This year in R&B felt like many artists had something to prove and were using their music as a means to get back to themselves. There was a lot of honesty shared. Though the new normal of being more raunchy than risqué seemingly dominated the mainstream, what drew us to our top R&B albums of 2024 was the level of self-awareness shown. Real lovers pushed past through to the top of our playlists with their mystique and intentionality. Good music that also happened to have catchy melodies and quotable lyrics prevailed.
We sifted through hundreds of albums and EPs to land on these 25, and trust, it was no easy feat. There are some unanimous contenders and a few that you may be shocked by. Just know that we feel these albums vibrantly represent where R&B is today—as alive as it’s ever been.
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‘elijah.’ – Elijah Blake
Image Credit: MNRK Records Elijah Blake gave us his most earnest offering with his eponymous album. It’s an intricate, uninterrupted conversation between himself and the listener with him reminding listeners that storytelling isn’t a lost art.
elijah. is the crooner in rare form. This album was the first time in his career that he’s had so much freedom to showcase himself. He sings about bad breakups and bouncing back in love but also sheds light on more personal topics like the relationship he has with his biological father in comparison to the one he has with the father who raised him. He elevated the storytelling on the deluxe edition where many of the original records are reimagined from a female’s perspective, and he was even able to mourn the loss of his manager, Jason Hobdy. If one was seeking a blueprint on how to pour everything out and leave it on the table, elijah. is a solid place to start. — Mya Abraham
Listen: Apple Music | Spotify | Tidal
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‘Truh Be Told’ – ELHAE, Xavier Omär
Image Credit: XO Creative Club Xavier Omar and ELHAE pour their hearts on wax for the love of R&B and their fans on the ear-pleasing EP Truth Be Told. Separately, both crooners have been building their robust catalog of love songs for the past decade. The childhood best friends then combined their soulful superpowers to deliver five tracks with immaculate and intimate vibes — sans the toxic masculinity. “Can I belong to you?” they sweetly sing on the smooth opener “Vulnerable.” Omar and ELHAE keep the sparks flying on “Luv 4 U” and “Favourite” before going deeper on “It’s All There (Secrets)” and “Let You Down.” Caution: This swoon-worthy project may cause serious feelings. — Adelle Platon
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‘I’ll Always Come Find You’ – Blxst
Image Credit: Red Bull Records Inc. / Evgle Blxst’s signature laid-back West Coast hooks and verses got his fans to lock in with him, and now he knew it was time to switch it up. I’ll Always Come Find You arrived as a glossy debut offering that showed off his range, with a perfectly executed theme that took listeners on a 20-song drive through his life. In the backseat were collaborators such as Kamasi Washington, Ty Dolla $ign, Snoop Dogg, Anderson .Paak, Joyce Wrice, Becky G, and more, with even a rare appearance from the late Fatman Scoop. The project showcased how Blxst has the formula down, can hold his own with his suave artistry, and craft a perfectly catchy tune in even his sleep. — Regina Cho
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‘October Nights’ – October London
Image Credit: Death Row Records/gamma. Turn on October London’s October Nights and you might have to check your calendar to see what year it is. And it makes sense how there is an older influence in his tracks. The 38-year-old singer came up in R&B and soul music’s prime. Still, his fifth studio album is palatable for a young ear with his celestial vocals, layered instruments, and relatable concepts. “Kill Shot” tells the story of a man who falls for a woman who isn’t easy to please yet keeps him coming back. It is that storytelling, combined with his knack for musicality, that makes October Nights’ 16-song, 53-minute listening experience worthwhile. How can one read a song title like “Slander My Name” and not love it? It’s impossible. — Armon Sadler
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‘Trouble In Paradise’ – Chlöe
Image Credit: Parkwood Entertainment Chlöe is no amateur in the music game, but even with years of experience, her fans were still waiting for her to officially plant her flag in the sand. In came Trouble In Paradise, her solo project that was equal parts familiarity and experimentation. High-quality production laid a perfect bed for the Chloe x Halle member to have her cathartic release, her way. And the stellar vocals were no surprise since it’s Chlöe after all. On Trouble In Paradise, the songstress hits pockets she never has before, ups the tempo, dips back low with ease, and keeps it sexy through it all. — Regina Cho
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‘for someone somewhere who isn’t us’ – Samm Henshaw
Image Credit: AWAL After the release of his debut album, Untidy Soul, Samm Henshaw took a break from everything to revive his passion for music. What came from that hiatus was cathartic. For Someone Somewhere Who Isn’t Us is a simple project at face value— six tracks, 20 minutes, one feature.
