Top R&B Male Singers of the Music Industry

 

At this period in music history, several outstanding R&B singers male emerged and helped establish its distinctive sound and identity. These vocalists are well known for blending jazz, blues, hip-hop and soul into their performances with strong voices known for blending jazz, blues, hip-hop and soul elements into each performance. 

Over time R&B has evolved as experts combine classic R&B rhythms with more contemporary rhythms in order to produce innovative works of R&B art.

What Is R&B Music?

 R&B stands for rhythm and blues music, first popularized among African Americans during World War II in their neighborhoods. Since that time it has encompassed elements from pop, gospel music, blues music and jazzy jazz with infectious beats as its primary components.

Vocal arrangements are elegant and luxurious; while music has its own recording production technique.

Male R&B artists have written some of the greatest songs ever heard, making an invaluable contribution to popular music history.

 This list features iconic figures in this genre such as Ray Charles and Lionel Richie as classic R&B pioneers to modern superstars Curtis Mayfield from 1970's chart toppers like Curtis Mayfield as modern superstars; these acts all set an important standard that led future artists. 

Stevie Wonder was known to transcend genre boundaries while remaining true to himself while becoming role models to future musicians alike.

Stevie Wonder

He was born Stevland Hardaway Judkins on May 13, 1950 in Saginaw, Michigan and showed musical ability shortly thereafter. As his singing voice changed as he aged and pursued piano lessons at University of Michigan School for the Blind before making a comeback in 1965 with "Uptight", becoming more widely recognized under his full stage name Stevie Wonder thereby cementing him into one of America's premier musicians.

Popular Songs by Ray Charles include 1961's Tribute to Uncle Ray

·         1972 Talking Book and Inner Visions are highlighted. Additionally, Fulfillingness' First Finale took place.

·         Songs in the Key of Life was first published by Arcade Publishing Company in 1977.

·         Do Not Worry Over Something Now.

·         70's "Yours (Signed, Sealed and Delivered)"

·         Grammy Awards of 1977, 1975 and 1974 for Album of the Year

·         1985 Academy Award Winner for Original Song Composition.

·         1999 Kennedy Center Honors

·         1996 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient

·         1996, 1975 and 1974 Grammy Award recipients for R&B Song

·         1985 Golden Globe Awards For Original Song.

·         1987 Grammy Award for the Best Pop Performance with Vocals

·         In 1977, they won a Grammy Award as Producers of the Year Non-Classical.

Marvin Gaye on Marvin Gaye

American singer, songwriter, and record producer Marvin Pentz Gay Jr. was widely revered during his two decade music career from Motown/R&B scenes through soul/R&B genres to soul/R&B genres before tragically passing away April 1, 1984; leaving millions around the globe an irreplaceable musical legacy in his timeless sound and voice.

Popular Radio Songs Written on 1973 (Let's Get It On and United et.al). Live at London Palladium 1977

She attended and graduated with honors from College of the Holy Cross before forming a band and writing four songs; garnering multiple awards such as 1968's You Are All I Need (What's Going On, You Are All I Need, In the Groove Awards ) which saw her playing all five roles at one time (You are All I Need (What's Going On, You are all I Need, In the Groove Award); winning her an Academy Lifetime Achievement Award (1996 as a result.).

·         1988 NAACP Image Award and Hall of Fame Award.

·         1971 NAACP Image Award for Album.

·         1983 Grammy Award for Male R&B Vocal Performance.

·         1983 Grammy Award for R&B Instrumental Performance

·         American Music Award (AMA) for Favorite Soul/R&B Single.

Lionel Brockman Richie Jr

He was widely revered for his incredible versatility as an artist - as singer-composer-album-producer-media personality and album producer/media person he seamlessly mixed multiple musical genres, such as funk soul rhythm and blues with emotive ballads while remaining iconic among male R&B iconography. Here he can be seen making an appearance.

·         Popular songs from 1985 include We Are the World and Hello Can't Slow Down.

·         1981 featured Endless Love; 1986 hosted Say You, Say Me (with Melinda) while 1978 Three Times A Lady: Natural High was produced.

