[2026] A Collection of Popular R&B Songs in the U.S. [Beginner-Friendly]

FantasyNEW!Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey – Fantasy (Official 4K Video)

A quintessential masterpiece of the 1990s, marked by an exhilarating beat right from the intro! Sung by the global diva Mariah Carey, this track blends a sample from Tom Tom Club with her versatile vocals to create sublime pop R&B.

It depicts a sparkling crush, where feelings for an unrequited love blossom in daydreams, filling you with positive energy just by listening.

Released as a single in August 1995, it’s famous as the lead track from the classic album Daydream.

At the time, it became the first single by a female artist to debut at No.

1 on the U.S.

charts and went on to dominate the top spot for eight consecutive weeks—a remarkable feat.

It’s the perfect song to lift your spirits when you want to blow away your worries, or as a soundtrack for a drive!

SnoozeNEW!SZA

SZA – Snooze (Official Video)

SZA, a commanding presence in today’s R&B scene.

This song, arguably her signature track, won “Best R&B Song” at the 2024 Grammy Awards.

Riding on a sweet, dreamy melody, the lyrics—expressing intense fixation and devotion to a partner—grip listeners and don’t let go.

Though originally included on her December 2022 album SOS, it went on to become a long-running hit and was rolled out to radio as a single in April 2023.

The music video features Justin Bieber as her love interest, and its romantic visuals also sparked plenty of buzz.

It’s perfect for a relaxing time with someone special, or for nights when you want to fully sink into your feelings.

Be sure to check it out.

Confessions Part INEW!Usher

Usher – Confessions, Pt. II

Usher, an R&B star who continues to captivate the world with his overwhelming prowess in dance and vocals.

He enjoys immense popularity in Japan as well, and on his landmark album Confessions, which symbolizes the peak of his career, this track serves as the opening chapter of the story.

Released in March 2004, the album achieved an astonishing global sales figure of over 20 million copies, and this song plays a crucial role in laying bare his own mistakes and secrets.

Produced with his close collaborator Jermaine Dupri and others, the track is a superb slow jam imbued with tension and sensuality.

Its dramatic development leads seamlessly into the following songs, so if you want to savor narrative-rich, deeply textured R&B, be sure to listen to the album from start to finish.

PoisonNEW!Bell Biv DeVoe

Bell Biv DeVoe – Poison (Official Music Video)

Bell Biv DeVoe, a pioneering group that spun off from New Edition and brilliantly fused hip-hop and R&B.

Their signature track “Poison,” released in 1990, remains enduringly popular.

With lyrics that liken sweet temptation to “poison” and a hard-edged beat crafted by Dr.

Freeze, it stands as a milestone of New Jack Swing.

It became a record-breaking hit, peaking at No.

3 on the U.S.

charts and earning RIAA Platinum certification.

The album of the same name, Poison, is also highly acclaimed as a classic, and this frequently referenced track in films and TV is indispensable for understanding the history of R&B.

Highly recommended when you want to get hyped or enjoy dancing.

The Boy Is MineNEW!Brandy&Monica

Brandy & Monica – The Boy Is Mine (Official Video)

Do you know the classic that captivated the world in the late 1990s R&B scene with an incredibly dramatic storyline of two divas clashing over one man? Teenagers at the time, Brandy and Monica collaborated on this single released in 1998, which held the No.

1 spot on the U.S.

charts for 13 consecutive weeks.

The thrilling lyrics, in which they each insist “He’s mine,” and the refined mid-tempo track create a palpable tension that can only be described as top-tier entertainment.

A Grammy-winning hit, it remains an enduring R&B classic and a signature track from Brandy’s album Never Say Never.

When you’re in the mood to savor the push-and-pull with a romantic rival, there’s no song more perfect.

So SickNEW!Ne-Yo

Ne-Yo – So Sick (Official Music Video)

This R&B ballad captures the pain of a deep heartbreak—so intense it makes even love songs on the radio unbearable.

Over a wistful acoustic guitar track, Ne-Yo’s smooth, honeyed vocals resonate.

Realistic details, like being unable to delete the ex’s voicemail, tighten the listener’s chest.

Included on the 2006 album “In My Own Words,” this early signature work propelled his name to worldwide fame.

It also drew attention in May 2025 for surpassing 1 billion streams.

While it carries the atmosphere of its era, it remains a timeless classic that continues to comfort many.

Perfect for cold winter days or quiet nights when you want to sink into your feelings alone.

Cranes in the SkyNEW!SOLANGE

Solange – Cranes in the Sky (Official Video)

Although she is Beyoncé’s younger sister, Solange has earned high praise for her own unique artistry.

This song, which poignantly sings of trying to fill an inner void through shopping and travel, is included on the album “A Seat at the Table,” released in September 2016.

Co-produced with Raphael Saadiq, its minimalist sound, stripped of flashiness, quietly seeps into the listener’s heart.

Lauded by critics, it won Best R&B Performance at the Grammy Awards in February 2017.

The music video, like a work of art, is also a visually captivating piece.

It’s recommended for those who want to reflect in the quiet of the night or are seeking refined R&B.

Be sure to check it out.