New voices, new concepts, new stories and new approaches are always flowing through R&B — evolving both the sound and definition of the genre for more than 70 years. Today's artists are continuing that tradition, flipping R&B on its head by merging the sound with elements of hip-hop, electronic, psychedelic soul, and even Afrobeats.
What's happening today in R&B sounds nothing like the chart-dominating R&B of the '90s (though it may pull influence from that era). Instead, artists like Casper Sage, Natanya, Cari, BINA., Tendai, and Olympia Vitalis are reshaping R&B and pushing it forward every single day. Durand Bernarr's GRAMMY-nominated EP En Route leaned into Outkast-esque funk, Latin, rock, and even opera at times. Across the pond, London-born singer Odeal is dominating the alté scene — a fusion sound originating in Nigeria.
With so many artists moving away from the rigid boundaries that were once synonymous with R&B, the genre is more diverse and experimental than ever. Here's a spotlight on 10 of R&B's finest up-and-comers that are honoring its past while redefining its future.
Isaiah Falls
Isaiah Falls wants to bring romance back to R&B, and is driving that mission forward on his May 2025 debut album, LVRS Paradise (Side A); Side B is slated to drop before the year is out. Sultry lead single "BUTTERFLIES" (featuring fellow rising R&B star Joyce Wrice) and the self-assured "TRICK DADDY" may just be enough to earn the Florida native the title of R&B’s next romantic heavyweight.
"I don't want anyone to think that I am perfect and great at love because I've had my own issues as well, but I love to just preach that we're here trying," Falls told GRAMMY.com about his approach to making love songs. "I have a lot more to offer over in the coming years when it comes to pushing my sound, pushing R&B, and pushing Florida. I would love for as many people as possible to hear and see that."
If Falls’ signature falsetto sounds familiar, that’s because his viral hit, "FLORIDA BABY," from his 2024 EP, Drugs N' Lullabies, garnered over 27 million Spotify streams, though he’s been making music since he was 14. Now 28, Falls just finished trekking across North America and Europe for his LVRS Paradise tour. And he’s already manifesting bigger things in 2026, including a GRAMMY win.
Leon Thomas III
Leon Thomas III was only 10 years old when he first experienced stardom, appearing in Broadway classics such as "The Lion King" and "The Color Purple." By the time his 2012 debut mixtape, Metro Hearts, arrived, the then 19-year-old was a fixture on Nickelodeon’s hit show "Victorious."
Thomas, now 32, has gone on to produce several GRAMMY-winning artists — from rap titans Kanye West and Drake, to R&B legends Babyface and Toni Braxton. In 2024, Thomas took home his first GRAMMY for Best R&B Song for SZA's "Snooze," but now, the Brooklyn native is putting his own dreams first.
Thomas’ 2023 debut studio album, Electric Dusk, showed off his sheer musicality, but the lead single from his sophomore LP, MUTT, earned him his first-ever entry on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart at No. 12. Reigning for a remarkable 23 weeks on the Hot R&B Songs chart as of press time, the title track was inspired by his dog’s lack of formal training, which soon became a metaphor for Thomas’ inability to be a perfect boyfriend to his ex. It's that level of creativity keeping R&B alive and thriving today.
Ahead of his world tour launching in late October, Thomas was named as Music Advocacy Day's 2025 Artist Ambassador by the Recording Academy.
Laila!
If you’ve heard that Laila! is the daughter of Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def), you’d be right. Just don’t underestimate her desire and tenacity to forge her own path in music.
The 19-year-old artist penned her 2023 breakout hit "Like That!" when she was just 16. Shortly after graduating from high school a year later, Laila! began working on her throwback-themed debut album, Gap Year!. All but three of its 17 tracks are self-produced.
"It’s not linear, so sometimes I’ll start making something or have an idea pop into my head and then try to execute that idea," she told REVOLT about her creative process. "But, then other times, I’m just seeing what I can make for fun."
"Not My Problem," the confidence-boosting lead single from 2024’s Gap Year!, began as a freestyle before taking over TikTok and racking up over 62 million Spotify streams. It peaked at No. 25 on the Hot R&B Songs chart, while its music video currently boasts 17 million views on YouTube.
In the tail end of 2024, the self-proclaimed "baby genius" made her debut at Tyler, The Creator's Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival. Earlier this year, Laila!’s first headlining tour saw her visiting 10 cities across North America. Along with fellow artist Stacey Barthe, Laila! also participated in a lively discussion about the experiences of Black musicians in the industry as part of the first GRAMMY House in New York City. She closed out the event by performing a few tracks from Gap Year!.
