The 25 Best R&B Songs Of 2024

“Smoke” – Ari Lennox

Image Credit: Dreamville/Interscope Records

Ari Lennox‘s “Smoke” sounds like nothing on the radio right now. The 1960s Motown-inspired number produced by Bongo is jam-packed with lively drums, cheerful horns, and an infectious chorus, with Ari asserting that she’s protecting her peace.

Lennox, who has had public spats folks after setting her boundaries, takes a humorous approach to the song’s lyrics. Ari flips the “f**k around and find out” mantra into a call to arms. “Save all your f**ks for me/I want all the smoke/Save all your f**ks for me/Better not give that sh*t away,” she sings passionately with the tone of someone who knows their worth. “Smoke” demonstrates Lennox’s growth as an artist. She’s elevated her craft with inspiration from R&B greats while actively using it to protect her peace. — Marc Antonio “Spidey” Griffin

“Met You At A Bar” – Jaz Karis & Tone Stith

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We had a bevy of British R&B beauties drop soulful singles and full-lengths this year: Raye, Jorja Smith, Ella Mai, Tiana Major9, Sasha Keable, Lola Moxom – hell, even Sade returned! South London lass Jaz Karis gave us some seductive soul when her debut album, Safe Flight, dropped in September. This is most exemplified in the single “Met You at a Bar,” which also features vocals from Jersey soulster Tone Stith. Over a saucy-but-smooth, mid-tempo groove filled with bluesy guitar licks, Karis and Stith assume the roles of swinging singles who vocally lay out their prospective, no-strings-attached romance. While Stith doesn’t want feelings to get caught, Karis knows it’s coming – but she’s willing to roll with the punches. A slinky, cynical number for our situationship-filled society. — Craig D. Lindsey

“Please Don’t Fall In Love With Me” – Khalid

Image Credit: RCA Records

Khalid may not be the huge sensation he was when he broke out, but “Please Don’t Fall In Love With Me” was a swift reminder of why people fell in love with his music in the first place. He employed a welcome cheat code by sampling Alicia Key’s “Unthinkable” chorus at the beginning of the track and getting into a half-sing, half-rap delivery in the verses. His own hook is soft, airy, and enchanting to the point where a listener may forget he is encouraging the opposite of love. That’s the painful reality of R&B and its adjacent offerings; listeners come to love content that is anything but romantic, but you can’t help but play this track more than once. Even if it hurts. — Armon Sadler

“YOU DON’T KNOW” – Ambré Feat. Alex Isley

Image Credit: Roc Nation Records, LLC

Ambré called on the vocal talents of Alex Isley for “YOU DONT’ KNOW,” a piece of her 2024 mixtape i do this sh*t in my sleep. The New Orleans-bred talent released the project not only as a definitive album after years of work but also as a collection of demos to set the tone for what’s to come: a self-proclaimed “greatest album of all time.” 

“YOU DON’T KNOW” opens the 6-track project and rightfully commands attention. The sultry track finds the two singers hoping to conjure a mutual attraction with a love interest. Throughout the two-minute track, Ambré and Alex Isley are driven crazy over fantasies of the future and what could be if only their crush would take the hint. — DeMicia Inman

“Attention” – Bryson Tiller

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This standout from Bryson Tiller’s self-titled April 2024 project perfectly captures what it feels like when tensions are rising. The lyrics on “Attention” make any woman feel like she’s the only one in the room with a spotlight on her. Above all Bryson’s earnest delivery makes the listener believe every word. The captivation is in the song’s details, as the Kentucky crooner sings about how tall his muse’s heels are, the material of her dress, the way the light shines on her beauty. “Attention” shows off Tiller’s observant pen. It’s the reason why many fans fell in love with his early music. — Regina Cho

“Fear When You Fly” – Cleo Sol 

Image Credit: Forever Living Originals

Every decade or so, God blesses us with an artist whose talent is completely undeniable. Their vocals and artistry cause an otherworldly sensation within—a kind of spiritual exultation. In this instance, that is Cleo Sol. While she debuted before the 2020s, her presence on a track is the stuff of legend. And on “Fear When You Fly,” you hear why. The cut is drenched in gospel overtones with Cleo making a spiritually defiant stance. She renounces being seen as “broken” and instead places her faith in God to carry her. Info laces the track with an airy disposition, allowing Sol to soar lyrically without fear of failing.