However, it’s a bit more layered than that. It’s a deep, disruptive, soothing, and honest exploration of perseverance. Often, in times of introspection, many are left feeling isolated as though no one can relate to those feelings of angst and confusion. With this EP, Henshaw welcomes listeners into his psyche, and what they’re left with is that someone, somewhere understands. They’re left feeling more seen. for someone somewhere who isn’t us additionally serves as a reminder to sometimes step back before you can move forward. — Mya Abraham
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‘Heavy’ – SiR
Image Credit: Top Dawg Entertainment On Heavy, R&B singer SiR welcomes listeners into his complex world, which includes reveling in love and introspective realizations of humanity’s fragility as he continues his personal journey to inner peace. The 38-year-old’s vulnerable lyrics match his silky crooning which effortlessly finds a home over soulful instrumentalization and glossy production. The contemporary work, consisting of 16 tracks, features Scribz Riley, Ty Dolla $ign, Anderson .Paak, and Top Dawg Entertainment labelmates Isaiah Rashad and Ab-Soul, who bring their own experiences to the reality-grounded LP. Standout tracks include “RICKY’S SONG,” “POETRY IN MOTION” featuring Anderson .Paak, “NOTHING EVEN MATTERS,” and “ONLY HUMAN.” — DeMicia Inman
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‘Revenge’ – Muni Long
Image Credit: Muni Long Inc Muni Long’s Revenge is a deeply personal, genre-blending sophomore effort that packs on raw emotion and hard-hitting honesty. The R&B songstress has a variety of songs all themed around the aftermath of love. From singing about heartbreak on “Ruined Me” to the fiery empowerment anthem “The Baddest,” Long weaves a story of resilience and rediscovery outside of a relationship. Standouts like “Waste No Time” reflect on life’s fleeting moments, while “Superpowers” captures the vulnerability of a love that sometimes comes unexpectedly.
On “30s,” Muni Long explores the dating pressures that come with getting older, while offering relatable quotables like “don’t wanna be alone in my 30’s, 30’s/Time is tickin’, I’m worried.” On tracks like “Bessie” and the unforeseen GloRilla collab “Leave My Baby Tonight,” the momentum picks up, offering something to move to. On the other hand, highlights such as “Played Yourself” show off Muni’s rap ability, proving Revenge is an R&B album with depth. —Amber Corrine
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‘Good Life’ – Ledisi
Image Credit: Listen Back Entertainment How does one follow up a stellar album singing covers of Nina Simone? For Ledisi, the task was rather simple with the mantra-filled project of Good Life. Etched with proclamations of self-love (“Good Life,” “Sell Me No Dreams”), quiet storm staples (“Choose Me” and the Kenny Lattimore-assisted track, “Perfect Stranger”), Ledisi’s 11th (!) album sounds just as fresh as her early material. “I have a God-given gift that heals, inspires, and soothes,” she shared with Ebony at the time of the album’s release in March. “As long as I have it and love what I do I will be obedient to my calling. I pray I get to do this beautifully all the way until the end.” Pulling us in with her effortless vocals, Good Life reminds us that today’s R&B doesn’t have to be drenched in despair or toxic love. Instead, we can light the candles and allow Ledisi to soundtrack the golden path ahead of us. — Desire Thompson
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‘Gravy Deluxe’ – BJ The Chicago Kid
Image Credit: RC Records BJ The Chicago Kid dropped Gravy Deluxe in October, nearly a year after the original LP. The latest version adds three tracks to the soulful album, which highlights the musician’s vocal talent, songwriting skills, and undeniable swagger and charm. With Yeti Beats on production, Gravy is purposely reminiscent of the 1970s-era R&B and soul à la Al Green. Rated R&B noted the album was recorded and produced live at Royal Studios in Memphis, where the veteran performer created the classic records “Let’s Stay Together” and “I’m Still in Love with You.” Standout moments on BJ’s LP include “Never Change” with legendary musician Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind & Fire and Ledisi, “Liquor Store In The Sky” featuring Freddie Gibbs, “Long Time,” “Who Cares,” and “Crazy Love” with Andra Day. — DeMicia Inman
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‘VANTABLACK’- Lalah Hathaway
Image Credit: Hathaway Entertainment Lalah Hathaway returned with an ode to Blackness in her eighth solo album, VANTABLACK. Released seven years after Honestly, the Grammy-winning album that blended hard-hitting lyrics with R&B vibes, VANTABLACK takes her artistry to new heights. This latest project is a bold celebration of empowerment, love, and pride in her Black identity.