SAILORR
With a stage name inspired by the beloved Japanese manga series "Sailor Moon," SAILORR is clearly in a lane of her own.
As the daughter of Vietnamese immigrants, the 26-year-old Jacksonville native worked as a florist and lash tech to make ends meet after turning down a coveted spot at The Theatre School at DePaul University. Fast-forward 11 years, and SAILORR’s decision to pursue music instead of attending college proved to be a risk worth taking.
In April, her Summer Walker-featuring remix of her breakout hit "Pookie’s Requiem" skyrocketed to No. 11 on the Hot R&B Songs chart. The crash-out anthem also earned co-signs from Doechii, Justin Bieber, and Halle Bailey. A mere five months later, SAILORR’s debut album, From Florida’s Finest, arrived to eager fans and critics alike.
Shortly before the viral success of "Pookie's Requiem," SAILORR had begun uploading her music to SoundCloud. While making its rounds on TikTok, her song "W1ll U L13?" caught record executive Abou Thiam’s attention. By early 2025, she signed to Thiam’s BuVision label.
With a sold-out headlining tour behind her, SAILORR shows no signs of slowing down. "It's very jarring to realize that this many people are watching me," she told The Fader. "The only thing that really keeps me grounded is the music. As long as I have music, I'm straight."
Kwn
East London-born artist Kwn (pronounced kay-wuhn) often jokes that she’s allergic to professional studios. The 25-year-old creates her best work from the comfort of her own bedroom studio, as evidenced in her 10-minute Instagram Live session that birthed her 2024 breakthrough hit "Worst Behaviour."
The steamy one-off single skyrocketed to No. 15 on the R&B Songs chart. Upon five-time GRAMMY nominee (and bestie) Kehlani hopping on the remix, "Worst Behaviour" moved up to the No. 9 spot.
Just months before, Kwn had parted ways with Black Butter Records. Without funding, she struggled to push her sound out into the mainstream, so she drew inspiration from Nipsey Hussle, who, in 2013, sold his Crenshaw mixtape at $100 apiece directly to fans. After all was said and done, "Worst Behaviour" sold over 12,000 copies, earning Kwn praise from the likes of Queen Latifah and Timbaland.
Now signed to RCA Records, Kwn is earning even more attention with her latest EP. With All Due Respect is unapologetically queer from start to finish. "I’m trying to send the message to just be yourself and not care what anybody else thinks," she told Hypebae.
This fall, Kwn will kick off her With All Due Respect tour. With several dates selling out in minutes, she’s proof that betting on yourself is always worth it.
Tiana Major9
Tiana Major9’s moniker salutes one of the British-Jamaican artist’s favorite chords: the major 9th. The 29-year-old’s experimental sound is a seamless blend of R&B, hip-hop, reggae, gospel, and more. But as evidenced in Tiana’s name, jazz is the backbone of their music.
Tiana’s 2019 debut EP, Rehearsal @ NINE, earned them a place on the Motown roster and a spot on Queen & Slim: The Soundtrack — spawning their most recognized hit "Collide" with hip-hop duo EarthGang. In 2021, "Collide" earned Tiana a GRAMMY nod for Best R&B Song.
Tiana dropped three EPs via Motown: 2020's At Sixes and Sevens, 2021's Major Mantras, and 2022's Fool Me Once. The latter of which earned them the coveted spot as the opener for Jazmine Sullivan on her Heaux Tales tour.
Following a two-year hiatus, Tiana is back and she’s releasing music independently. They pulled back the curtain with 2024’s gut-wrenching "Alone" and 2025’s autobiographical "Money." Meanwhile, Tiana’s latest offering, "Shook One" — which flips Mobb Deep's 1995 classic "Shook Ones Pt ll" — signals a new, bolder era.
"In regards to music, I feel like with every album now I want to elevate and try something new," they told Teen Vogue in 2020. "Production-wise, or songwriting wise, I kind of want to keep evolving my sound as I grow."
Destin Conrad
The spotlight feels like second nature for Destin Conrad. When he was just 14, the Florida native started making Vine videos, amassing over a million followers in no time.
He's since flourished into an R&B powerhouse. In 2020, Kehlani's It Was Good Until It Wasn’t album earned a then 20-year-old Conrad his first major writing credits, foreshadowing his own breakout success. Following four back-to-back EPs — 2021’s Colorway, 2022’s Satin, 2023’s Submissive, and 2024’s Submissive 2 — Conrad’s debut album, Love on Digital, positioned him as a force to be reckoned with.
