Looking back at 2021, the year treated R&B fans to a smorgasbord of the genre’s variety of styles from classic and contemporary R&B/soul to alternative/progressive with infusions of rap, jazz, funk and Afrobeats. Just as wide-ranging were the artists who left their own indelible stamps on the year, running the gamut from established stars to promising rookies and influential OGs.
Here are Billboard’s 10 best R&B albums of 2021.
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Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, 'Jam & Lewis: Volume One'
For the first joint album in their 40-year career, Jam & Lewis called on prior collaborators to record an impeccably produced, melodic set that conjures up nostalgic and contemporary R&B/soul vibes. Beyond its two Adult R&B Songs hits, “He Don’t Know Nothin’ Bout It” with Babyface and “Somewhat Loved” with Mariah Carey, the album brims with appealing turns by Mary J. Blige, Usher and more. It’s proof positive this OG production duo still knows its way around a good song. — G.M.
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Jorja Smith, 'Be Right Back'
After the breakout success of Jorja Smith’s debut studio album, 2018’s Lost & Found, her fans have been clamoring for more for a few years. Smith’s Be Right Back EP delivered the perfect prescription to hold them over until the next proper full-length. The project offers glimpses of expanding soundscapes, as she sings over more experimental song structures on tracks such as “Home.” Smith’s silky vocal chops remain strong throughout all eight tracks… once again, leaving fans clamoring for more. — E.P.
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Charlotte Day Wilson, 'ALPHA'
Charlotte Day Wilson, Billboard’s June R&B/Hip-Hop Rookie of the Month, followed the honor in early July with ALPHA, an 11-track soother that excites as the Canadian singer’s first full-length. Taking inspiration from classic R&B and soul, the 28-year-old’s deep, sensual and emotion-bursting vocals shine through and take center stage on standout tracks like “Keep Moving” and “Mountains.” — EJ Panaligan
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Masego, 'Studying Abroad: Extended Stay'
From an interpolation of 112’s “Anywhere” on the track “Bye Felicia” to rhythmic jam “Mystery Lady” featuring Don Toliver, Masego thoroughly captivates listeners with his progressive style of R&B. The soulful, eight-song project, which features guest artists Shenseea and Sheléa, finds Masego exploring his love life and addressing his fear of becoming vulnerable. With subtle infusions of jazz and Afrobeats flowing throughout, Studying Abroad: Extended Stay is the perfect vibe for a scenic drive. —D.A.
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Silk Sonic, 'An Evening with Silk Sonic'
Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak became 2021’s swoon-worthy dynamic duo on their band’s debut album. The aesthetic of An Evening with Silk Sonic exists between a jam session and an upscale gentlemen’s club, where Mars’ buttery-smooth tenor vocals glide over .Paak’s period-appropriate instrumentation to recreate the R&B and soul of yesteryear. With the guidance of funk connoisseur Bootsy Collins, Silk Sonic leaves the door open for a new classic. — Heran Mamo
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Lucky Daye, 'Table for Two'
Lucky Daye dropped a silky-smooth seven-song EP to celebrate women while taking R&B back to its truest form. Over minimal production, the New Orleans-bred singer partnered with several of his female R&B peers — Yebba, Ari Lennox and Joyce Wrice — to create soulful duets exploring love’s highs and lows through the male and female perspective. Among the more insightful takeaways: “How Much Can a Heart Take” with Yebba, “On Read” featuring Tiana Major9 and the Lennox-assisted “Access Denied.” — C.L.
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H.E.R., 'Back of My Mind'
H.E.R.’s 21-track debut album — up for album of the year and best R&B album in the 2022 Grammy derby — is a engaging listen that demonstrates her stellar vocal and instrumental skills. Opening with the heartfelt “We Made It,” the nearly 90-minute set soon delves into the heartbreak and hopefulness that come with love on tracks such as “Closer to Me” and “Damage.” Accenting the album’s intimate, hip-hop infused R&B vibe are features from Ty Dolla $ign, Cordae and Lil Baby. — Darlene Aderoju
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Giveon, 'When It's All Said and Done... Take Time'
A broken relationship goes through many stages, and Giveon’s 2021 compilation album, When It’s All Said and Done… Take Time, captures the complex phases of love and loss, eloquently revealed by the R&B crooner through thoughts most often left unsaid. Some stages serve as a prelude to the inevitable separation, as described on “Favorite Mistake,” while others come as a surprise — long after we think we’ve moved on. Trap R&B sounds are used sparingly, creating room for echoing electric guitar, bold bass lines, live drums and Giveon’s raw, baritone voice. This is a heartfelt ode to what mainstream R&B once was. — Neena Rouhani
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Summer Walker, 'Still Over It'
On her highly anticipated sophomore album, Summer Walker is, well, still over it. Recruiting fellow rising R&B stars such as SZA and Ari Lennox, the artist uses the 20-song effort to airs her grievances with ex-lovers — one of whom had a hand in producing a good portion of the album. Still Over It is stripped-down R&B, relaying Walker’s hard-won journey through heartbreak and then the healing process. As she sings on the SZA-assisted standout “No Love,” “Come to find out you wasn’t even worth my time/ Tried to act like I wasn’t good enough in your eyes/ Funny now that you callin’, that you ringing my line/ Why the hell is you ringing my line?” — Cydney Lee
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Jazmine Sullivan, 'Heaux Tales'
Jazmine Sullivan confidently strode back onto the scene after a six-year recording hiatus with the illuminating and timely Heaux Tales. Using spoken-word interludes drawn from real-life female conversations, the singer-songwriter wove together eight songs that dissect such themes as sexuality, gender politics, love/heartbreak and empowerment in a mission to uplift women navigating within a still male-dominant society. On the Grammy-nominated kiss-off anthem “Pick Up Your Feelings,” Sullivan’s warm, rich tone eschews self-pity to instead hold her ex accountable. She also bonds with fellow sisters-in-song H.E.R. and Ari Lennox on the insightful tracks “Girl Like Me” and “On It,” respectively. “Women are really standing in their confidence and power now,” said Sullivan after her concept album’s January release. “I wanted to add to that.” And she did with her most ambitious — and most satisfying — project to date. — Gail Mitchell