In a world that seems content with being in bed with the past, there was a lot of great music that dropped in 2025. R&B was a major genre that had some stellar releases. Amidst my internship, I was able to filter the best of the crop. From mainstays, newcomers, and legends galore. Everyone brought their A-game that year Idk if it was the water but they clearly made a mark in the R&B scene. So, without further ado, let's check out the best R&B songs this year picked by me

10. Rsieh Raxan - Here She Comes

There was a little controversy over a swagless artist who copied Rsieh Raxan's 2024 single Treat You Right. Aside from that, Rsieh had a low-key yet bouncy year filled with loosies. Here She Comes was the start of this run, featured on the deluxe album, Splint+. The jam boasts his own world of 2000s Neptune-influenced spatial bass grooves. With frequent collaborator 808toofly, it’s a match made in heaven. In typical Rsieh Raxan fashion, it makes you want to krump and moonwalk at the same time The dude is one helluva dancer, so I hope we'll see a major label backing sooner or later.

9. Journèe - Conditional

To underground R&B heads, you might be familiar with her appearing on Jahkoy's 2023 album, Pretty Conversations with the duet cut "Stringing You On". The Bay Area songstress airy, spice cake-laden vocals were such a standout that I had to delve deep. And lo behold led me to this track in Q1 2025. The way she approached the song is succinct. She sings that she hopes things remain conditional. The beat is moody yet isn't wobbly but rather saccharine in subtle shifts in melodic progression. Journèe really does her thang on this

8. Brent Faiyaz - Full Moon (Fall In Tokyo)

I know that we're all pissed at this nigga for ICON being MIA It's a shame but I feel he went 4/5 on the loosies in 2025. "Tony Soprano", "Have To", and "if. (Spring in New York)". However, I feel this one is definitely the strongest of the bunch. It's classic Brent: the bragadaccio nonchalant lyrics, cerebral production, and of course the deadpan angelic vocals. "Look at the sky/The moon shining bright/I wish I could stay here for life ---> I wish I could stay here"; the hook matches the aforementioned starry silence into the 808 cerebral rattling. It's not toxic Brent, but rather romantic Brent which if ICON drops will be a welcome change of pace

7. Corey Lingo - Cold Sweats

I always call him the Sunset Prince but to many, he's the Plugg N B God . This year was a great run for him starting with a short yet sweet EP, Go Where From Here. And later returning with the real album: Safe 2 Say. Many are used to the golden hour, Code Lyoko digital slop beats that he is known for but in arguably the best song on Safe 2 Say, he does the unexpected: an acoustic-influenced track. "Cold Sweats" is a gorgeous, chilled song that is about his vulnerability over loss after a breakup. His vocal performance is heartfelt and conflicted as he questions whether he’s doing the right thing moving on from her
The ATL representative evokes a young Jesse McCartney but with a slight Plugg N B twist. You hear tiny bits of Plugg N B sonics throughout but it's dominated by the sunset-coded live instrumentation of guitars and drums. An excellent song that'll make you break out in cold sweats every time.

6. Natanya - Sofa Joy

Hot take: The UK R&B scene right now is the best at continuing the late 90s-early 2000s American R&B sound, but of course, with its emphasis on UK Street Soul. It’s amazing to see these artists get some love in the past couple of years (Ex. Essosa, Flo, Ojerime, etc.) and this year, the scene did not disappoint I have been smitten by my girl Natanya, especially. I first heard of her in 2023 with "Raining Tomorrow" and she's been on my watchlist ever since. Her 2nd album, Feline's Return has been an era of elegance and quirkiness. "Sofa Joy" is a worthy addition to my list as its Bossa Nova riddim and nimble vocals are enchanting. As she sings "It’s forever, never" like she's a reincarnation of Amerie. Such a summertime, feel-good track that gives you a rush of dopamine

(Continued)

5. Tiffany Evans - Would You

I have an admiration when Teen R&B singers evolve. Some have crashed and burned. Others hit a wall and never recovered. It's a rarity when there's one who had up and downs yet finally finds their pocket. Tiffany Evans has found her lane: Sexy & Mature. As per usual, her fantastic singing aids the songs crescendo. She croons on if she gave her man the choice to go up & down, round & round, or for a spin Of all the songs on this list, this one is perhaps the most traditional sounding. It recalls Early 90s hi-tech R&B and appears to have a Jodecidal groove. Tiffany Evans has finally found a sound that comforts her and will land any of you R&B heads a "promise ring" to her new sound.