The album opens up with the formidable single, “BLACK.,” a poetic anthem featuring bonafide lyricists Common and Rapsody. Hathaway’s soulful vocals set the tone, singing, “This is the story of a Black girl/I want everything VANTABLACK.” The reference to VANTABLACK—a pigment so dark it absorbs nearly all visible light—serves as a profound metaphor for embracing one’s depth and uniqueness. With its bold message and rich production by Phil Beaudreau, VANTABLACK earned a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Album in 2024, solidifying its place as an important work of art. — Ashley Foster
Listen: Apple Music | Spotify | Tidal
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‘Dopamine’ – Normani
Image Credit: RCA Records Normani’s long-awaited debut, DOPAMINE, is a mix of dirty south and smooth R&B. After hits like “Motivation” and “Wild Side” reeled in the demand for her solo journey, the former Fifth Harmony member has finally embarked on that trek. With tracks like the brass-heavy “Big Boy” and the Mike Jones-sampled track “Still,” Normani is clearly introducing listeners to her Houston and New Orleans roots. On other tracks like “Lights On” and the Brandy-co-written “Insomnia,” she shows her appreciation for nostalgic R&B, while still including a fresher sound here and there.
Besides a few unforgettable MTV VMA performances and live appearances, Normani’s reintroduction with DOPAMINE feels like she’s coming into her own. Upon the album’s release back in June, it entered Billboard’s Top R&B Albums chart at No. 30. — Amber Corrine
Listen: Apple Music | Spotify | Tidal
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‘Gap Year!’ – Laila!
Image Credit: IIIXL Studio On Laila!‘s Gap Year!, the 18-year-old songstress invites listeners into a life caught between obscurity and viral success. Her debut album draws upon the melodies, lo-fi production, and Gen Z sensibilities that made millions fall in love with her breakthrough track, “Not My Problem.”