So, grab some tissues. This track is one of them ones. — Marc Antonio “Spidey” Griffin

“BUTTERFLIES” – Isaiah Falls Feat. Joyce Wrice

Image Credit: LVRS ONLY

Isaiah Falls is captivated by love in “BUTTERFLIES” featuring Joyce Wrice. The song is featured on the Orlando, Fla. native’s 2-song EP LUCKY ME, alongside the cuffing season-friendly track “HAVE MY BABIES.”  Together, the artists set the perfect atmosphere for a romance that takes each lover out of their element. Isaiah’s delicate crooning waltzes through high and low notes with Joyce adding a warm woman’s touch. With its length standing at under three minutes, “Butterflies” awakens the pleasure of an effervescent romance built to last forever. — DeMicia Inman

“Same Mistake” – DESTIN CONRAD, Alex Isley

Image Credit: Above Ground Entertainment

Released at the top of 2024, “Same Mistake” still has a grip on our hearts. Despite the dizzying loops of a topsy-turvy love, Conrad makes it almost enticing to tickle our Achilles heel with an inadequate love affair. Alex Isley shines in this collab as well, with their vocals almost a perfect match in R&B heaven. The track even got the bounce edit treatment by maestro DJ Cory Townes, boosting our serotonin to another level. Conrad’s star continued to shine this year with his SUBMISSIVE Tour,  a guest spot on Kehlani’s Crash World Tour, and the recent release of his new single “Nosebleed.” With Conrad being the most consistent new vocalist in the game, his upcoming album will only continue to break our hearts in the best way possible. — Desire Thompson 

“Something We Can Make Love To” – Eric Benét Feat. Tamar Braxton

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R&B is so back. Earlier this year, Eric Benét returned to music-making after a 10-year hiatus and teased a duets project with the sultry number “Something To Make Love To” featuring Tamar Braxton. While their vibrant personalities have run up views on TikTok and television, Benét and Braxton let the world know they are still sangers through and through. The lead single, penned by Tricky and Laney Stewart, is for mature audiences only — and those with a deep appreciation for timeless R&B. The sweet yearning. The suggestive wordplay. The ‘tween-the-sheets seduction. The eye-popping video. (A little commotion for Braxton’s little ensemble and Benet’s pearls as well.) This R&B rendezvous has it all. Another round, please. — Adelle Platon

“Centigrade” – Gallant Feat. NAO

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“Centigrade” unites the incomparable vocal talents of Gallant and NAO to musically personify a once-blooming romance that may not survive a rough patch to enter a new season. The collaboration is featured in Gallant’s 2024 ZINC album which he described as “something special” to VIBE earlier this year. The poetic lyrics in the Ariza-produced song beautifully emote the cold feelings while sharing a glimmer of hope that the warmth returns. The singers’ voices beautifully float over the instrumental with lush harmonies and climactic notes creating an R&B diary entry relatable to many. — DeMicia Inman

“Persuasion” – Bryson Tiller Feat. Victoria Monét

Image Credit: RCA Records

Bryson Tiller and Victoria Monét’s “Persuasion” is a sultry, fun, and spicy collaboration that blends smooth R&B with an uptempo Hip-Hop beat. The song’s lyrics reflect a playful, seductive back-and-forth, with Victoria singing, “He’s staring at me like he want this persuasion/And I’m lookin’ right back at him like I want some of that decision tonight.” Their voices capture the tension between two people who are lusting for each other but haven’t quite crossed that line yet. The song’s vibe is flirtatious, with an alluring rhythm that builds anticipation.

Tiller’s emotive delivery contrasts perfectly with Monét’s powerful, yet silky vocals. Their harmonies on the chorus perfectly mirror the push-and-pull dynamic of attraction between two people, making it a hit R&B song of the year. “Persuasion” hails from Tiller’s self-titled album, and although it could be considered a sleeper, it’s also a standout track that showcases creativity with wordplay. — Amber Corrine

“SOS (Sex On Sight)” – Victoria Monét Feat. Usher

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Ever since Victoria Monét attended the penultimate show of Usher’s Las Vegas residency in 2023, fans begged for a collaboration between the two, and thus, “SOS (Sex On Sight)” was born. It was very apropos for this siren and heartthrob to create a song about sex. Produced by Camper, the sultry jam’s about the urgency of desire and what exactly we’d expect from a Victoria-Usher duet. Her double entendres and warmth, paired with his seductive falsetto, made for the perfect soundtrack when you want to cut the games and get to the goods.