·         1977 Easy: At The Commodores Awards, Grammy won his Song of the Year Award.

·         2022 American Music Awards Icon Award.

·         1985 Grammy Award for Producer of the Year Non-Classical

·         1985 Grammy Award for Album of the Year

·         1986 Golden Globe Awards For Original Songs.

·         2014 BET Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients

Michael Joseph Jackson (@mikeJackson8)

Michael Joseph Jackson was an iconic musician, composer, dancer, and humanitarian who defied racial stereotypes while shattering records and revolutionizing the music industry. Considered one of the 20th century's most significant figures - often called by fans "The King of Pop" - his songs forever altered music production and promotion practices.

Popular Songs: @82 Beat It-Thriller @Billie Jean @Thriller Megamix for Megamix in 1991 garnered much praise, as did (1979 - Rock With You in 1981 and 1991's (Will You Be There On) Will You Be There. These tracks earned him various honors including his 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award.

·         1996: Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals

·         1983 Award of Merit for Variety/Music Program Performance.

·         Performance in a Music Special or Series (1994).

·         Award given out since 1996.

·         1989 British Video of the Year Winner.

 Steve Lacy of Steve Lacy Construction Company

Steve Thomas Lacy-Moya has become known for his groundbreaking guitar skills and celebrated solo work including "Bad Habit". Since its first streaming platform appearance, its success has skyrocketed resulting in worldwide exposure for this song that first surfaced online streaming platforms and has seen unprecedented attention since release.

2023 Grammy Award for Progressive R&B Album won by C U Girl 2023: Dark Red 2023 and Static 2024 became top songs, specifically: Hold On Hive Mind (in 2018 and 2023 respectively); Bad Habit; Infrunami (both 2022); Dark Red (2023; 2015 and 2016 releases respectively), Infrunami (2024-2025), Static (2023); Give U the World (2023; Give U Girl/2022), Special Affair, Give U the World.

·         2023 Grammy Award for Outstanding Progressive R&B Album

·         2022 Artist of the Year Nominee

·         2023 - Honorary Breakthrough Artist Award

·         2023 - UK Music Video Awards for International Best R&B/Soul Video

·         2023 - Ralph Tresvant New Edition took home the Grammy Award for Male Lead Singers of R&B Groups

Male Lead Singers in R&B Groups

Ralph Edward Tresvant

Best known as lead vocalist of legendary R&B group New Edition and later solo artist Ralph Tresvant is an award-winning American musician and composer best known for his four decade tenure with New Edition as its lead singer as well as platinum certified sales with his solo album Ralph Tresvant after transitioning into solo work; after transitioning into solo work he achieved platinum sales of this solo work album "Ralph Tresvant." 

Continuing to dazzle audiences worldwide through both integral membership of New Edition as an integral member as solo artist Ralph Edward Tresvant continues enthrallment through exceptional talent that continues enthrallment while musical contributions that continue enthrallment continue!

Aaron Hall-Guy.

Aaron Robin Hall III is an international singer-songwriter of Caribbean heritage who first rose to fame through Guy, an influential R&B and modern jack swing band he co-founded alongside Teddy Riley and Timmy Gatling during the late '80s. Later his brother Damion Hall also joined; upon completion Aaron began his solo career by releasing "The Truth" as one of R&B male artists during that era.

Teddy Riley

 Of Blackstreet can be widely credited with pioneering modern jack swing, an amalgamation of R&B and hip hop musical genres. Riley founded both Guy and Blackstreet's musical groups before creating another named Blackstreet later that same year.

Raphael Saadiq stars as Tony! Toni! Tone! in Tony Toni Tone!.

It was formed in Oakland, California by Raphael Saadiq during the late '80s/early 90s by Raphael Saadiq who served as its lead vocalist/guitarist/music composer/songwriter with songs written specifically for them becoming platinum records during this era of R&B popularity.

Jason

 "Jase" Oliver Dalyrimple of Soul For Real (formerly Jase4Real) remains one of its core members and an R&B music scene figurehead, but is also working towards his next single record release; 2016 witnessed both Soul For Real's single release "Love Again", as well as Jase's self-release titled "If You Feelin' Like Me".