01
Beyoncé
Queen Bey — from Destiny's Child to solo dominance, an R&B and pop force.
▲ Rising·Score +23
Music
Best R&B Artists of All Time
Soul, groove, and emotion — these R&B icons shaped the sound of popular music forever.
Pick your favorites · Every vote moves the ranking · Results update live
02
Marvin Gaye
Motown's soul prince whose What's Going On changed music forever.
▲ Steady·Score +14
03
Frank Ocean
Blonde's introspective artistry redefined modern R&B and alternative soul.
▲ Steady·Score +13
04
Usher
The definitive 2000s R&B king whose Confessions album is a masterpiece.
▲ Steady·Score +12
05
Michael Jackson
The King of Pop pioneered the fusion of R&B, soul, funk and pop perfection.
▲ Steady·Score +9
06
Stevie Wonder
Motown's blind genius who created some of R&B's most joyful masterpieces.
▲ Steady·Score +9
07
Bruno Mars
Modern soul and funk master with impeccable performance and songwriting.
▲ Steady·Score +8
08
The Weeknd
Dark R&B genius who transformed the genre with his brooding global hits.
▲ Steady·Score +5
09
SZA
The voice of a generation — raw, honest R&B that speaks to millions.
▲ Steady·Score +5
10
Whitney Houston
The greatest voice in R&B history, pure and utterly powerful.
▲ Steady·Score +5
11
Aretha Franklin
The Queen of Soul whose voice defined R-E-S-P-E-C-T for generations.
▲ Steady·Score +4
12
Alicia Keys
Piano-playing soulstress with songs that move hearts across generations.
▲ Steady·Score +2
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“Beyoncé”
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