Top 10 Best R&B Albums of 2021
Kenya
36
2021 has been a strong year in R&B with artists like Jazmine Sullivan and Dave tapping deep into their emotions producing the best projects of the year.
Here are my favorite R&B projects released this year:
1) Heaux Tales Jazmine Sullivan
Jazmine Sullivan’s Heaux Tales is ambitious in its scope, bold in its storytelling and lucid in its intention.
Sullivan stays within the realms of true soul and R&B here, a master of her craft , but her mosaic melodies and vulnerable lyricism put her in a different universe altogether.
Heaux Tales is raw, honest, and relatable beyond the music: six tales from different women act as interludes, touching on the diverse perspectives and conversations Black women have when navigating love and relationships.
Their tales are apt additions to the visually stimulating short stories Sullivan weaves through the Album.
A project that makes evergreen and taboo topics feel fresh with every listen, demonstrating the true multidimensionality of Black women, Heaux Tales is an artistic level-up for Sullivan and the best R&B album of the year
2) 333 by Tinashe
On her fourth studio album, one of pop’s most prolific and dynamic artists continues to refine the opposing poles of her musical sensibilities.
On one end are songs that, if there were any justice, would top the charts—Jeremih-assisted trap banger “X” and “Undo (Back to My Heart)”—and on the other are highly original experimental tracks such as the chopped-n-screwed
“Bouncin’, Pt. 2” and the wonky and meditative title track. But at its best, 333 merges these instincts, offering songs that are eccentric and catchy in equal measure.
“Pasadena,” “Bouncin,” and “I Can See the Future” are earworms with unconventional production, all showcasing Tinashe’s nimble and skillful vocals.
Naturally, "333" is an aural translation of her newfound freedom. The adventurous tracklist traverses a range of tastes and influences, from sparkly pop and R&B to sumptuous jazz and even EDM.
Tinashe doesn't sound indecisive, but rather empowered; her elastic vocals thrive in each domain. If it feels good, she makes it sound good.
3)If Orange Was A Place Tems
Tems singing “You don’t need no other body” on the hook of Wizkid’s breakout “Essence” resounded throughout the world like an echo during the summer of 2021.
It was only right that she built off that momentum with a project of her own.
Tems’ If Orange Was A Place is only five tracks but grabs ears like a loving grandmother.
Tems now signature rasp glides over GuiltyBeatz and Jonah Christian’s production filling each rhythmic pocket with equal parts warmth and finesse.
Many have joked online that since Tems sang on the project’s lead single “crazy tings are happening” that “crazy things really started happening.”
The phrase is as psychic as it is reflective and evergreen in the current state of the world at which Tems finds herself at the sonic center: a blend of Afrobeats, R&B, and Pop.
4)Dave - We're All Alone In This Together
Following up from his 2018 album, Psychodrama, Dave released his second studio album We’re All Alone in This Together on July 23, 2021.
An undeniably advanced lyricist, Streatham native Dave taps into a variety of genres while still keeping rap and grime at the core of his art.
We're All Alone in This Together was supported by two singles: 'Clash' featuring Stormzy, and 'System' featuring Wizkid.
On 'Lazarus', featuring DRB Lasgidi’s Boj, Dave provides us with a smooth Afrobeats track whilst still doubling down on socio political issues.Dave teams up with Stormzy on 'Clash', where the Grime god’s go bar-for-bar on an upbeat track.
The album had more incredible features from the likes of Snoh Aalegra and James Blake, gracing the project with their soulful vocals.
5)Summer Walker Still Over It
Picking up where her debut album left off, Still Over It proved that Summer Walker is one of the most important voices in R&B.
The 20-track album not only touches on processing bad relationships whilst starting new beginnings but also coping with infidelity whilst embracing vulnerability.
From battling with social anxiety to her breakup with London On Da Track, the sophomore album was Walker’s way of letting the girls know we are not normalising toxic situations and relationships anymore and seeing a red flag for what it is… a red flag!
