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The 20 Best R&B Albums of 2020

Updated: Dec 25, 2020

As this unforgettable year comes to a close, we're looking back on the incredible projects that provided the soundtrack to our lives.


20. "YELLOCKDOWN PROJECT" x YELLOWSTRAPS

Following up their transcendent EP entitled "Goldress", the Belgian duo Yellowstraps capitalized on the quarantine and deliver a warming, luxurious album rooted in collaboration. Enlisting a plethora of European collaborators, including AgaJon, ROMderful, Crayon, Lord Esperanza and many more, the album is filled with jazz-based, irresistible melodies that transcend any language. Released over several months, the R&B duo challenged themselves to create each track on the album in a week and utilized this spark to curate a project full of beautiful synths, alluring hooks and illustrious basslines, making it one of their best efforts to date.



19. "IF YOU FEEL" x XAVIER OMAR

On Xavier Omar's latest album, the exploration of new sounds for the artist continue an important evolution in his artistry. This is evident on the very first track, "Find Me", in which an addicting house-instrumental sets the tone immediately, laying the foundation for a sonic journey that few other artists can create. The project is a close departure from his collaborations with producer Sango, which served as incredible introductions to the San Antonio-based singer. On If You Feel, Xavier Omar's artistry stands on its own and delivers a project that masters a range of sound and harmonies that are truly unforgettable.


Stream: Apple Music | Spotify


18. "HOLD SPACE FOR ME" x ORION SUN

On her debut album, the 24-year-old singer creates her own world through effortless, but deliberate tranquility. Making a statement with A Collection of Fleeting Moments and Daydreams, also released earlier this year, the Philadelphia artist's progress has been evident. Orion Sun's sound is where she's able to create her own rules, blending elements of neo-soul and alternative R&B, creating an incredible balance that allows her to shine throughout the project. Her lyrical ability takes center stage on Hold Space For Me, as her poetic ballads and airy vocals create a sense of weightlessness as the audience floats through her own galaxy.


Stream: Apple Music | Spotify


17. "TEENAGE FEVER" x KAASH PAIGE

The highly anticipated debut from Dallas-raised artist Kaash Paige builds on the momentum of the memorable EP Parked Car Convos, which catapulted her to deserved mainstream recognition. On Teenage Fever, the 19-year-old artist excels within her element, while still finding her footing as she reaches her peak. Proving a mastery of her hazy, deep-melodic style, Paige's rise thus far has resulted in her best effort yet. Standout records "Grammy Week" and "Problems" enlist incredible features from Don Toliver and Isaiah Rashad, respectively, while Kaash's spotlight on tracks such as "Pull Up" and "SOS" are her at her pinnacle, while proving the best may be yet to come.


Released: Def Jam Records | August 14th


16. "DON'T LET IT GO TO YOUR HEAD" x theMIND

Entirely produced by Soulection producer Da-P, Chicago artist theMIND's first full-length project in nearly four years is a sensual, versatile reintroduction to the singer's incredible talent. The album is his most introspective effort yet, and tackles heavy themes of blackness, love, money and relationship complexes throughout. The project is a remarkable statement of the struggles correlated to being a black artist and his navigation of that space. Enlisting a familiar, yet incredible cast of appearances including Saba, Kari Faux, Phoelix, Qari and more, Don't Let It Go To Your Head is a fantastic sophomore effort from theMIND.


Released: Cinq Music Group | November 13th

Stream: Apple Music | Spotify


15. "FOR BROKEN EARS" x TEMS

Throughout recent years there has been a momentous evolution in Afropop music, one that has been led by artists such as Odunsi (The Engine), Cruel Santino, Tay Iwar and more.Lagos artist Tems adds her name to the incredible movement on For Broken Ears. With her recent debut efforts, she first gained recognition for her singles "Try Me" and "These Days". Tems serves as both vocalist and producer on her debut project, one that seamlessly blends elements of Afro-beats, R&B and pop. Her sound is as versatile as her ideas, as the uptempo instrumentals showcase her transitory flows and lyrical ability.



14. "SIS." x KIRBY

Beginning her career behind the scenes as a successful songwriter, penning massive hits including "FourFiveSeconds" by Rihanna, Kanye West, and Paul McCartney and "Die With You" by Beyoncé, Kirby's latest project is a culmination of her transition to an extraordinary independent artist. Kirby's discography thus far has included deep soul and funk records, a style that is it's most polished yet on Sis. The production on the project is both extravagant and classical, flawlessly combining 70's style soul influences with modern funk and R&B.