On the charts, the record was a slow burn among fans. It only peaked at No. 12 on the Hot R&B Songs chart and No. 38 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. However, just like foreplay, it was intended to be an appetizer and not the main course. — Mya Abraham

“Lucid Dreams” – Leon Thomas ft. Masego

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Have you ever felt like you couldn’t let go of a lover and had no idea why? Leon Thomas and Masego collaborated on a song that perfectly fits the situation. “Lucid Dreams” finds the musicians crooning about women they can’t seem to let go of despite their best efforts to move on. Leon is adamant about distancing himself from a woman but changes their breakup to a “break” to satisfy his addiction. Temperate guitar plucks straddle a woozy and distorted keyboard arrangement as he admits defeat in the face of a lustful yearning as haunting as a recurring dream. And while letting go can be difficult, “Lucid Dreams” proves that it happens to all of us—even Grammy-award-winning musicians. — Marc Antonio “Spidey” Griffin

“I Found You” – PJ Morton

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Most of PJ Morton’s Cape Town To Cairo was inspired by afrobeats and amapiano, but then came PJ in classic form on “I Found You.” The heartwarming ballad has been described by the crooner as “the new wedding song.” It’s soothing, secure—just like love is supposed to be—and came to him as easy as Sunday morning. 

When creating the song, the melody stuck in PJ’s head and soon after “it just started to write itself.” It proved to him that no matter where his expectations are or aren’t, love will always find a way to show itself. Within his pantheon of love songs, “I Found You” is up there with “First Began,” “Say So,” and “How Deep Is Your Love.”   —M. A.

“Saturn” – SZA

Image Credit: Top Dawg Entertainment

SZA’s songwriting ensures her songs have layers that listeners can peel back over time, giving her music the depth that R&B lovers cherish. “Saturn” can be interpreted in many ways; it represents one’s thoughts about escapism and wanting to live in a different reality, why bad things happen to good people, or her “Saturn return.” SZA’s heartfelt vocals over the twinkly instrumental evoke emotion and leave listeners asking, “What is this all really for?”

“Saturn” is also up for Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance category at the upcoming Grammy Awards and cracked the top 10 on the Billboard 100. With its potent message coupled with commercial success, SZA’s pen has garnered her another timeless record.

“Ruined Me” – Muni Long

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If Muni Long’s “Ruined Me” wasn’t the latest single from an album called Revenge, you might mistake the song for typical R&B heartbreak fare. (It was certainly loved by fans and climbed to the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart last month.) Muni sings beautifully, per usual, listing off symptoms of a breakup: crying and insomnia. But by the third line, we see Muni more clearly, as she sings, “Laying in the bed in my diamonds/ I still wear my ring.” The woman is hurt, but man, is she fabulous. And what’s most intriguing about the track is the realization that Muni just might be in the final stages of her villain arc, slinking around the room while she transforms from brokenhearted to heartbreaker. “‘Cause if a heart’s gon’ get broken, it won’t be mine…After you,” she croons before delivering that last part like a slightly sinister “you first” at a door she’s holding open. It’s calculated, fun, and not what you’d expect. — Melanie Sims

“Residuals” – Chris Brown

Chris Brown’s “Residuals” is a deeply reflective and emotionally charged song that explores the lingering after-effects of breaking up with someone you thought you’d spend a lifetime with. Chris, in all of his vulnerability, sings about faded memories between a past lover and himself—unclear if it’s based on a true story. Its minimalist beat and smooth rhythm complement the rawness of Breezy’s lyrics, allowing his vocal performance to take center stage. As he delves deeper into the song, there’s a sense of longing for that old thing as he sings: “Tryna put a muzzle on my crazy feelings/ One minute I’m cool and then the next, I’m tripping, no/ With somebody new, I swear she don’t deserve this/ We’re still on my mind, she’s still on my mind.” 