Other familiar staples in the artist’s young catalog (see “Like That!”) are found on the LP and sit comfortably next to songs like “Want 2” and the ethereal deep cut “Could Be.” The beauty of Gap Year! lies in its trove of diverse sonics. While the album is predicated on an R&B foundation, Laila! employs sounds and compositions from across music genres, with elements of Hip-Hop, pop, and soul soundtracking her beautifully written and harmonized coming-of-age story. — Marc Antonio “Spidey” Griffin
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‘Birds Eye’ – Ravyn Lenae
Image Credit: Atlantic Recording Corporation On Birds Eye, Chicago-bred musician Ravyn Lenae is ambitious—delivering lush R&B songs and fun, pop moments, with alternative grunge and reggae-inspired experimentation. The 25-year-old’s signature falsetto gives power to vulnerable realizations and confident declarations as she navigates adulthood and all of its intricacies across 12 tracks. On the nearly 40-minute album, Ravyn Lenae proves she’s an artist willing to take risks without losing her authenticity and leaving listeners wanting more. Although the album can be played through with no skips, standout tracks include “Bad Idea,” “Genius”, “One Wish” featuring Childish Gambino, “Love Is Blind” “Pilot,” and “From Scratch.” — DeMicia Inman
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‘Drugs N’ Lullabies’ – Isaiah Falls
Image Credit: LVRS ONLY Isaiah Falls’ Drugs n’ Lullabies is a meditation on working-class soul music for the modern Florida man…or woman. It’s a Hip-Hop mélange of dreamy pop, subtle electronic beats, and delicate acoustic instrumentation that is somehow orchestral at the same time. The album ruminates on the trials of people trying to figure out how to love one another while keeping their sh*t straight. It is atmospheric—literally at times—using the sampled sound of wind and rain to highlight Falls’ impossible, incongruously soft countertenor and falsetto. With 20 million streams on Spotify, “Florida Baby” is the standout single, but don’t sleep on “Did I Lose You.” — George Chidi
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‘Love’s Letter (Deluxe)’ – Shaé Universe
Image Credit: Shaé Universe Shaé Universe is one of the best things from across the pond that stepped foot on American soil. Her voice is soothing and nurturing like honey and ginger. It’s smooth and sultry like a good whiskey. Arguably, she and her album, Love’s Letter (Deluxe), are the embodiment of a hot toddy.
On the surface, the 16-track album is a series of reflections stemming from a past relationship, but it’s more than that. This LP is for the lovers, the yearners, and the ones willing to do the work. It’s not a love letter in the traditional sense, but it’s more of a soundtrack to help one process emotional layers—the changes, the uncertainty, the distance, the isolation, the frustrations, the cycles, and the growth— from a place of love.
Love’s Letter is passionate, shameless, romantic, and submissive. Shaé uses neo-soul’s poetic and acoustic charm to breathe new life into the nostalgic genre. It’s one project that can stay on repeat. Whether you’re actively listening or not, it’ll resonate. — Mya Abraham
Listen: Apple Music | Spotify | Tidal
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‘CASSANDRA (cherith)’ – Andra Day
Image Credit: Warner Records Andra Day has had a successful pivot into acting since her 2015 debut album, but what we’re not gonna let you do is dismiss the masterpiece that is CASSANDRA (cherith).
Day’s sophomore LP was her first in nearly a decade and is her boldest, most personal project to date. Named after herself and the Biblical term that’s used to “signify the act of isolation as a means to become whole,” the album details how fed up she is with men playing with her heart. Beyond romantic love and the complexities associated with it, the sophomore album is somewhat of a love letter to God and her faith. Day told Revolt, “At the end of the day, my goal is really to love God and to be loved by God and to show people that everywhere I go.”
It’s disheartening that the album was seemingly drowned out in a cacophony of lower-caliber releases, doing it a disservice. There isn’t one particular element that ranks CASSANDRA (cherith) over others. It’s a combination of her album’s relatable rawness, crisp production, and fluid sequencing. The hiatus may have been lengthy, but she made sure to return with something to say and gifted us with something to make us feel. — Mya Abraham
Listen: Apple Music | Spotify | Tidal
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‘PARTYNEXTDOOR4 (P4)’ – PARTYNEXTDOOR
Image Credit: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Live Nation PARTYNEXTDOOR, in fans’ eyes, will always be competing with his classic past works. Unfortunately, that was over ten years ago, and listeners being so stuck in the past has hindered them from enjoying the strong efforts he’s put out since his debut. His fourth studio album, P4, seemingly cut through the nostalgia as he told a full story throughout the album while tapping into his early sonics. Moody, trap-influenced R&B records like “Cheers” and “Make It To The Morning” have quickly become candidates to join his canon; “No Chill,” arguably one of his best songs ever, is already there.