13. "HOME BUDDIES" x PLAY NICE

One of the most underrated projects of the year, artist collective Play Nice released a refreshingly versatile project that is perfectly suited for a quarantine. The group is backed by Soulection and consists of ten members, including Naji, Zilo, Bowtye, Tay Iwar, J.Robb, Insightful, rndysvge, Biako, and Ben Schwier. The project includes nine original records, along with eleven remixes that undoubtedly elevate the album to a heightened stature. Some standout records include "Myself", "Distance", and "Staring Game (pandi Remix)", which are irresistable, chord-heavy R&B records that were essential for a turbulent year.



12. "FIRE SIGN" x BRAXTON COOK

Washington, D.C. native, saxophonist and singer Braxton Cook continues to reinvent himself with each project. With his earlier projects Somewhere in Between and No Doubt leaning towards more traditional jazz sounds, Fire Sign finds the talented artist highlighting his vocal ability with more neo-soul and R&B records, while maintaining his deep-rooted jazz influence. His latest project is a reflection of his personal and creative growth, as album highlights "All That I Want" and "The Rise" prove that Braxton Cook's sound is at it's best, and here to stay.



11. "PARTYMOBILE" x PARTYNEXTDOOR

Possibly one of the most controversial picks on the list, Partymobile marked a long-awaited return for the Toronto R&B star. Since his early self-titled breakout projects, PND1 & PND2, which are largely regarded as modern classics, the singer has struggled to receive the same critical acclaim as previous work. When it was first released, Partymobile followed a similar tale of mixed reviews, however, with ample time to live with the project and many replays later, I can surely say that the peaks of the album ensured it to be one of the year's best. The album finds the artist more experimental than ever, fusing Afro-beat influences while still visiting familiar sounds and melodies that are synonymous with his art.


Stream: Apple Music | Spotify


10. "HONEY FOR WOUNDS" x EGO ELLA MAY

Ego Ella May has found her voice. The London artist's debut project is a breathtaking experience that finds the singer truly baring her soul on the eleven tracks. The album is one of the most soothing, sensational projects of the year, and is laced with stunning neo-soul and jazz melodies that elevate May to new heights. The album is an outpouring of emotion that introduces the newcomer artist as her true self, one that is astounding, poetic, and ever-so talented. Records "Girls Don't Always Sing About Boys", "How Long Til We're Home" and "In The Morning" were tracks that I frequently came back to throughout the year, and surely should be added to your collection.



9. "IT IS WHAT IT IS" x THUNDERCAT

Thundercat's fourth studio album, following his masterwork Drunk carries his audience along a mystifying, exorbitant journey through the mind of the Stephen Bruner, effortlessly carried by stunning synth chords and unforgettable basslines. Thundercat's bass skills have lent themselves to countless artists in recent years, as he continues to push his unique sound forward through a growing monotony on his latest project. Bruner's talent on both bass strings and vocally exhibit an artist fully unafraid to take risks, unbounded by any preconceived limits. On It Is What It Is, Thundercat presents all sides of himself that make his art so special and capitalizes on his ongoing evolution.


Stream: Apple Music | Spotify


8. "LIFE WORKS OUT... USUALLY" x DEMAE

Beginning her career as a vocalist in neo-soul artist Fatima's live band, along with formerly being one-third of hip-hop group Hawk House, Demae has officially stepped into her own on her incredible debut album, Life Works Out... Usually. Receiving production from Wu-Lu, Jake Millner, and Eun, and more, the project is filled with mesmerizing, bass-heavy, jazz-based instrumentals. Demae's vocal performance on the album is second to none, as her unique ability to occupy the Flying Lotus-like production on each track is masterful. Standout "Stuck in a Daze" featuring Ego Ella May has to be one of my favorite R&B songs of the year, as both vocalists' harmonies about the infatuation of love find them at their best.


Stream: Apple Music | Spotify


7. "CIRCLES" x MAC MILLER

The first posthumous album from Mac Miller felt like a direct, but more soulful sequel to Swimming, while offering a new perspective of the transcendent artist that audiences hadn't heard before. The album was finished by Jon Brion following Miller's untimely death, and brought an album to fruition that was one of the most important chapters to the artist's story. While transitioning his sound into more jazz, soul-based efforts through Divine Feminine and Swimming, Circles is the fully realized version of significant elements in those projects. Circles proves that Mac Miller's growth as an artist was truly limitless, and a magnificent final page if it is indeed the last offering.



