"Loyal" was quoted from the clubs to churches. For a while, he's been one of the key names in the music business, but in 2014 he rose above constant adversity, speculation, and drama to deliver a stellar performance and one of the year's biggest R&B albums. Over the last 10 years, we've watched Chris transition from the prodigal kid with energy on "Run it" to making baby-making anthem after anthem, including a banger with R.Kelly ("Drown In It") and homage to the King of R&B on the collaboration with Trey Songz, "Songs on 12 Play."īreezy dropped a monster this year with X and is in a golden era in which he has command over all he wishes artistically. Surely, it will be awesome to continue to watch her maturity and growth as an artist and leading lady of R&B.Ĭhris Brown is R&B's superstar and maybe the biggest name in the business. Teyana is now a superstar that has arrived and is already an industry staple and role model to young girls everywhere.
Teyana's debut album has placed her in the ranks of R&B female titans, and the true test of this album's success is in her ability to move upon the gains of this all-star project in 2015. These made big waves, but there is much more to the album that this young lady with a powerful voice controls.
"Maybe" and "Business" were two of the big singles you may remember, as well as "Do Not Disturb" (featuring Chris Brown). Featuring appearances from Pusha T, Yo Gotti, Chris Brown, and Fabolous, she reps for the ladies while still keeping the album guy-friendly. However, with VII, she has now entered that rarified air as the Queen of the R&B industry in 2014. Teyana Taylor got introduced to most of us as NYC's Princess during her Super Sweet Sixteen. Do yourself a favor and listen to the legend that is Prince and understand that the source of many of the sounds that we know as contemporary R&B is indeed the cultural icon, Prince. If you like Justin Timberlake's The 20/20 Experience, give Prince's new album a listen, as The Artist reigns as the Godfather of R&B well into his 50s. "Breakdown" tells such a story of rising and falling from grace that even other artists on this list may relate to and find comfort. Thusly, Art Official Age is a preview of what other R&B superstars like Chris Brown may face in the foreseeable future. It is important to listen to Prince because he is the artist many of our other R&B Kings and Queens have grown up listening to.
Over a mix of eclectic sounds, Prince free flows, raps, sings, and gathers the world's premier voices and musicians for this album. Listening to this album requires a bit more careful ear, as the finer points are in Prince's attention to detail and technical excellence, as well as spiritual vibrance. Drawing from a wide spectrum of styles, ranges, and eras, Art Official Age, which is the artist's 33rd studio album, reflects a virtuoso creating from the highest sources of energy. Prince is one of the most influential artists of the last 50 years. Even the best rappers wish they could sing like their favorite R&B heroes at one time or another. Â When we are gathered around the Holiday table for Christmas Dinner or whatever you find yourself celebrating, it's the R&B that more often gets played for the entire family, and when we are in are most intimate moments it's easy to wish we could sing like Trigga, Breezy, flow like D'Angelo, or swag it out like Prince. Despite critics debating if there is still any "true" R&B being produced, given the synthesis of Hip-Hop & R&B especially (but also the fusion of R&B with Pop, Dance, Electronic, and Soul music), today's R&B is still serving a vital purpose in the global music ecosystem. Many of the artists and projects on the list fit the crossover space that's Hip-Hop stylistically, even if the records are presented in ballad or slow jam form. Â Nowadays, Hip-Hop culture permeates R&B records, and the music is generally more raw, rugged, and edgy- however, it is still important to all of our lives and ears. The fact is, today's R&B is a bit different than our parent's R&B. If not for R&B, that first crush, love, kiss, or more might be that much less special. R&B will always hold a special place in our hearts. These were our favorite R&B projects of the year.