folds moody trap into his R&B sound.

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LISTEN TO THE NEW ERA R&B PLAYLIST ON SOUNDCLOUD