New York R&B Artists
List of Top New York R&B Singers
In the shadows of a genre that was birthed in the city, while rappers from New York City have always received more shine and have been placed in a brighter spotlight, New York R&B artists have been making an impact in music for generations.
The city of New York, especially with places like Harlem, has always been a mecca for black entertainment and black music, from the days of jazz and blues to the era of the doo wop to the days of soul music during the 1970s. But since the rise of modern-day rhythm and blues, New York R&B singers have become game changers in music.
A city that is the home of numerous New York R&B singers and stars that have for long been making an impact. This includes the Bronx and Yonkers with artists like Guy, Mary J Blige, and Al B. Sure, Harlem and Manhattan with artists like Alicia Keys, Keith Sweat, Teddy Riley, and Luther Vandross, Brooklyn with Maxwell and Aaliyah, and even as far as Long Island with Ashanti and Mariah Carey.
As we enter today’s generation, stars like Teyana Taylor, who originally made her rounds choreographing before jumping into music, has become one of the most notable faces of R&B, once standing at the forefront of New York’s R&B scene until her recent announcement of retirement. While Teyana Taylor has been the mainstay of R&B in New York City, and the queen and legend Mary J Blige remaining active in music, there are numerous newcomers, singers on the rise, and up and coming New York R&B artists that once, or still, call the city home.
Top 20 New York R&B Artists
1. justine skye
Brooklyn native and the leading New York R&B artists, Justine Skye would receive her big break with 2014’s “Collide,” a song that featured Tyga and was produced by DJ Mustard. Since her arrival, Justine Skye has kept a steady and continuous presence in music, releasing 7 albums since 2013’s Everyday Living. From covering songs on YouTube to gaining a position as one of R&B’s top female artists, Justine Skye’s journey has led to a path of success.
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2. Gashi
Rapper and R&B singer, Gashi has appeared as one of New York’s most versatile artists. A man whose artistry knows no boundaries, Gahsi made his initial debut in 2014, and since has not wavered and has gone full steam ahead. Following his debut, Gahsi would go on to release popular songs like “Creep On Me,” “Mama” with Sting, “My Year,” and well acclaimed albums like his 2019 self-titled Gashi.
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3. Amber Mark
Spending time between New York City and Miami during her adolescence years, Amber Marks would eventually discover herself and her passion. She started creating music for the world to hear in the late 2010s. Beginning with the EP 3:33am and now recently releasing 2022’s Three Dimensions Deep, Amber Mark has set her mark and her place in today’s R&B scene.
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4. Wolftya
Emerging as one of the premiere New York R&B artists, Wolftya’s fame has come from fan favorites like “All Tinted” and “Butterflies,” while also gaining recognition among listeners of K-Pop music with her collaboration with K/DA music on “THE BADDEST” and “Drum Go Dum.”
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5. Raveena
The soulful and spiritual South Asian artist Raveena has drawn a core following for her uniquely soft touching sounds of rhythm and blues. Releasing several songs to begin her career, leading up to 2017’s Shanti EP, Raveena has since taken on the R&B genre, releasing celebrated projects like EP Moonstone or albums Lucid and Asha’s Awakening.
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6. mac ayres
With two acclaimed albums, 2017’s Drive Slow, which featured “Easy” and “Slow Down,” and 2018’s Something to Feel, featuring songs like “Get You Again,” “I’ve Always Been,” and “Stay,” Mac Ayres is one of the top proven New York R&B artists that has demonstrated remarkable talent over the last few years.
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7. Leon Thomas
Former Disney star, co-starring on popular television shows Victorious, Leon Thomas has now shifted his focus and attention to music, becoming one of the most notable New York R&B singers. Following his 5-year hiatus, Leon Thomas recently made a comeback into music in 2022 with songs like “X-Rated,” featuring Benny the Butcher, and “Love Jones” with Ty Dolla Sign.
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8. Devvon Terrell
Gaining much of his popularity through the 2015 collaboration album with Arizona rapper Futuristic, Coast 2 Coast, hip-hop artist and singer Devvon Terrell began his time in music during the start of the 2010s. From his beginning with the release of several mixtapes to his 8th album, Boys Don’t Cry, Devvon Terrell has been one of the most distinguished artists from New York.
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9. Sydney Renae
With stunning talent and an exquisite singing voice, Sydney Renae would gain her initial following as a YouTuber covering top R&B songs. Her first official release was in 2016 with the EP Sleeping with the Enemy. Following her 2016 debut, Sydney Renae produced several projects, We Always Do This of 2021 and Based on a True Story of 2020.
