Healing, Hurting & Yearning: The Top 20 R&B Tracks of 2024

2024. A year full of bad news, even worse weather and enough celebrity social media spats to last a lifetime. But amongst the doom and gloom, something positive came out of it. The continued resurgence of R&B. A genre that was described by some as essentially dead and buried, defies the odds with a pulse that beats stronger year on year. It’s bursting with a new era of talent, and the resurrection of some well-loved veterans. The impact of the genre is seen steadily on the charts, and artists are reaping the rewards for their craft at award shows - Beyoncé being the most decorated GRAMMY nominated artist in history with 11 nods for the 2025 ceremony, and 99 overall.

R&B has gradually opened its doors to more versatility, artists such as FLO incorporating elements of other genres to create something innovative, while still staying true to their roots. UK audiences in particular embracing the genre more has led to an increase in popularity with events that cater specifically to R&B lovers - RnB & Slow Jams and slowjamswitha to name a few. The genre has by no means reached its peak, with newness emerging everyday proving that the road ahead is incredibly exciting. 

This list includes songs to cry to, songs to inspire those risky 1am text messages and songs to encourage a new and improved version of yourself. So grab a drink, maybe a snack, and strap yourselves in for a journey through the top 20 R&B tracks of 2024 - in no particular order.

20. Crystal Tears - Elmiene

“I saw comments about people really understanding what I was saying, and it’s something else, because I never had my work out there before. It’s a big honor.” These were the words of British-Sudanese singer-songwriter Elmiene, following his first song 'Golden' debuting in Virgil Abloh’s last Louis Vuitton fashion show in 2021. A reveal that many artists could only dream of, for Elmiene it was his reality. 

His career has been somewhat of a whirlwind since. His debut EP ‘EL-MEAN' hit streaming platforms in 2023, followed by four more singles that came together to make up his second EP 'Marking My Time’ in that same year. He’s performed at the legendary Alexandra Palace, been shortlisted for the BRITs ‘Rising Star Award’ for 2025 and collaborated with Leon Thomas on a remix of track 'Sweetness'. The definition of booked and busy.

Now, some might classify 2024 as the ‘year of yearning’. The time for lover boys and lover girls to rise up and be counted. Elmiene finds himself placed securely within this category, having perfected the modern day love song. It began with ‘Someday’, a tranquil melody where he sings “someday I want to love like the love I had with you.” Then came 'Crystal Tears', a song where Elmiene reminisces on a love lost, one that he’s eager to rekindle - “afraid to hold the glass I know I’ve broken, take back all the notes I know I’ve chosen.” These lyrics give way to the most alluring falsetto in the chorus.

While it’s still relatively early-on in his career, he’s arguably one of the UK’s greatest exports.

An old-soul finding his place in the modern world, aptly described as “D’Angelo mixed with Sampha.”

If you like this, listen to: 'Sweetness' and 'Light Work'

19. Hold You Down - Juls ft. Odeal

Juls has been a well-loved and respected name in the UK and African music scenes for years. A pioneering producer and DJ, he boasts a scintillating discography featuring artists from all over: 'Blessed' with Miraa May and Donae’o, 'Skin Tight' with Mr Eazi and 'Your Corner’ with Nonso Amadi. When you hear his producer tag ‘Juls baby’, you know to expect a banger.

If you asked me to pick a song that encapsulated summer, it’d be 'Soweto Blues’. It prompts memories of drinking a sweet, colourful cocktail, the warm pinks, oranges and yellows of the sunset and glossy skin. I didn’t think there could be much to rival this warm weather tinged track, until he released Hold You Down - a rhythmic, passionate production that evokes feelings of romance. 

Juls requested the assistance of Odeal - the breakout star renowned for his success in bridging the gap between R&B and afrobeats -  for the track, who he says is “one of the most talented artists I’ve ever come across in the last few years.”

‘Hold You Down’ exists as an impassioned reminder of previous encounters - “you better use me when I come home… you lose your composure when I’ve been away.” Odeal’s commanding voice glides over the lyrics with finesse, elevating an already tender instrumental.

