The 90s and 2000s were a golden era for R&B and soul music, with countless talented black male singers leaving their mark on the industry.
These artists attracted audiences with their incredible voices and paved the way for future generations of musicians.
In this blog post, we’ll take a trip down memory lane and celebrate the top 37 black male singers who dominated the airwaves during this unforgettable period.
These performers delivered some of the decade’s most iconic songs, from silky smooth ballads to upbeat dance hits.
Join us as we pay tribute to the legends who shaped the sound of a generation and left an unforgettable impact on the music world.
90s Black Male Legends
1. R. Kelly
R. Kelly’s “I Believe I Can Fly” and “Bump N’ Grind” became anthems of the 90s, showcasing his vocal range and songwriting skills. His contributions to R&B and pop music helped shape the decade’s sound, inspiring countless artists who followed in his footsteps.
- Genre: R&B, Pop
- Years Active: 1992–present
- Major Songs: “I Believe I Can Fly,” “Bump N’ Grind”
2. Usher
Usher’s “You Make Me Wanna” and “My Way” showcased his smooth vocals and dance moves, making him a standout performer of the 90s. His impact on R&B and dance music can still be felt today, with many artists citing him as a major influence on their work.
- Genre: R&B, Pop
- Years Active: 1993–present
- Major Songs: “You Make Me Wanna,” “My Way”
3. Brian McKnight
Brian McKnight’s “Back at One” and “Anytime” became staples of the 90s, thanks to his smooth ballads and impressive vocal range. His vocal prowess and songwriting skills helped establish him as one of the premier R&B singers of the decade.
- Genre: R&B
- Years Active: 1988–present
- Major Songs: “Back at One,” “Anytime”
4. Ginuwine
Ginuwine’s “Pony” and “Differences” showcased his unique sound and dance moves, making him a fan favorite of the 90s. His style and stage presence helped set him apart from other artists of the time, cementing his place in R&B history.
- Genre: R&B
- Years Active: 1996–present
- Major Songs: “Pony,” “Differences,” “In Those Jeans”
5. D’Angelo
D’Angelo’s “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” and “Brown Sugar” helped usher in the neo-soul movement of the 90s. As a neo-soul pioneer, his influence can be heard in the work of countless artists who followed in his footsteps.
- Genre: Neo-Soul, R&B
- Years Active: 1991–present
- Major Songs: “Untitled (How Does It Feel),” “Brown Sugar”
6. Seal
Seal’s “Kiss from a Rose” and “Crazy” showcased his distinctive voice and crossover appeal, making him a global star. His unique sound and style helped him stand out from other artists of the time, earning him a loyal fan base that continues to this day.
- Genre: Soul, Pop, R&B
- Years Active: 1987–present
- Major Songs: “Kiss from a Rose,” “Crazy”
7. Keith Sweat
Keith Sweat’s “Nobody” and “Twisted” helped define the new jack swing era of the 90s. His contributions to the new jack swing movement helped shape the sound of R&B music throughout the decade.
- Genre: New Jack Swing, R&B
- Years Active: 1975–present
- Major Songs: “Nobody,” “Twisted”
8. Tyrese
Tyrese’s “Sweet Lady” and “How You Gonna Act Like That” showcased his smooth vocals and romantic ballads. His successful transition from music to acting helped pave the way for other artists looking to branch out into different forms of entertainment.
- Genre: R&B
- Years Active: 1994–present
- Major Songs: “Sweet Lady,” “How You Gonna Act Like That”
9. Maxwell
Maxwell’s “Fortunate” and “Lifetime” helped establish him as a leading figure in the neo-soul movement. His continued success in neo-soul has inspired countless artists who have followed in his footsteps.
- Genre: Neo-Soul, R&B
- Years Active: 1991–present
- Major Songs: “Fortunate,” “Lifetime”
10. Joe
Joe’s “I Wanna Know” and “Stutter” showcased his smooth vocals and romantic ballads, making him a favorite among R&B fans. His contributions to the R&B genre helped shape the decade’s sound, cementing his place as one of the top black male singers of the 90s.
- Genre: R&B
- Years Active: 1992–present
- Major Songs: “I Wanna Know,” “Stutter”
11. Eric Benét
Eric Benét’s “Spend My Life with You” and “Love of My Own” showcased his smooth vocals and romantic ballads, making him a standout performer of the 90s. His contributions to the R&B genre, with his heartfelt lyrics and soulful delivery, helped solidify his place as one of the top black male singers of the decade.
- Genre: R&B
- Years Active: 1994–present
- Major Songs: “Spend My Life with You,” “Love of My Own”
12. Case
Case’s “Touch Me, Tease Me” and “Happily Ever After” became fan favorites thanks to his emotional and relatable lyrics. His ability to connect with audiences through his music helped establish him as a prominent figure in the R&B world.