“Residuals” is a fan favorite from his eleventh studio album 11:11 and truly allows Chris Brown to get back in his R&B heartthrob bag—the one that fans fell in love with upon his 2005 debut. – Amber Corrine

Listen: Apple Music | Spotify | Tidal

“One Of Them Ones” – Usher

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Getting Usher on a D’Mile track was long overdue. Although Coming Home wasn’t as well-received as the crooner expected, it had several gems. “One Of Them Ones” was definitely one of them ones. It’s reminiscent of the love songs you’d hear on the Quiet Storm when someone would dedicate songs from the radio to the object of their affection. While that level of intention isn’t limited to heteronormativity these days, Usher has once again made a love song for the ages—but we really have his wife, Jen, to thank for it. 

Had it not been for the love they share, who knows if this song would have existed? “When I used to hear those love songs/ I would turn them off ’cause that ain’t what I was on/ Until I found the one that I can take home,” he sings in the first verse. The record is heartfelt and sweet and makes you want to dedicate it to someone. R&B was losing that sense of sincerity. Leave it to Usher to reel it back in.  —M. A.

“Slow Dance” – Kehlani feat. DIXSON

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DIXSON and Kehlani go together like mac and cheese and yams on Thanksgiving. Yes, they’re powerful on their own, but they have an undeniable impact when they’re together. After he wrote and produced a healthy part of Kehlani’s Crash, they dropped the passionate duet, “Slow Dance” on Kehlani’s mixtape, While We Wait 2. You’re immediately lured in— unaware of what to expect. The record promptly builds tension like Sanaa Lathan and Denzel Washington in Out of Time. Keh sings, “Slow down, slow dance/ Control my hands/ I want to dance the night away with you, my love…” Your mind could double-dutch processing that as PG-13 or rated R, but you quickly realize that this isn’t child’s play. 

The yearning continues as DIXSON paints a vivid picture of his intentions, sending chills down your spine. He concludes his verse in a lower register and declares, “Tryna f**k my soulmate tonight/ ‘Cause you’re my baby/ Baby, lose control tonight.”

“Slow Dance” is downright hypnotizing as though they were trying to outdo each other on how transfixing it is to talk someone through it. If they aimed to make baby-making music, then mission accomplished.   —M. A.

“Burning” – Tems

The simple and vulnerable record is a shining example of Tems’ ability to evoke emotion through her music. “Burning” explains how the Nigerian singer felt as she initially navigated fame, and in retrospect, realized “we are all going through something,” she said in an interview with Apple Music. Of the song’s potent message, she explained, “‘Burning’ is really about understanding that I have my triggers, too, and now I know that I’m not alone. There’s many people that have felt the way I do about not wanting to be seen, not really being used to attention and people trying to take advantage of you in many different ways.”

The stripped-down production by GuiltyBeatz allows her pen, relatability, and voice to take center stage. Her song’s lyrics cut deep to anyone who needs to feel like someone else understands. — Regina Cho

“Nasty” – Tinashe

Image Credit: 2024 Tinashe Music Inc., under exclusive license to Nice Life Recording Company

Tinashe’s “Nasty” was not only one of the songs to soundtrack the summer, it was also her first Billboard Hot 100 entry in eight years. And the milestone signaled a long overdue awakening for the R&B pop star. The track, released in April with eye-catching visuals and an earworm for a hook, was amplified by multiple viral trends. Notably dance moves were popularized and made meme-worthy after X user @grruessome edited the song over a previously uploaded video of TikTok user Nate Di Winer and a partner dancing hip-to-hip, as well as the quest for equally matched freaks.

The song’s lyrics are borderline raunchy without being overtly vulgar yet sultry enough to have no mystery about the California native’s intent. Slick innuendos and outright demands matched with Tinashe’s charming, melodic delivery created a party-ready anthem for listeners to plant their nasty flags. A cosign from the original “Nasty” singer Janet Jackson—who interpolated Tinashe’s track with her 1986 single of the same name on stage—solidified the Gold-certified song as a career-high for Tinashe, who cited the veteran pop star as her “ultimate reference” in an interview with Rolling Stone.  — DeMicia Inman

“Heart Of A Woman” – Summer Walker

Summer Walker‘s “Heart of a Woman” is an evocative ballad that channels a  woman’s strength and emotional resilience. The song opens with the poignant line: “Only thing that’s saving you is the heart of a woman,” encapsulating the central theme of seeing someone’s potential despite their falling short on their promises. Co-written with David “Dos Dias” Bishop and produced by Tavaras Jordan, the song gives nostalgic ’90s R&B vibes—the perfect backdrop for Walker’s signature smooth vocals. From the very first beat, listeners are transported into an emotional narrative that captures the roller coaster feelings called love.