Featuring guest appearances from SZA and Ari Lennox, the album delivered fan favourites like Throw It Away, Unloyal, and Ex For A Reason. Not only did Still Over It score the biggest 24-hour debut for a female artist in Apple Music history, it also became the biggest R&B album debut ever – landing at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.
6)H.E.R Back Of My Mind
If there's one thing singer-slash-multi-instrumentalist H.E.R. knows how to do, it's conjure up a sparkling R&B ballad.
With assists from the likes of Kaytranada ('Bloody Waters'), Yung Bleu ('Paradise') and Chris Brown ('Come Through'), Back Of My Mind is a solid body of smooth, honey-toned tracks.
The record picked up three nominations at the 64th Grammy Awards, and expertly showcases H.E.R.'s undeniable knack of transporting us to another dimension through her music.
The California native has truly cemented her sound, and it's sounding so good.
7)Snoh Aalegra – Temporary Highs In The Violet Skies
Snoh Aalegra takes us to new, heavenly heights with her dreamy offering Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies. Her soulful vocals sit over expansive, ambient production and deliver tales of heartache and desire beautifully.
Tyler, the Creator lands with stellar performances on 'Neon Peach' and 'In The Moment', while solo efforts 'Dying 4 Your Love' and 'Lost You' are like soul food in musical form.
'In Your Eyes' features unmistakable production from hip-hop juggernauts The Neptunes, and proves that Snoh can hop from bouncy mid-tempo back to a spell-binding ballad in a heartbeat.
8)An Evening With Silk Sonic
When Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak link up, you know what's about to go down. Their first body of work as collaborative duo Silk Sonic, An Evening With is a direct trip to groove central.
Infused with the sounds of the 60's and 70's, the record boasts hits including 'Leave The Door Open' and 'Smokin Out the Window', the former picking up four nominations at the 64th Grammy Awards.
Bruno and Anderson have created the feel-good album we all need to listen to right now, and we can't wait for the next one
9)Pink $weats, Pink Planet
Take a trip into the universe of Pink Sweat$, where melodically simplistic songwriting controls the theme songs of his heartfelt world.
The Philadelphia singer-songwriter handles a significant amount of his material in a delicate manner that allows vulnerability to beam through and gives listeners a serious case of the feels with each harmonic touch.
Case in point: “Honesty.”
The guitar-backed ballad immediately tugs at buried emotions as Sweat$ reassures his reluctant lover that her truth is enough to be worthy of love. He continuously perpetuates this sought-after sentiment throughout PINK PLANET with acoustic and instrument-based settings that fall reminiscent of yesteryears’ easy listening music genre.
The tender and mellow levels briefly pick up towards the latter half of the album. “Give It To Me“ and “Icy” rhythmically drift into a far-out space that’ll uncontrollably prompt a mean two-step. When it comes to the ethos of Sweat$’ premier album, love makes the PINK PLANET go round.
10)Nao And Then Life Was Beautiful.
Nao continues to broaden the self-proclaimed “wonky funk” sound on And Then Life Was Beautiful.
Her latest installment highlights and celebrates the numerous facets of change, something we all are quite familiar with.
To the tune of somber guitar strums and ardently dour strings, “Messy Love” honors the notion of setting boundaries in any relationship and realizing when to let those connections go. In the same vein of self-preservation, she recognizes the importance of pouring into herself on the gracefully reflective number “Burn Out.”
Angelic harmonies boldly shape “Little Giants,” where Nao navigates the emotions that come with finding out that someone isn’t who they claim to be. Each track beholds important gems of self-realization and wisdom necessary for personal salvation.
As life provides us with an array of lessons to learn, And Then Life Was Beautiful reminds us that doing the self-work is well worth the reward. Nao acknowledges that after unpleasant moments and situations settle, the beauty of life awaits us on the pink planet #2021WrapUp #RnBMusic
Here are my favorite R&B projects released this year:
1) Heaux Tales Jazmine Sullivan
Jazmine Sullivan’s Heaux Tales is ambitious in its scope, bold in its storytelling and lucid in its intention.
Sullivan stays within the realms of true soul and R&B here, a master of her craft , but her mosaic melodies and vulnerable lyricism put her in a different universe altogether.