If you like this, listen to: 'Gwarn'/ ‘Soweto Blues’ / ‘You, The World VS Me’ ‘HBTS (Haven't Been The Same)’

18. Cool With It - Lola Moxom

20-year-old songstress Lola Moxom comes in at number 18 with her debut single ‘Cool With It’. 

While she only began releasing her original songs earlier this year, she’s not new to the world of music. Lola has already had a taste of the big time as she starred in Annie on the West End at the tender age of 11 and more recently, performed at Amazing Grace in London. She’s taken the time to hone her own sound, drawing on inspiration from greats such as Jazmine Sullivan, Tori Kelly and Aretha Franklin.

‘Cool With It’ is a statement song, announcing Lola’s arrival on the scene with a degree of confidence beyond her years. Speaking to Raydar Magazine in the summer, she explains the track as “dealing with disrespect and thinking the only way to make them understand their mistake is to give them a taste of their own medicine.” Revenge has never sounded so sweet. The beat switches from being bouncy to something more fierce when it reaches the chorus, with the addition of a deeper bass. It faultlessly aligns with the more assertive tone she adopts, telling the subject in question “when it means you gotta choose between the two, just pick the other one ‘cause either way you’ll lose.” 

Lola’s presence in the R&B world is refreshing. She sings as though it’s the most natural thing in the world to her, flaunting riffs and runs of the highest calibre. She’s a promising young up-and-comer who belongs on the list of ones to watch in 2025.

If you like this, listen to: ‘Turn Down The Lights’

17. Stay Awhile - Foggieraw ft. Ari Lennox 

If we’re going by literal definitions, Maryland rapper Foggieraw shouldn’t really be a contender for this list. But with the fluidity that’s available within the music industry, it’s inevitable that the lines are going to blur. Originally born in Ghana, Foggieraw had musical tendencies from a young age, but it wasn’t until the age of 18 that he dabbled in rapping. He released his debut EP 'The Foggie Pound' in 2016, followed by album 'Fogtavious Vandross' in 2018.

He became familiar with virality towards the latter part of 2022. His use of short form clips on Instagram to debut music brought with it a strong sense of intrigue and a sizeable number of views. 

This year bore witness to an unexpected collaboration with Ari Lennox, one that probably shouldn’t work as well as it does. An immaculate amalgamation of R&B and rap, ‘Stay Awhile’ is an example of Foggieraw tapping into his more mellow, soothing side; something which he garnered high praise for with the release of 'Psalm 62' - which sampled Alicia Keys’ You Don’t Know My Name’ - in 2023.

Foggieraw possesses a unique poetic intonation of his voice; devilishly deep but it still sounds equal parts soft. Ari’s verse is short but sweet, voice consistently decadent.

The lyrics and visuals across his extensive catalogue project positive depictions of Black love and Black women, something which can often be a rarity in commercial media. With the content he creates, he’s sure to have the eyes of the world trained on him for a long time.

If you like this, listen to: ‘Psalm 62’ and 'Love Don’t Cost A Thing' / 'Chicago Boy' and ‘Mean Mug’ 

16. Soft - FLO

If you asked most people what was missing within the R&B scape, I’d confidently say that girl groups would be one of the top answers. The harmonies, the catchy riffs, the displays of female empowerment. Enter: FLO, the descendants of Destiny.

I was first introduced to FLO when a random X (formerly Twitter) user posted a clip from their ‘Cardboard Box’ music video. Interest piqued, it was disappointing to find that this was the only song in their catalogue. But it was only a matter of months before they released their debut EP, ‘The Lead’, a selection of boy-forward tracks echoing the thoughts of young girls everywhere. 

FLO kept up with the momentum, releasing ‘Not My Job’ towards the end of 2022 and a surprise link up with Missy Elliott in 2023 with ‘Fly Girl’.