4. Rochelle Jordan - Doing It Too

Rochelle Jordan has been a Canadian titaness in the Toronto sound for years. Her last album, Play With The Changes(2021) pushed her into the raging 2020s, complete with an expansive Electronic-R&B fusion. This time, she returned and delivered another fashion killer of a record: "Doing It Too". The House infused production oozes with chromatic explosion. It’s in your face: no apologies, no rules. Rochelle doesn't vocally overpower the beat, but she skates over it with a ethereal delivery. Now, she does get playful with it as she reminds that boys will be boy and girls will be girls. But that the girl should do what she gotta do in this cold world

Her vocal performance makes the song catchy. It just reminds me that the modern Electronic/Dance landscape is missing that classic 2-step swagger. Thanks to Rochelle Jordan, she is able to restore that old school House sonic with a modern twist.

3. Nourished By Time - Tossed Away

There have been discussions of Post-R&B, a genre that redefines the sonic confounds of its parent. Artists such as Dijon, Mkgee, and Nourished By Time are credited for being major contributors of this style. Yet, NBT seems to be one that is intrinsically linked to Black music's past. His wobbly vocals are if Nate Dogg and Dean Blunt had a son whose melodies mirror egg donor, Coko of SWV. Add some punk-tinged, alternative fusion sonic choices and you get one of the best albums of this year: The Passionate Ones. There was too many dope songs to choose from but one stood out, "Tossed Away". As an excellent songwriter, his verses read like poetry as he asserts his need to not be tossed away: "And I heard a song/Been at it, chasing unicorns/And I'm waiting on the horn/You said you wanted a path, so I thought but you just looked at me"

The man laments his past trauma but is still reaching for her. The production has that soulful, punkish lullaby that would make Larry Blackmon of Cameo proud as hell
It's definitely the most emotional soul stirring of the album. Plus, a good showcase for the future of Post-R&B.

2. Jenevieve - Head Over Heels

Singing over a classic, underground NY Rap track G.Dep's "Head Over Wheels"; Jenevieve really flexes out her fly-girl lyricism. She mentions going dizzy in love, which shows everytime she yearns "You're All I Need/....Sugar " it sounds so cutesy and yes, sugary As aforementioned, the beat makes you want to nod your head. Her producer, Elijah Gabor, flips the instrumental over it's head by expanding on it's jazz-funk origin. A perfect song to play in your car during those late night drives as you see the stars shining down on your exteriors. I'm shocked that she got this cleared and thank god she did cause the way everything flowed was perfection.

1. Ari Lennox - Vacancy

Ari Lennox's leave from Dreamville was messy. Lack of promotion, weird song choices, and contractual disagreements plagued the end of her time at the label. At first, the post-Dreamville songs were rough ("Soft Girl Era") but it started to click when I heard, "Vacancy". Produced by Jermaine Dupri and Bryan Michael-Cox, the team laced with one of the best beats of the year. Sample-R&B at it's best can be such a creative success and "Vacancy" does a masterful job at establishing a 70's Influenced Window Pain vibe. Ari sultry delivery and her freakiness, as demonstrated: "Got some water on the rug, made it flood/
Maybe you could use your tongue, likе a plug"
Takes the song to new heights of blackberry incense and whip cream on your body
From what I hear from this and "Under The Moon", we might have a crazy album on our hands

Well, that was the Top Ten ya'll

It's been a while since I post here but I was very busy with life and surgery, but everything is better now

Glad to be in the new year with ya'll

Deleting comments

Responding to your previous comment, yes I dissed you

@xxxkiraxxx @Oblivion99 @BIGGWAVE @Sir_Swagalot @Ultimate_Warrior @CliCity @Jbreezyondeck @HavenPB @degenwokemoralist @Brave @knova @2words @Mac_Wit_Da_Cheese @tomonthekeys @Water_Giver @Vox

Thanks for tagging brodie

Ima tune in fs

I got you

Would have to sit down and make a list. 2025 had a lot of good rnb

Jenevieve

Good list, no just a crime mo?

What song was that?

Don′t ask me stupid questions, you know I've been tossed.

brother you forgot me

OP doing the lord’s work as always

I didn't forget ya cause I know you bout to come in regardless

Oh that one

It was a decent song. Just wasn't in my orbit at the time

@Throkaaa @Zoobooks @MikesVeryOwn @Cole2

@browser @Mastiff @Valentine @RVI

@TUNDRAIV @AvenueJones @Beach_kneega

@vicesvotive

Yes it did

Curious what were yours?

appreciate the tag brother. some from last year

Chadwick Bossman wife

and I don’t really care what genre it is, this woman goated

just realized I prefer my R&B from mostly women and that’s okay haha

The top 2, no complaints

Natanya made the cut, I'm happy

Soft Girl Era could've been great. I just think the lyrics were dogshit and the hook will age like milk. Thankfully, Vacancy is amazing. Ari never lost it