Heaux Tales is raw, honest, and relatable beyond the music: six tales from different women act as interludes, touching on the diverse perspectives and conversations Black women have when navigating love and relationships.
Their tales are apt additions to the visually stimulating short stories Sullivan weaves through the Album.
A project that makes evergreen and taboo topics feel fresh with every listen, demonstrating the true multidimensionality of Black women, Heaux Tales is an artistic level-up for Sullivan and the best R&B album of the year
2) 333 by Tinashe
On her fourth studio album, one of pop’s most prolific and dynamic artists continues to refine the opposing poles of her musical sensibilities.
On one end are songs that, if there were any justice, would top the charts—Jeremih-assisted trap banger “X” and “Undo (Back to My Heart)”—and on the other are highly original experimental tracks such as the chopped-n-screwed
“Bouncin’, Pt. 2” and the wonky and meditative title track. But at its best, 333 merges these instincts, offering songs that are eccentric and catchy in equal measure.
“Pasadena,” “Bouncin,” and “I Can See the Future” are earworms with unconventional production, all showcasing Tinashe’s nimble and skillful vocals.
Naturally, "333" is an aural translation of her newfound freedom. The adventurous tracklist traverses a range of tastes and influences, from sparkly pop and R&B to sumptuous jazz and even EDM.
Tinashe doesn't sound indecisive, but rather empowered; her elastic vocals thrive in each domain. If it feels good, she makes it sound good.
3)If Orange Was A Place Tems
Tems singing “You don’t need no other body” on the hook of Wizkid’s breakout “Essence” resounded throughout the world like an echo during the summer of 2021.
It was only right that she built off that momentum with a project of her own.
Tems’ If Orange Was A Place is only five tracks but grabs ears like a loving grandmother.
Tems now signature rasp glides over GuiltyBeatz and Jonah Christian’s production filling each rhythmic pocket with equal parts warmth and finesse.
Many have joked online that since Tems sang on the project’s lead single “crazy tings are happening” that “crazy things really started happening.”
The phrase is as psychic as it is reflective and evergreen in the current state of the world at which Tems finds herself at the sonic center: a blend of Afrobeats, R&B, and Pop.
4)Dave - We're All Alone In This Together
Following up from his 2018 album, Psychodrama, Dave released his second studio album We’re All Alone in This Together on July 23, 2021.
An undeniably advanced lyricist, Streatham native Dave taps into a variety of genres while still keeping rap and grime at the core of his art.
We're All Alone in This Together was supported by two singles: 'Clash' featuring Stormzy, and 'System' featuring Wizkid.
On 'Lazarus', featuring DRB Lasgidi’s Boj, Dave provides us with a smooth Afrobeats track whilst still doubling down on socio political issues.Dave teams up with Stormzy on 'Clash', where the Grime god’s go bar-for-bar on an upbeat track.
The album had more incredible features from the likes of Snoh Aalegra and James Blake, gracing the project with their soulful vocals.
5)Summer Walker Still Over It
Picking up where her debut album left off, Still Over It proved that Summer Walker is one of the most important voices in R&B.
The 20-track album not only touches on processing bad relationships whilst starting new beginnings but also coping with infidelity whilst embracing vulnerability.
From battling with social anxiety to her breakup with London On Da Track, the sophomore album was Walker’s way of letting the girls know we are not normalising toxic situations and relationships anymore and seeing a red flag for what it is… a red flag!
Featuring guest appearances from SZA and Ari Lennox, the album delivered fan favourites like Throw It Away, Unloyal, and Ex For A Reason. Not only did Still Over It score the biggest 24-hour debut for a female artist in Apple Music history, it also became the biggest R&B album debut ever – landing at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.
6)H.E.R Back Of My Mind
If there's one thing singer-slash-multi-instrumentalist H.E.R. knows how to do, it's conjure up a sparkling R&B ballad.
With assists from the likes of Kaytranada ('Bloody Waters'), Yung Bleu ('Paradise') and Chris Brown ('Come Through'), Back Of My Mind is a solid body of smooth, honey-toned tracks.
