Best 2010s R&B Artists
Top 20 Female Singers of 2010s
The 2010s era saw a rise in a new wave of R&B singers, who brought fresh and soulful music to the industry. These 2010s R&B artists captivated us with their smooth vocals, heartfelt lyrics, and infectious beats. The decade was marked by the emergence of a diverse range of talented artists who experimented with different sounds and styles.
While R&B thrived from the 1980s to the 1990s and 2000s, the 2010s may have not been as prosperous or as memorable as previous generations of R&B music, but some of music’s biggest names began their careers as 2010s R&B artists, or continued their career from the 2000s as the industry’s top tier musicians.
As we take a look into the 2010s, we breakdown and showcases the top artists of the 2010s, primarily singers that were either active throughout the decade, began their careers during the early or mid 2010s, or artists that released their biggest hits and most cherished work during the 2010s.
Top 20 2010s R&B Artists
Rihanna
From her early days as a rising star in the music industry, Rihanna has become a global icon. While she first came to the attention of audiences in 2005, it was not until the release of her album Good Girl Gone Bad in 2007, which featured the hit song “Umbrella” and a collaboration with Jay-Z, that she truly achieved success. Throughout the 2000s and into the 2010s, Rihanna continued to dominate with albums such as Loud, Talk That Talk, Unapologetic, and ANTI, and popular songs like “Diamonds”, “We Found Love”, “Needed Me”, “Love on the Brain”, and “Stay”, among many others.
Beyoncé
Having played a pivotal role in Destiny’s Child’s success, Beyoncé started a new phase in her career, releasing several albums spanning from the 2000s to the 2010s, namely Dangerously in Love, I Am… Sasha Fierce, B’Day, 4, and Lemonade. Arguably one of the top global stars, Beyoncé blessed fans with tracks such as “Crazy in Love,” “Irreplaceable,” “Halo,” “Love on Top,” and “Single Ladies.”
SZA
SZA’s earlier works, including See.SZA.Run and S, gave a glimpse of the artist that she would soon become. It wasn’t until the release of her album Ctrl in 2017 that SZA became one of music’s most notable superstars. Ctrl is considered one of the best R&B albums of all time and features popular tracks like “The Weekend,” “Love Galore,” “Drew Barrymore,” and “Broken Clocks.”
Ciara
Known for her sultry voice and mesmerizing dance moves, Ciara She has released numerous hit singles and albums over the years, including “Goodies,” “1, 2 Step,” and “Level Up.” Ciara’s talent and dedication to her craft have earned her numerous awards and accolades throughout her career.
Jhene Aiko
Jhene Aiko has been a part of the music industry for a long time and started working with the boy band B2K. However, her journey towards becoming one of the top female R&B vocalists started after her album Sail Out was released in 2013. It was a turning point for the Los Angeles native who became one of the top celebrated 2010s R&B artists, only to continue into the next era of R&B, the 2020s.
Kehlani
The West Coast songstress Kehlani initially gained popularity through her involvement with the teen group Poplyfe and appearances on America’s Got Talent. Although she faced challenges, she eventually achieved success as a solo artist. Her career took off with the release of Cloud 19 in 2014, followed by You Should be Here in 2015. Kehlani’s rise to fame continued with the release of her first and second albums, SweetSexySavage and It Was Good Until It Wasn’t.
Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Hudson, known for her stunning vocals, rose to fame as a participant on American Idol during the height of the show’s popularity. Her brief time in music eventually led to her breakout role in the film Dream Girls. Jennifer Hudson went on to release her debut album in 2008, which achieved gold certification and further increased her fame. All of these accomplishments has solidified her status as a well-known figure in the entertainment industry.
Tinashe
A well seasoned artist that started as a child actress, Tinashe eventually made the passage into music, first with the pop group Stunners before making the jump into a career as a solo artist. Beginning with the self release of her own music in 2012, Tinashe would eventually have an acclaimed career with the help of projects like 2014’s Aquarius and the hit song “2 On” featuring Schoolboy Q.
Keyshia Cole
In the 2000s, Oakland native Keyshia Cole became popular among R&B listeners. Her admirers appreciated her distinct style and how she remained faithful to her artistry as she gained a loyal fan base by staying true to herself. While debuting during the 2000s, Keyshia Cole saw success as one of the best 2010s R&B artists through projects like Calling All Hearts, Woman to Woman, and Point of No Return.