In the opening verse, Walker contemplates her mixed emotions, singing: “Wanna give up on you but, damn, I know I can’t /I put the blame on me for giving you chance after chance.” The pre-chorus and chorus hit even harder, as she acknowledges her pain while clinging to hope and giving her reasons behind tolerating the toxicity: “In love with you, but can’t stand this/And I try to be strong but how much can I take?/ Put your words on your life this time and I hope your as** ain’t lyin’ ‘cause/ Only thing that’s saving you/Is the heart of a woman.” 

“Heart of a Woman” is set to live on Walker’s third studio album Finally Over It—the next chapter in her album trilogy. While there’s no release date yet, the track is a clear sign that the Grammy-nominated singer is still carrying R&B on her back. – Amber Corrine

Listen: Apple Music | Spotify | Tidal

“Here We Go (Uh Oh)” – Coco Jones

Image Credit: 2024 Def Jam Recordings, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.

Coco Jones is the walking definition of rich, decadent vocals and her 2024 single “Here We Go (Uh Oh)” proves this. She triggers listeners’ nostalgia by sampling Lenny Williams’ “Cause I Love You,” the same track flipped on Twista’s “Overnight Celebrity” and tells the story of cyclical toxic love. No matter how badly she wants to love someone else, she can’t get her old lover out of her head and he knows the power he has over her. The track’s production creates a cinematic feel that allows the listener to picture her spiraling in her bedroom because she knows she’s caught up. It’s another example of a relatable song that sounds beautiful on the surface but cuts deep in reality. Her vocal runs show her full range of emotions; She belts at times and delivers softer tones at others. And hey, for all the complaints about there being no bridges or pre-choruses in R&B, she gives all of that. “Here We Go (Uh Oh)” has a refreshing classic feel to it blended with a modern love story that Millennials and Gen Z can all relate to. – Armon Sadler

 “After Hours” – Kehlani

Image Credit: Atlantic Records

Kehlani survived the wave of sample culture by constantly taking that familiarity and making it their own. From using Ginuwine’s “So Anxious” on 2014’s “Get Away” to this summer when they flipped Cordel “Scatta” Burrell’s “Coolie Dance Rhythm”— which was popularized in Nina Sky’s “Move Ya Body” — on “After Hours.”

“After Hours” was the introduction to CRASH, Kehlani’s fourth album which was described as their “most free, most fun, most loud, most fueled so far.” The single was an ironic but timely leap from someone who once “hated the club,” but now was outside with this record being one of this summer’s anthems. 

Not only was the single a symbol of freedom and fun, it also represented that feeling of fleeting love at the club. The intimacy of moments like that was also heightened on the “After Hours – Cater 2 U” remix. 

The mashup using the “After Hours” lyrics and Destiny Child’s “Cater 2 U” melody went viral on TikTok and completely changed how the song feels by bringing its lyrics to life: “We don’t gotta take it slow […] The way you touch my neck got me ready to fold…” Kehlani merged the juxtaposing vibrations while on tour and it further solidified just how much of an impact both records had on R&B this year.  —M. A.

“MUTT” – Leon Thomas

Image Credit: UMG

By many standards, the term “mutt” can be considered derogatory. In the case of Leon Thomas, he reclaimed its connotation as a means of self-awareness. 

While exploring his newfound singledom, “MUTT” (the song and album) was created to explore “the balance between control and chaos” as he began to notice the similarities between himself and the dog he was gifted while in that relationship. He toes the line of being a selfish player with good intentions, but as the song suggests, his inner dog won that battle—but not the war. 

The D. Phelps and Freaky Rob-produced song sampled Enchantment’s 1977 classic “Silly Love Song” and coincidentally, that’s what “MUTT” is— a silly love song. He audaciously champions his role as a dog, but his heart remains pure. “But I’ll let my guard down for you […] So you can break my heart if you want to,” he sings, noting that he may be an old dog, but for the right woman, he’s willing to learn new tricks—even if it means getting his heart broken again.

Though the record was snubbed repeatedly— no Grammy nods, no chart-topping acknowledgments, or RIAA certifications—it deserved all of the above for giving fans the chance to embrace the duality of having dog-like tendencies while still choosing to love again. —M. A.