The record picked up three nominations at the 64th Grammy Awards, and expertly showcases H.E.R.'s undeniable knack of transporting us to another dimension through her music.
The California native has truly cemented her sound, and it's sounding so good.
7)Snoh Aalegra – Temporary Highs In The Violet Skies
Snoh Aalegra takes us to new, heavenly heights with her dreamy offering Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies. Her soulful vocals sit over expansive, ambient production and deliver tales of heartache and desire beautifully.
Tyler, the Creator lands with stellar performances on 'Neon Peach' and 'In The Moment', while solo efforts 'Dying 4 Your Love' and 'Lost You' are like soul food in musical form.
'In Your Eyes' features unmistakable production from hip-hop juggernauts The Neptunes, and proves that Snoh can hop from bouncy mid-tempo back to a spell-binding ballad in a heartbeat.
8)An Evening With Silk Sonic
When Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak link up, you know what's about to go down. Their first body of work as collaborative duo Silk Sonic, An Evening With is a direct trip to groove central.
Infused with the sounds of the 60's and 70's, the record boasts hits including 'Leave The Door Open' and 'Smokin Out the Window', the former picking up four nominations at the 64th Grammy Awards.
Bruno and Anderson have created the feel-good album we all need to listen to right now, and we can't wait for the next one
9)Pink $weats, Pink Planet
Take a trip into the universe of Pink Sweat$, where melodically simplistic songwriting controls the theme songs of his heartfelt world.
The Philadelphia singer-songwriter handles a significant amount of his material in a delicate manner that allows vulnerability to beam through and gives listeners a serious case of the feels with each harmonic touch.
Case in point: “Honesty.”
The guitar-backed ballad immediately tugs at buried emotions as Sweat$ reassures his reluctant lover that her truth is enough to be worthy of love. He continuously perpetuates this sought-after sentiment throughout PINK PLANET with acoustic and instrument-based settings that fall reminiscent of yesteryears’ easy listening music genre.
The tender and mellow levels briefly pick up towards the latter half of the album. “Give It To Me“ and “Icy” rhythmically drift into a far-out space that’ll uncontrollably prompt a mean two-step. When it comes to the ethos of Sweat$’ premier album, love makes the PINK PLANET go round.
10)Nao And Then Life Was Beautiful.
Nao continues to broaden the self-proclaimed “wonky funk” sound on And Then Life Was Beautiful.
Her latest installment highlights and celebrates the numerous facets of change, something we all are quite familiar with.
To the tune of somber guitar strums and ardently dour strings, “Messy Love” honors the notion of setting boundaries in any relationship and realizing when to let those connections go. In the same vein of self-preservation, she recognizes the importance of pouring into herself on the gracefully reflective number “Burn Out.”
Angelic harmonies boldly shape “Little Giants,” where Nao navigates the emotions that come with finding out that someone isn’t who they claim to be. Each track beholds important gems of self-realization and wisdom necessary for personal salvation.
As life provides us with an array of lessons to learn, And Then Life Was Beautiful reminds us that doing the self-work is well worth the reward. Nao acknowledges that after unpleasant moments and situations settle, the beauty of life awaits us on the pink planet #2021WrapUp #RnBMusic
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mamushkacom37
Jackson Emmanueld8k3c
Hi, How Are You Please I Beg for the LIKE on my PlayList (My Ney Year Vibes) https://www.boomplaymusic.com/share/playlist/37802655,srModel=COPYLINK&srList=ANDROID Click link listen and like God Bless U As U Do It❤❤
Ismail Musbahu
You can get a few days ago and the same here in the same here for the same here
Sadeeq Abubakar Nuru
agreed
Samuelfemev
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Dr. Top Manyota
The word Lucid is used here to mean?? it is very terrifying and actually combersome.
Godspeed699
That's nice
mallem stephen
nice
SAIDI OMARYed7j3
Nice
MwangiOnesmus
Shalo Waswa
cute
Shalo Waswa
i need the songs
good