H.E.R.
Since H.E.R’s childhood she has received numerous accolades and much recognition, especially shining in numerous performances, from Showtime at the Apollo to various daytime talk shows. Her time becoming one of R&B’s most cherished stars began in 2017 with the release of the self-titled album H.E.R. and later followed by her sophomore album in 2019, I Used to Know Her.
Kelly Rowland
Former member of Destiny’s Child stepped out on her own during the 2000s as a solo artist with 2002’s Simply Deep. Finding much success as a member of Destiny’s Child and as a solo artist, this carried over into the 2010s with albums like Here I Am and Talk A Good Game.
K. Michelle
K. Michelle, who hails from Memphis, rose to fame through her appearances on the reality TV series Love & Hip-Hop. She made her musical debut in 2013 with the album Rebellious Soul, which received positive reviews. Prior to this, she had released several mixtapes, including her debut What’s the 901?. Over the years, K. Michelle has released six albums, multiple mixtapes, and has featured in various songs and TV shows, all helping her to cement her position as one of the top R&B artists of the 2010s.
Sevyn Streeter
While entering the rhythm and blues scene with the 2013 hit “It Won’t Stop,” featuring Chris Brown, the Floridian has long certified her position in the music industry. Gaining respect among her peers and love from fans, Sevyn Streeter has been a legend in the making since the early 2010s, only to continue her career into the 2020s without skipping a beat.
Janelle Monáe
Janelle Monáe is a singer, songwriter, producer, actress, and activist all rolled into one. Her unique sound and style has made her a force, impactful and undeniable in the industry. Monáe’s music is a blend of funk, soul, and R&B with a touch of pop, her debut album was in 2010 with The ArchAndroid. From film to music, her overall talent has presented her as one of the most respected and influential artists of our time.
Pia Mia
Pia Mia, who hails from Guam, caught the attention of Babyface when she arrived in the United States. However, her career breakthrough came with a viral movement alongside top celebrities like the Kardashians. Her first album, The Gift, was released in 2013. Some of her most popular tracks include “Do It Again” featuring Chris Brown and Tyga, as well as “Touch.”
Solange
Beyonce’s sister Solange launched her own music career in the early 2000s by releasing her album Solo Star in 2002. In the following years, she released another album called Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams. However, she gained more recognition for her work as a 2010s R&B artist, particularly for her album A Seat at the Table, which was released in 2016.
Mila J
Mila J, who is an experienced musician and elder sister of Jhene Aiko, made her debut in 2006 with her first official single “Good Lookin Out,” featuring Marques Houston. Her album Split Personality was released at the same time. Mila J continued to produce several projects throughout the 2010s, quickly establishing herself as one of the top R&B singers. She has always been a great representation of the West Coast culture, especially as one of the leading R&B artists in Los Angeles.
Melanie Fiona
Melanie Fiona, a Canadian artist, made her debut in the music industry in the late 2000s with her album “The Bridge” released in 2009. Her second album, “The MF Life”, came out in 2012 and was a big success, reaching the Top 10 on the charts. One of the most popular songs from the album was “4 AM”.
JoJo
JoJo, originally from New England, has had a diverse career spanning both pop and rhythm and blues genres. Her initial album, JoJo, was released in 2004 and included popular tracks such as “Leave” and “Baby It’s You”. While much of her initial success was during the 2000s, she released the acclaimed 2016 album Mad Love, along with several mixtapes and EPs.
Sabrina Claudio
Sabrina Claudio, a Miami native with Puerto Rican and Cuban roots, burst onto the music scene in 2016 with a series of releases that ultimately led to the creation of her albums About Time and Confidently Lost in 2017, followed by her the project No Rain, No Flowers in 2018. Throughout the 2020s, Sabrina Claudio continued to grow her career, with hits like “Belong to You” and “Don’t Let Me Down” gaining widespread recognition.
2010s R&B Artists Related Topics:
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2 Top 20 Best 2000s Female R&B Singers
3 Top 25 Female R&B Singers of 2023
*The above list is not any particular order*