Best R&B Songs of 2026

R&B in 2026 has finally come back from the trap-influenced 2018–2022 phase. Real singing is in. Live instrumentation is in. The Daniel Caesar / Steve Lacy / Cleo Sol axis has produced a dozen stars who can sing without auto-tune crutches.

Artists defining the genre right now

• • SZA
• • Cleo Sol
• • Steve Lacy
• • Daniel Caesar
• • H.E.R.
• • Alex Isley
• • Lucky Daye
• • Kehlani
• • Snoh Aalegra
• • Jorja Smith

Where to look beyond the obvious

The UK R&B scene (Sault, Cleo Sol, Little Simz) is the most exciting it's been since the 2010s. Don't restrict yourself to American radio R&B.