Reminiscent of the early 2000s R&B he grew up listening to, Love on Digital sees Conrad exploring love in the digital age through a Black queer lens. "I’m literally singing about men, and it’s really cool when a straight man can acknowledge that my music is good and they’re not off put by me singing about boys," Conrad told Clash about breaking barriers as a queer artist. "I’m just excited to push it and make people even more uncomfortable, and see what other queer, gay, male R&B artists come after me."
Conrad’s decision to drop a surprise alt-jazz album, wHIMSY, just four months after Love on Digital and in the middle of his first-ever headlining tour is a testament to his willingness to take risks and his unbridled creativity. In June, Conrad hit the stage at the first GRAMMY House NYC, wowing the crowd during the Out + Proud: A Queer Artist Showcase.
Rae Khalil
When she was just 23, SoCal native Rae Khalil competed on Season 1 of Netflix's short-lived hip-hop reality competition "Rhythm + Flow." Khalil didn't win the competition, but she walked away with something far greater: a mentorship with Anderson .Paak, who served as a guest judge.
The following year, Khalil co-wrote .Paak’s GRAMMY-winning protest anthem "Lockdown." Then, just six months after signing to .Paak’s Apeshit label in 2024, Khalil’s major label debut, CRYBABY, saw her taking her musical instincts to greater heights compared to her two previous LPs, 2018’s Girlfriend and 2020’s FORTHEWORLD. The jazz elements in "Is It Worth It?," CRYBABY's lead single, give the track an exquisite sophistication.
"I think the unofficial rule was: do your best and go as hard as you can," she told Billboard about making CRYBABY. "Even when you think you’ve done your best, go harder."
In recent years, Khalil has shifted more toward R&B and neo-soul, but don't be surprised to hear a rap album from her soon. "I don’t want people to forget that I also really rap," she told The Knockturnal.
For now, though, Khalil is expanding her reach while on tour with hip-hop superduo NxWorries (consisting of .Paak and acclaimed producer Knxwledge) for their first North American headlining tour supporting their latest LP, Why Lawd?
Dijon
German-born, Baltimore-raised Dijon started as one half of obscure alt-R&B duo Abhi//Dijon before striking out on his own. Boasting over 110 million Spotify streams, "Skin" (the first song he penned on his own) helped the then 26-year-old artist gain a following.
"Skin" may have put him on the map, but his back-to-back EPs, Sci Fi 1 and How Do You Feel About Getting Married?, kept him there. "My only interests are to write affecting songs," he told SSENSE. "They have to fit within some sort of parameter — even just the simplest phrase. Is it memorable? Is it singable? Does it hook you?”
Dijon’s 2021 debut album, Absolutely, saw him doubling down on that approach. His merging of soul, Americana, and folk while also dabbling in pop, rock, and jazz asserts his brilliance and constant artistic evolution that’s sure to make him a household name.
Earlier this summer, Dijon had a hand in producing multiple tracks from Justin Bieber’s SWAG album, while chipping away at his own sophomore joint, Baby, which arrived in August. The 12-track LP sees him peeling back the layers of his life while gliding across just as many genres as its predecessor. At times, he seemingly channels Prince, particularly on the standout track "Yamaha."
The Wall Street Journal credits Dijon, who will soon embark on a headlining tour spanning North America and Europe, with "the birth of a new R&B." It’s a big statement, but he seems to be living up to the hype just fine.
JayDon
JayDon’s dedication to his music is finally taking center stage after making a name for himself as a child star, appearing in K.C. Undercover, Little, and the live-action remake of The Lion King, to name a few.
At just 9, JayDon (formerly known as JD McCrary) jumped on Childish Gambino's "Terrified" in 2016 and hit the GRAMMYs stage with him the following year to perform the haunting track. Three years later, JayDon became the youngest artist to sign with Hollywood Records, putting out the endearing single "Keep in Touch" at the top of 2019. He teamed up with renowned producers Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox for his debut EP, Shine.
Newly signed to L.A. Reid and Usher’s new label Mega, the 18-year-old triple threat is ready for his close-up. JayDon's next EP, Me, My Songs and I, is dropping Oct. 10, and it’s preceded by the 2000s-inspired singles "Lullaby" and "I'll Be Good" — the latter of which samples Usher’s 8701-era deep cut "How Do I Say."
"I still want to be authentic and brand new at the same time," he told Billboard. "As I keep going forward, I can’t stop. I want to be the best version of me — and keep doing what I’ve always dreamed of doing."
By the sounds of it, JayDon is well on his way to transitioning from child star to R&B’s next big thing.