He put his penmanship, production genius, and ability to understand both men and women on full display in this project. The most impressive part was the fact that he had no features; he typically rolled out his albums with a single featuring Drake. But it was clear he didn’t want anything getting in the way of him detailing the drama between himself and his partner, attempting to have a threesome, the reality of losing a good woman, and leaning on his family when he feels alone. This may not be 14 versions of “Break From Toronto” or “Recognize,” but it’s very strong and worth a fair listen. — Armon Sadler
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‘Why Lawd?’ – NxWorries
Image Credit: Stones Throw Records Eight years after their collaborative debut album, Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge reemerged as NxWorries and gifted listeners with their latest Why Lawd? Issued in June, the album finds the producer-singer duo creating refreshing R&B and Hip-Hop fusion that oozes confidence but also uncertainty with themes such as celebrity status, monogamy and relationships, substance abuse, infidelity, and more. Through 19 tracks, the fellas bring out the best in one another. Knxwledge’s genius-level musicality and ambitious sample-flipping build the perfect arena for .Paak’s vocal talent, witty rhymes, and vivid storytelling. Standout musical moments include “KeepHer” featuring Thundercat, “Daydreaming,” “FromHere” featuring Snoop Dogg, and October London, and “WalkOnBy” featuring Earl Sweatshirt and Rae Khalil. — DeMicia Inman
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‘CASABLANCO’ – Marsha Ambrosius
Image Credit: Aftermath Records When headlines surfaced of Marsha Ambrosius crafting an album with Dr. Dre, it was great news with tempered expectations: the two artists had shown impressive chemistry on Dre’s 2015 album Compton, but the legendary producer is known to postpone or permanently shelve albums he works on. Thankfully, CASABLANCO was reportedly recorded in two weeks and dropped this summer. The album seamlessly merges the Head Doctor’s signature thump (implemented by him and in-house producers like Dem Jointz and Focus…), classical and jazz flourishes from a 27-piece orchestra, and satisfying references to hip-hop classics from Nas, Wu-Tang Clan, and Method Man. It makes for a full, theatrical setting for Marsha’s powerful, multi-octave voice being put to its seductive and, at times, scandalous best. — William E. Ketchum III
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‘FRANCIS’ – ESTA.
Image Credit: PARADIS ESTA. asserted himself as one of R&B’s go-to producers with his debut album, FRANCIS. He produced a handful of hits, including 21 Savage’s “should’ve wore a bonnet,” Kyle Dion’s “Cool Side Of The Pillow,” and his collaborations with Mack Keane, but FRANCIS was his way of saying, “I’m here.”
With the help of Keane, Tone Stith, PHABO, Arin Ray, Ambré, Joyce Wrice, Duckwrth, Leon Thomas, Kenyon Dixon, and more, the album hits listeners in different ways. “Too fast” is a funky bop that feels like something you’d hear at a day party or roller skating rink. “Feel safe” is more laid back like most of the album. It’s lo-fi R&B at its finest.
What really propelled the album to another level was the Leon Thomas-led “dangerous game.” Co-produced by ESTA. and Aidan Carroll, the single is a chilling account of how dangerous love can be. Admittedly, per an interview with Not 97, the album helped foster a new level of confidence for ESTA. who knew he could call upon whomever he wanted to create great music. With FRANCIS, he bet on himself and won. — Mya Abraham
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‘While We Wait 2’ – Kehlani
Image Credit: Atlantic Records While We Wait 2 was the sequel to 2019’s While We Wait and arrived just two months after their fourth studio album CRASH. It’s not been confirmed if the mixtape’s rapid turnaround was due to the mixed response to the audacious experiment that was CRASH, but While We Wait 2 catered to the familiarity fans were expecting from the album.
The brief rollout was spearheaded with the Lucky Daye duet, “When He’s Not There,” which delves into the perspective of the sneaky link wanting to be the primary partner. It also includes remixes for “After Hours” with LUDMILLA and “8” with FLO. Standout tracks include “S.I.N.G.L.E.,” which seamlessly samples Musiq Soulchild’s “143” and interpolates Brandy’s “Sitting Up In My Room;” “Know Better,” the long-awaited collaboration between Kehlani and Lil Mo’ that was initially teased in 2019; a 2024 fave “Slow Dance” featuring DIXSON— a