6. "WHAT KINDA MUSIC" x TOM MISCH & YUSSEF DAYES

One of the most important collaborations of the year, drummer Yussef Dayes and vocalist and producer Tom Misch collide to deliver their best work yet. South London has been home to an incredible jazz movement over numerous years, and What Kinda Music is a fantastic continuation of the evolving sound. Tom Misch and Yussef Dayes ability on the project to mend their talents to what best suits the duo, along with maintaining their core sound and potential make it one of the best projects of the year. The album is filled with alternative jazz and neo-soul records that stamp the pair as some of the most talented musicians today.



5. "MADE IN LAGOS" x WIZKID

Nigerian superstar Wizkid has been as instrumental as anyone in elevating the Afrobeats genre to worldwide popularity and acclaim, and on his latest project, Made in Lagos, the artist proves yet again wy he exists at the peak of the mountaintop. After collaborating with Drake, Burna Boy, Jorja Smith, and more, the pop star has continues to enhance the genre with his irresistible records. Collaborating with Ella Mai, H.E.R., Tay Iwar, Skepta, Projexx, and more on the latest project, the album feels as though it is the premier example of everything Afrobeats represents. Wizkid's forever-mending flows and lyrical style is more extraordinary than every on the project, with the most polished and versatile production the artist has delivered thus far. Released in the fourth quarter of this year, it was evident that it was one of the most remarkable albums of the year during the very first listen.


Stream: Apple Music | Spotify


4. "FOREVER, YA GIRL" x KEIYAA


Producing the project entirely herself, along with New York rapper/producer MIKE in the guise of his 'DJ Blackpower' moniker, KeiyaA created the album primarily in isolation - composing and playing every instrument heard on Forever, Ya Girl. The project exists in a space that few others can occupy, as sounds blend between soul, gospel and funk seamlessly throughout. It feels as if KeiyaA planted herself within the universe of artists such as MIKE, Pink Siifu, AKAI SOLO production-wise, while simultaneously ruling a planet of her own with vocals and structure. Enough simply can't be said about the three-track stretch featuring "Every N**** Is A Star", "I! Gets! Weary!", and "Negus Poem 1 & 2". While KeiyaA captures the listeners attention, easing them into her artistic web, the tracks kick off the second-half of the project, one which emphatically capitalizes on the traps she's set. Each track within the album are luxurious journeys that are each part of a massive exploration, beautifully cementing KeiyaA's sound and intent.



3. SELF-TITLED x LIANNE LA HAVAS

London artist Lianne La Havas had a year that simply could not be ignored. Her latest album is a soulful, vulnerable depiction the end of a relationship that marked an important transition in the artist's life. Lianne utilizes the emotional whirlwind and focused her efforts into her greatest full-length album yet. The album centers around heavy themes of separation and heartbreak, along with palpable hope that seeps through the artist's voice on each track. "Paper Thin" is one of the most important tracks of the year, and showcases the balance of her emotions that culminated in the entirety of her album. Applying familiar guitar-driven instrumentals, along with sparse drum patterns allow Lianne's voice to conduct the most important instrument on the project. The album is truly a magnificent piece of work that will be played for many years to come.



2. "F**K THE WORLD" x BRENT FAIYAZ

The ethereal, yet cold-hearted style of Brent Faiyaz's dreamy R&B is now distinct and unmistakable to the incredible artist. Brent's ability to create his own universe of toxicity and lust allows the artist to change the rules to whatever he decides, while the audience attempts to keep pace. The album is filled with sensual, deep instrumentals that lure the listener in with Brent's slow groove. Faiyaz's juxtaposition of his vocal style and lyrics have become synonymous with the artist, and on Fuck the World, it feels that he has become a master of this space. This album was easily one of my most played throughout the entirety of the year, and tracks like "Been Away", "Bluffin", and "Clouded", provided a consistent soundtrack to our late-nights.



1. "ROSE IN THE DARK" x CLEO SOL

Culminating in our number one R&B project of the year, the London-based neo-soul singer creates an atmosphere elegance and grandeur that could not be matched. Produced entirely by Inflo, Rose in the Dark represents an artist that is rooted in passion and honesty, and operating at her highest level. Cleo Sol curates a beautiful balance of everything that is admired about 70s and 80s style R&B, while adding modern elements that prove her originality and potential. "When I'm In Your Arms" is likely my favorite R&B record for the entirety of the year, as the artist's poise and writing ability create one of the most significant tracks within her discography. Enough simply can't be said about the album's ability to evoke every emotion that the artist presents throughout, highlighted by the singer's incredible voice. Each track on the project presents a charm and grace that is unmatched, leaving the listener solely craving more from the sublime artist.


Stream: Apple Music | Spotify

 
 
 

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