Popular R&B: Western Music Artist Rankings [2026]

SoftLucky Daye36rank/position

Lucky Daye – Soft (Live Performance Video)

This is a track that modernly reinterprets old-school R&B, highlighted by silky vocals.

The song explores the impact of love on people and the importance of embracing vulnerability.

It encourages listeners to enjoy what society might label as “soft,” without shame.

Released in May 2024, the track is included on the album Algorithm, slated for release in June of the same year.

It’s drawing attention as a song that showcases a new facet of Lucky Daye’s musicality.

Packed with the appeal of a powerhouse artist with 11 Grammy nominations and one win, this is a piece to surrender to—rich with emotion—and perfect for a quiet night spent with someone special.

BreakoutSwing Out Sister37rank/position

Swing Out Sister – Breakout (Official Music Video)

An iconic song that epitomizes the radiant synth-pop of the ’80s arrives from the British group Swing Out Sister.

Its exhilarating rhythm, brass section, and strings weave a sophisticated sound that brilliantly fuses synth-pop with jazz elements.

Conceived by band member Corinne Drewery while she was hospitalized after a riding accident, the track was released in September 1986 with an uplifting message, achieving a stellar performance of No.

4 in the UK and No.

6 in the US.

Featured on the album “It’s Better to Travel,” it also earned two Grammy nominations.

Breathing new life into disco, this track is perfect for nighttime drives or anytime you want to lift your spirits.

Call Out My NameThe Weeknd38rank/position

The Weeknd – Call Out My Name (Official Video)

This is a song whose beautiful melody, filled with deep sorrow and poignancy, resonates with the heart.

Released in March 2018 and peaking at No.

4 on the Billboard Hot 100, it is known as one of The Weeknd’s signature tracks.

The lyrics delicately capture the pain of heartbreak, and the unique high-tone vocals weave an emotionally rich world that many listeners relate to.

Coupled with its minimal production, it becomes a striking piece that leaves a deep impression on those who hear it.

It’s recommended not only for those troubled by love, but also for anyone who wants to quietly immerse themselves in music on a calm night.

PUSH 2 STARTTyla39rank/position

Tyla – PUSH 2 START (Official Music Video)

This is a track by Tyla, the South African artist who drew global attention with her 2024 Grammy win.

Featured on the deluxe edition Tyla+, an expansion of the acclaimed album Tyla, the song explores equality in romantic relationships.

With lyrics that tell a partner, “If we’re going to start something, show your worth through actions,” the confident protagonist comes vividly to life.

Its cool, smooth sound with Amapiano influences is perfect for a summer evening drive.

Maybe the secret to the best relationships is lifting each other up.

Why not take a positive step forward, believing in your own worth, while listening to this track?

SOS (Sex on Sight)Victoria Monét40rank/position

Victoria Monét, USHER – SOS (Sex on Sight) (feat. USHER) (Audio)

Grammy-nominated, powerhouse singer-songwriter Victoria Monét drops a sexy, playful R&B number.

The American artist has crafted hits for industry heavyweights, including Ariana Grande’s “Thank U, Next.” For this track, she welcomes R&B icon Usher as a guest, channeling an urgent physical and emotional longing—so intense it’s likened to a rescue from a natural disaster.

Released in August 2024, the song serves as the lead single from the deluxe edition of the album Jaguar II.

Romantic and timeless, it’s a perfect recommendation for anyone nursing a bittersweet end-of-summer crush.

Can’t Stop the MusicVillage People41rank/position

Village People – Can’t Stop The Music – 20-7-1980 • TopPop

From the late 1970s to the 1980s, the Village People enjoyed worldwide popularity with their catchy disco music.

They released many classic songs everyone knows, such as Y.M.C.A., covered by Hideki Saijo, and Go West, covered by the Pet Shop Boys.

The song introduced here is the theme for the 1980 musical film Can’t Stop the Music, which centers on the Village People.

Although the film received dismal reviews, many people may be reminded of those days when they hear this track.

The catchy melody that repeats the title is great, isn’t it?

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I Love The NightlifeAlicia Bridges42rank/position

Alicia Bridges – I Love The Nightlife (1978)

The birth of a song that epitomizes the golden age of disco came in 1978.

Alicia Bridges, an American artist, delivered a dazzling dance number that vividly portrays a woman heading to the dance floor to mend a broken heart.

Infused with elements of Memphis soul, the track peaked at No.

5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and gained popularity around the world, including in Australia and the Netherlands.

It has been featured on numerous soundtracks and continues to be cherished across generations, appearing in films such as 1979’s Love at First Bite and 1994’s Priscilla.

It’s a song you can genuinely enjoy when you feel like cutting loose on the dance floor.