- Genre: R&B
- Years Active: 1992–present
- Major Songs: “Touch Me, Tease Me,” “Happily Ever After”
13. Johnny Gill
Johnny Gill’s “My, My, My” and “Rub You the Right Way” showcased his powerful voice and passionate delivery. His contributions to the New Edition group and his successful solo career helped cement his status as an R&B legend.
- Genre: R&B
- Years Active: 1982–present
- Major Songs: “My, My, My,” “Rub You the Right Way”
14. Donell Jones
Donell Jones’ “Where I Wanna Be” and “U Know What’s Up” exemplified his smooth and soulful R&B style. His music helped define the sound of 90s R&B with his romantic lyrics and silky vocals.
- Genre: R&B
- Years Active: 1996–present
- Major Songs: “Where I Wanna Be,” “U Know What’s Up”
15. Tevin Campbell
Tevin Campbell’s “Can We Talk” and “I’m Ready” highlighted his youthful voice and heartfelt songs. His success at a young age inspired many aspiring singers and helped pave the way for future generations of R&B artists.
- Genre: R&B
- Years Active: 1988–present
- Major Songs: “Can We Talk,” “I’m Ready”
16. Lenny Kravitz
Lenny Kravitz’s “It Ain’t Over ’til It’s Over” and “Fly Away” showcased his unique blend of rock and funk. His genre-bending style and musicianship helped him stand out from other artists of the time, earning him a devoted fan base.
- Genre: Rock, Funk, Soul
- Years Active: 1989–present
- Major Songs: “It Ain’t Over ’til It’s Over,” “Fly Away”
17. Babyface
Babyface’s “Whip Appeal” and “Every Time I Close My Eyes” highlighted his singing, songwriting, and production skills. As a prolific songwriter and producer, Babyface’s influence can be heard in countless R&B and pop hits throughout the 90s and beyond.
- Genre: R&B, Pop
- Years Active: 1976–present
- Major Songs: “Whip Appeal,” “Every Time I Close My Eyes”
18. Jaheim
Jaheim’s “Put That Woman First” and “Fabulous” exemplified his modern soul sound and smooth vocals. His unique blend of traditional R&B and contemporary soul helped him discover a niche in the music industry during the early 2000s.
- Genre: R&B
- Years Active: 2000–present
- Major Songs: “Put That Woman First,” “Fabulous”
2000s Black Male Dominators
19. Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo’s “So Sick” and “Miss Independent” dominated the charts in the 2000s, showcasing his songwriting skills and vocal talent. His chart-topping hits and songwriting abilities helped shape the sound of R&B in the 2000s, inspiring many artists who followed in his footsteps.
- Genre: R&B, Pop
- Years Active: 1998–present
- Major Songs: “So Sick,” “Miss Independent”
20. John Legend
John Legend’s “Ordinary People” and “All of Me” became instant classics, highlighting his incredible vocal talent and piano skills. His soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics helped him stand out in the 2000s, earning him a devoted fan base and numerous accolades.
- Genre: R&B, Soul
- Years Active: 2000–present
- Major Songs: “Ordinary People,” “All of Me”
21. Chris Brown
Chris Brown’s “Run It!” and “Forever” showcased his impressive dance moves and R&B crossover appeal. His success in dance and R&B genres helped him become one of the most influential artists of the 2000s.
- Genre: R&B, Pop
- Years Active: 2005–present
- Major Songs: “Run It!,” “Forever”
22. Mario
Mario’s “Let Me Love You” and “Crying Out for Me” became fan favorites thanks to his youthful voice and catchy tunes. His contributions to the R&B genre helped solidify his place as one of the top black male singers of the 2000s.
- Genre: R&B
- Years Active: 2001–present
- Major Songs: “Let Me Love You,” “Crying Out for Me”
23. Trey Songz
Trey Songz’s “Can’t Help but Wait” and “Bottoms Up” exemplified his status as a modern R&B star. His smooth vocals and sexy lyrics helped him become one of the most popular R&B artists of the 2000s.
- Genre: R&B
- Years Active: 2003–present
- Major Songs: “Can’t Help but Wait,” “Bottoms Up”
24. Akon
Akon’s “Lonely” and “Smack That” showcased his unique voice and global appeal. His worldwide success and collaborations with various artists helped him become a major force in the music industry.
- Genre: R&B, Hip-Hop
- Years Active: 1996–present
- Major Songs: “Lonely,” “Smack That”
25. Jason Derulo
Jason Derulo’s “Whatcha Say” and “Ridin’ Solo” highlighted his pop-R&B hybrid sound. His catchy hooks and dance-friendly beats helped him become a mainstream success in the late 2000s.