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10. Melii
New York R&B singer and rapper Melii initially grabbed everyone’s attention with the remake of Cardi B’s “Bodak Yellow.” Since her 2017 debut, Melii has featured with top artists like Jessie Reyez, Meek Mill, Tory Lanez, Becky G, Saweetie, 6lack, and Lil Durk, and has accumulated millions of streams and YouTube views through her freshman album phAses and a multitude of songs.
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11. Lion Babe
The duo of Lion Babe, which features singer Jillian Hervey and producer Lucas Goodman, began their time in music with 2014’s self-titled EP Lion Babe, starring Childish Gambino on the song “Jump Hi.” As they stated, and as music fans listen, Lion Babe bring a blend of funk, soul, and pure rhythm and blues into the industry as their presence makes it hard for them to go unnoticed in a world where originality is scarce.
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12. BAYLI
BAYLI brings a diverse artistic sound into the realm of R&B music. Hailing from Brooklyn, New York, BAYLI originally began her career as a vocalist for the rock band The Skins. Fast forwarding, BAYLI would venture out into becoming a solo artist, debuting in 2018. A beautiful talent, BAYLI is among New York’s top rising artists.
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13. Madison Mcferrin
An emotive, passionate, soul-stirring artist, Madison McFerrin made her first appearances in 2016 the EP Finding Foundations vol.1. She has become known for songs like “Stay Away,” “Try,” “No Time to Lose,” “Insane,” and a host of songs on the EP You + I.
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14. Rileyy Lanez
Rileyy Lanez is one of the several new faces within the music scene of New York R&B singers. Her first release became an instant hit, 2019’s “I’m Leaving,” given her one of the best introductions to R&B. A career still growing and expanding, music fans should expect more from the Bronx native in the foreseeable future.
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15. Maria Isabel
While the bilingual New York R&B artist María Isabel is only at the early stages of her career, her album Stuck in the Sky, released in 2021, and her latest release, the EP i hope you’re very unhappy without me, has landed herself as one of the most noteworthy rising stars of rhythm and blues.
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16. Dounia
Queens native and Moroccan singer Dounia would finally debut as an artist after years of modelling in 2017 with the EP Intro To. Since she has released three projects, Intro To (2017), The Avant Garden (2018), and The Scandal (2019), while gaining stardom with songs like “Rich Girl Mood” featuring Kehlani.
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17. Nia Sultana
Brooklyn’s own Nia Sultana has recently introduced herself as one of the top soulful New York R&B artists. Officially, entering music during 2018, Nia Sultana’s career would pick up and gain momentum during 2022 with of one of the years most underrated R&B projects, the EP Bigger Dreams.
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18. Laya
While to some Laya may be viewed as off-beat, quirky, and unconventional, but only to strangers to an artist with a natural aptitude and flair for music. Laya’s most notable songs are “Crazy Down,” “Sailor Moon,” “Brag” with Fivio Foreign, and “Sock it to Me.”
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19. erin kaith
The Queens, New York native, Erin Kaith reached her initial success on TikTok with the song “Down Bad.” While “Down Bad” has been her most notable hit song, Erin Kaith has composed a handful of songs at the outset of her career, like “Can’t Forget Me,” “Let Me Love You,” and “it was never gonna be me.”
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20. Alex Mali
Native to Brooklyn and often identified with the color green, Alex Mali’s career, which began in 2017, has led to the exceptional selections of “Start It Up,” “Obviously,” “Facts Only,” “Faded,” “Clearly,” and the EPs Sweet and Sour and Phenom.
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Honorable Mention New York R&B Singers
– kyla Imani YouTube: kyla Imani and Instagram: @kyla Imani
– Jovanie Instagram: @Jovanie and YouTube: Jovanie
– journey montana YouTube: journey montana and Instagram: @journey montana
– Jarline YouTube: Jarline and Instagram: @Jarline
– moxie knox YouTube: moxie knox and Instagram: @moxie knox
– Anayka She YouTube: Anayka She and Instagram: @Anayka She
– abby jasmine YouTube: abby jasmine and Instagram: @abby jasmine
– Felukah YouTube: Felukah and Instagram: @Felukah
– Ginette Claudette YouTube: Ginette Claudette and Instagram: @Ginette Claudette
– MAAD Instagram: @MAAD and YouTube: MAAD
– Quelle Rox Instagram: @Quelle Rox and YouTube: Quelle Rox
New York R&B Artists Related Topics
1 Top 30 New York Rappers
2 Top 10 New Jersey R&B Artists
3 Top 10 Florida R&B Singers
4 Top 20 Los Angeles R&B Artists
5 Top 7 Carolina R&B Singers
6 Top 10 Chicago R&B Artists
*Unofficial Order. The more popular artists that have a combination of the most followers, streams, views, and most recent releases are near the top.
*If any artists are missing from the list email media@kulturevulturez.com