In 2025, R&B experienced something of a renaissance.
Thanks to the success of singers like Kehlani, Mariah the Scientist, and Olivia Dean—each of whom scored top-40 hits—the genre began to feel dominant again, moving away from the icy, trap-inspired sound that had defined the space for so long.
A warmer, more nostalgic, throwback approach is taking hold, with younger artists intentionally separating themselves from some of the themes featured in contemporary rap. And despite broader societal anxiety around love and sex, that tension isn’t reflected in the music itself, which often feels passionate, sincere, and thoughtful.
In this year’s list of breakout singers, we’ve noticed a return to romance rather than an embrace of the casual fling. We’re also seeing the UK give rise to some of the brightest new stars in the genre. As we enter an era in which human artists will increasingly be measured against AI-generated singers—many of whom operate squarely within R&B—now feels like an especially important time for R&B.
And, just durgding by the names on this list, we couldn’t be more domestic. Here are 10 R&B artists to watch in 2026.
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