The Best R&B and Soul Music of 2016

A look at the best R&B and soul music of 2016. From new artists to classic soul, this is the best of what 2016 had to offer.

The Best R&B and Soul Music of 2016

The year 2016 has been an excellent year for R&B and Soul music. We have seen the return of some legendary artists and the emergence of some new stars. The best R&B and Soul music of 2016 has something for everyone. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best R&B and Soul music of 2016.

The Best R&B Albums of 2016

There were so many incredible R&B and soul albums released in 2016, it was hard to narrow down the list to just 10. From powerhouse vocalists like Beyoncé and Solange to soulful singer-songwriters like Michael Kiwanuka and Anderson .Paak, there was a little something for everyone. Here are our picks for the best R&B and soul albums of 2016.

The Best Soul Albums of 2016

Here are our favorite soul albums of 2016, presented in alphabetical order.

A Seat at the Table by Solange
This is one of the most stunning and comprehensive albums about black womanhood that we’ve ever heard. With gorgeous production and songwriting to match, A Seat at the Table is a triumph.

Lemonade by Beyoncé
Queen Bey dropped one of the most talked-about albums of the year with Lemonade, a masterfully crafted work that touched on everything from infidelity to southern pride to black power. Not to be missed.

Today by Raphael Saadiq
R&B veteran Raphael Saadiq proves he’s still got it with Today, a throwback to the classic soul sound of the 60s and 70s. Absolute perfection from start to finish.

What a Time To Be Alive by Tank and the Bangas
This New Orleans-based band brought their unique brand of soulful hip-hop to the masses this year with What a Time To Be Alive. Uplifting and fun, it’s an album that will make you dance and think in equal measure.

The Best R&B Songs of 2016

It’s been a tough year, but the best R&B and soul songs of 2016 have provided a much-needed balm for the soul. From Chance the Rapper to Beyoncé, these are the tracks that have gotten us through.

“Formation” – Beyoncé
Few songs captured the zeitgeist quite like Beyoncé’s “Formation.” Released just ahead of her now-legendary Super Bowl performance and her headlining Coachella spot, “Formation” was an anthemic call to arms, a love letter to blackness, and a southern banger all rolled into one. It was also one of the few songs that could get everyone from your mom to your cousin to your coworker singing along. In short, it was everything we needed in 2016.

“No Problem” – Chance the Rapper feat. Lil Wayne & 2 Chainz
Speaking of anthems, Chance the Rapper’s “No Problem” was another one of 2016’s most exhilarating tracks. A message of triumph in the face of adversity, “No Problem” finds Chance trading verses with Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz over a booming horns-and-drums instrumental courtesy of Kaytranada. It’s loud, it’s rambunctious, and it’ll leave you feeling like you can take on anything life throws your way.

“Sneakin'” – Drake feat. 21 Savage
Drake’s “Sneakin'” is a lesson in minimalism done right. Over a minimalist trap instrumental courtesy of London on da Track, Drake and 21 Savage offer up some of the most perfectly understated verses of their careers. Drake in particular is at his wiliest here, playfully mocking his haters with lines like “I’m hidin’ my face cause I don’t want no problems.”

“I Know There’re Gonna Be (Good Times)” – Jamie xx feat. Young Thug & Popcaan
Jamie xx’s “I Know There’re Gonna Be (Good Times)” is nothing short of a summer classic. Featuring guest verses from Young Thug and Popcaan set to a carefree tropical instrumental, it’s a track that effortlessly evokes feelings of sunshine and good vibes. If this isn’t the perfect song to blast out your car windows on a sunny day, we don’t know what is

The Best Soul Songs of 2016

If there’s one thing that 2016 has been good for, it’s the resurgence of soul music. From Solange to Anderson .Paak, these are the best soul songs of the year.

The Best R&B and Soul Artists of 2016

It’s been a great year for R&B and soul music, with a number of artists releasing fantastic music. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at some of the best R&B and soul artists of 2016. We’ll be considering a range of factors, including the quality of the artist’s music, their popularity, and their critical reception.

The Best Male R&B Artists of 2016

R&B is short for rhythm and blues. Soul is a genre of R&B that came out of the African-American experience in the United States. Both genres are deeply rooted in the African-American experience and culture, and both have been incredibly influential in shaping popular music as a whole.

There are a lot of great R&B and soul artists out there, but these are some of the best of 2016.

1. Khalid
Khalid is a 19-year-old singer and songwriter from El Paso, Texas. His debut album, American Teen, was released in March of 2017 and includes the singles “Location” and “Young Dumb & Broke”. Khalid’s music has been described as “a distinctly millennial mix of hip-hop, R&B, pop, and electronic dance music.”

2. SZA
SZA is a 27-year-old singer from St. Louis, Missouri. She released her debut album, Ctrl, in June of 2017. The album includes the singles “Drew Barrymore” and “Love Galore” featuring Travis Scott. SZA’s music has been described as having “a unique mixture of elements from R&B, neo soul, alternative R&B, hip hop, and cloud rap.”