- Genre: Pop, R&B
- Years Active: 2006–present
- Major Songs: “Whatcha Say,” “Ridin’ Solo”
26. Craig David
Craig David’s “Fill Me In” and “7 Days” exemplified his UK garage and R&B crossover appeal. His unique sound and success helped introduce the UK garage to a wider audience and paved the way for future British R&B artists.
- Genre: R&B, UK Garage
- Years Active: 1999–present
- Major Songs: “Fill Me In,” “7 Days”
27. Lloyd
Lloyd’s “Southside” and “Get It Shawty” showcased his youthful voice. His contributions to the R&B genre helped establish him as a rising star in the 2000s.
- Genre: R&B
- Years Active: 1996–present
- Major Songs: “Southside,” “Get It Shawty”
28. Anthony Hamilton
Anthony Hamilton’s “Charlene” and “Can’t Let Go” showcased his deep, soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics. His raw, emotional delivery and classic soul influences helped him stand out in the R&B world, earning him critical acclaim and a devoted fan base.
- Genre: R&B, Soul
- Years Active: 1992–present
- Major Songs: “Charlene,” “Can’t Let Go”
29. Omarion
Omarion’s “Ice Box” and “Post to Be” highlighted his solo success after his time with the group B2K. His smooth vocals and dance moves helped him become a prominent figure in the R&B world during the 2000s.
- Genre: R&B
- Years Active: 1998–present
- Major Songs: “Ice Box,” “Post to Be”
30. The-Dream
The-Dream’s “Shawty is a 10” and “Falsetto” exemplified his songwriting skills and distinctive vocal style. As a talented songwriter and producer, his influence can be heard in numerous R&B hits throughout the 2000s and beyond.
- Genre: R&B, Pop
- Years Active: 2001–present
- Major Songs: “Shawty Is a 10,” “Falsetto”
31. Tank
Tank’s “Maybe I Deserve” and “Please Don’t Go” showcased his strong vocals and emotional songs. His powerful voice and heartfelt lyrics helped him become a respected figure in the R&B community.
- Genre: R&B
- Years Active: 1996–present
- Major Songs: “Maybe I Deserve,” “Please Don’t Go”
32. Ja Rule
Ja Rule’s “Always on Time” and “Livin’ It Up” highlighted his successful fusion of hip-hop and R&B. His collaborations with various artists and unique style helped him become a major force in the music industry during the early 2000s.
- Genre: Hip-Hop, R&B
- Years Active: 1993–present
- Major Songs: “Always on Time,” “Livin’ It Up”
33. Bobby Valentino
Bobby Valentino’s “Slow Down” and “Tell Me” showcased his smooth R&B sound. His contributions to the R&B genre helped establish him as a notable artist in the 2000s.
- Genre: R&B
- Years Active: 1996–present
- Major Songs: “Slow Down,” “Tell Me”
34. Nelly
Nelly’s “Hot in Herre” and “Dilemma” exemplified his crossover success in hip-hop and R&B. His ability to blend different genres and catchy hooks helped him become a mainstream success in the early 2000s.
- Genre: Hip-Hop, R&B
- Years Active: 1993–present
- Major Songs: “Hot in Herre,” “Dilemma”
35. J. Holiday
J. Holiday’s “Bed” and “Suffocate” highlighted his romantic ballads and smooth voice. His soulful delivery and heartfelt lyrics helped him stand out in the R&B world during the late 2000s.
- Genre: R&B
- Years Active: 2006–present
- Major Songs: “Bed,” “Suffocate”
36. Musiq Soulchild
Musiq Soulchild’s “Love” and “Halfcrazy” showcased his neo-soul style and heartfelt lyrics. His unique sound and introspective songwriting helped him become a respected figure in the neo-soul movement.
- Genre: Neo-Soul, R&B
- Years Active: 1998–present
- Major Songs: “Love,” “Halfcrazy”
37. Pharrell Williams
Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” and “Frontin'” highlighted his innovative production skills and distinctive voice. As a producer, songwriter, and artist, his influence can be heard in countless hit songs across various genres, cementing his status as a music icon.
- Genre: R&B, Hip-Hop, Pop
- Years Active: 1994–present
- Major Songs: “Happy,” “Frontin'”
Conclusion
From the iconic ballads of Brian McKnight and Joe to the dance-floor anthems of Usher and Chris Brown, these artists showcased the incredible diversity and talent within R&B and soul music.
Their influence can still be felt today as new generations of singers continue to build upon the foundations they laid.
Whether you’re a long-time fan or just discovering these artists for the first time, their music remains a timeless testament to the power of great songwriting, unparalleled vocal abilities, and sheer star power.
So, put on your favorite track, close your eyes, and be transported back to an era when black male singers ruled the airwaves.