3. Daniel Caesar
Daniel Caesar is a 22-year-old singer and songwriter from Toronto, Canada. He released his debut album Freudian in August of 2017. The album includes the singles “Get You” featuring Kali Uchis and “We Find Love”. Daniel Caesar’s music has been described as “soulful”, “mature beyond his years”, and “reminiscent of D’Angelo or Maxwell.”

4. Sampha
Sampha is a 28-year-old singer from Morden, England. He released his debut album Process in February of 2017. The album includes the singles “Blood On Me” and “(No One Knows Me) Like the Piano”. Sampha’s music has been described as being “heartfelt”, “emotional”, and having a “soulful falsetto.”

The Best Female R&B Artists of 2016

There’s no doubt that 2016 was a tumultuous year, but through it all, the music kept us going. From Kendrick Lamar’s searing indictment of police brutality to Beyonce’s empowering anthems of Blackness, this year’s crop of R&B and Soul music was as political as it was personal. It was a year for reflections on love and loss, celebrations of Black joy, and calls for justice. In short, it was a year for the history books.

And at the center of it all were the women of R&B and Soul. From established superstars like Rihanna and Solange to newcomers like Anderson .Paak and Gallant, these artists used their platform to speak their truths, challenge societal norms, and create music that will stand the test of time. Here are our picks for the best female R&B and Soul artists of 2016.

Rihanna
The undisputed queen of R&B, Rihanna had a banner year in 2016 with the release of her long-awaited eighth studio album Anti. The lead single “Work” dominated the charts for weeks on end, while tracks like “Needed Me” and “Kiss It Better” showcased Rihanna’s unrivaled vocal prowess. But it was her collaboration with Drake on “Too Good” that cemented her place as one of the best R&B artists of 2016. With its sultry lyrics and hypnotic beat, “Too Good” is a standout track on an already stellar album.

Solange
Solange Knowles released her third studio album A Seat at the Table this year to critical acclaim. The 21-track opus is a masterclass in modern R&B, seamlessly blending elements of soul, hip-hop, and pop into a sound that is all her own. With songs like “Cranes in the Sky” and “Don’t Touch My Hair” serving as anthems for Black women everywhere, Solange has solidified her place as one of the best R&B artists of our generation.

Anderson .Paak
Anderson .Paak burst onto the scene in 2016 with his second studio album Malibu. The retro-tinged record is equal parts funky and soulful, with .Paak’s effortless charisma shining through on every track. From the joyous ode to his wifey “Heart Don’t Stand a Chance” to the funk-filled bop “Am I Wrong?,” Malibu is an instant classic that solidified .Paak’s place as one of R&B’s brightest new stars.

Gallant
Gallant made waves in 2016 with his debut album Ology. The critically acclaimed record is an eclectic mix of R&B, soul, and pop that showcases Gallant’s incredible vocal range. From the ethereal ballad “Weight in Gold” to the synth-heavy banger “Skipping Stones,” Ology is an impressive debut from an artist who is sure to be one to watch in 2017.

The Best Male Soul Artists of 2016

When it comes to R&B and soul music, 2016 has been an incredible year. With so many great artists putting out new music, it’s been tough to keep up. But we’ve compiled a list of the best male soul artists of the year, so you can be sure you’re not missing anything.

The list includes old favorites like Maxwell and Teddy Pendergrass, as well as newer artists like BJ the Chicago Kid and Anderson .Paak. There’s something for everyone here, so take a look and see who made our list.

1. Maxwell
2. Teddy Pendergrass
3. Marvin Gaye
4. Stevie Wonder
5. Sam Cooke
6. Otis Redding
7. Al Green
8. Donny Hathaway
9. Bill Withers
10. Issac Hayes

The Best Female Soul Artists of 2016

While male artists such as D’Angelo, Maxwell, and Usher have defined the sound of R&B for the past two decades, there has been a recent surge in the popularity of female soul singers. Here are some of the best female soul artists of 2016.

Ady Suleiman
Ady Suleiman is a British singer and songwriter who is quickly making a name for himself in the soul music world. His debut album, This Is My Soul, was released in 2016 to critical acclaim. Suleiman’s sound is a mix of classic soul and modern R&B, with a touch of hip-hop flavor thrown in for good measure.

Remy Ma
Rapper Remy Ma made her return to the music scene in 2016 after serving six years in prison on assault charges. Ma wasted no time making up for lost time, dropping the critically acclaimed album 7 Winters & 6 Summers in October of that year. The album’s lead single, “All the Way Up,” was aTop 40 hit, and helped to cement Ma’s place as one of the top female rappers in the game.

Kehlani
Kehlani is a singer and songwriter from Oakland, California who first gained attention as a member of the hip-hop group Poplyfe. She released her solo debut album, SweetSexySavage, in 2017 to critical acclaim. The album peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 chart and spawned the hit single “CRZY.” Kehlani is one of the most promising young talents in R&B today.

Solange
Solange Knowles needs no introduction; she is perhaps best known as Beyoncé’s little sister. But Solange has carved out her own place in the music world with her critically acclaimed albums Solo Star (2003) and A Seat at the Table (2016). A Seat at Table debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and earned Solange five Grammy nominations, solidifying her place as one of today’s premier R&B artists.