Fast forward to 2024, FLO supplied the growing demand with their debut album, ‘Access All Areas'. 16 tracks of majority R&B goodness that found itself at number three on the ‘UK Official Album Chart’, making them ‘the highest-charting British R&B girl group in 23 years’. One of the standout tracks? ‘Soft’. “I’m flowin’ like a river … baby, do you wanna touch?” sung over a mellow beat. The perfect juxtaposition. It’s a prime example of the levels in which their vocal abilities can reach. ‘Soft’ becomes the perfect track for a more intimate playlist - intensified by the addition of Chloe x Halle on the ‘Unlocked’ version of the song - when the occasion calls to show appreciation to a loyal, loving man.

FLO have only officially been in the game for two years, but they possess a star quality that feels as though they’re eight years deep. Carrying the torch handed over from girlband’s before them - Mis-teeq, Sugababes, Destiny’s Child - and bringing the sought after sounds of the 90s into the 2020’s, whilst still retaining something that’s uniquely them.

If you like this, listen to: ‘Shoulda Woulda Coulda’ and ‘Feature Me’

15. Mailly - SAYGRACE

We’re now taking a trip to sunnier climes - Brisbane, Australia to be precise. The home of R&B crooner SAYGRACE. She came onto the scene in 2015 with a cover of Lesley Gore’s ‘You Don’t Own Me’ and since then, she has released an album and two EP’s - the latest ‘New Age’ dropping at the end of November.

‘Mailly’ is a world away from her debut single, the evolution of her sound justifying her name change - from Grace to SAYGRACE. A rebirth if you will. Speaking as part of her behind the song series for her new EP on Instagram, Grace says that “it’s probably one of my faves on the record”, and it’s clear to see why.

Named after the French champagne, ‘Mailly’ is a vibrant track with an accompanying music video that details a night of enjoyment and letting your hair down. A punchy beat that deserves to be heard with the bass at full volume. But, the message is twofold. Something more heartfelt, it can be interpreted as an ode to loving yourself, “don’t need no one but me and myself” one of its most poignant lyrics. Grace’s voice has smooth lilt to it, with the ability to float across the beat with practiced precision. ’Mailly’ sets the tone for the rest of her EP - the definition of an easy listen that’s perfect for a slow Sunday morning. It’s a track that I’d recommend adding to the healing playlist that’s inevitably sat in your music library.

If you like this, listen to: ‘Tragic’ and ‘Stay Down’

14. F**k The Rap Game - 6LACK

At this point, alternative-R&B virtuoso 6LACK can be considered part of the R&B furniture. A longstanding career, initiated in 2016 with the release of debut album 'FREE 6LACK'. 'PRBLMS' was the track that yielded notable recognition for him - fans falling in love with the brooding lyrics - “got this one on my line that won’t stop fuckin’ calling’, it’s crazy I made her that way” - and sullen beat. It earned him a spot on the 'Apple Music Up Next’ series and a performance on The Late Late Show.

While there’s an obvious shift between 6LACK’s old and new music - depicting him to be in a more positive frame of mind with each new project he releases - the moody aesthetic is something he still taps into from time to time.

A taste of the 6LACK past, ‘F**k The Rap Game’ was his first sole release since his 2024 acoustic EP 'No More Lonely Nights'. It’s an atmospheric, introspective anthem that dissects his disapproval of the current state of the music industry. In an interview with Wordplay Magazine, 6LACK divulges: “over the last few years there seems to be a lot more moments where it feels like being an artist is about everything besides the actual music.” A rap adjacent track, it allows him to leverage both sides of his skillset over a minimalistic rhythm. 

While the track doesn’t explicitly make reference to it, it can be inferred that trivial social media beefs - *cough cough* Drake and Kendrick - further detract from the real purpose of music as an art form.

If you like this, listen to: ‘Free’ and ‘Let Her Go’

13. MUTT - Leon Thomas

He has more than one string to his bow: a writer, actor, producer and songwriter. He’s lauded for his work rate when it comes to curating masterpieces for other artists - SZA’s 'Snooze', Ella Mai’s 'Not Another Love Song' and Arin Ray’s 'Reckless'. But 2023 and 2024 were the formative years that really saw Leon Thomas in the spotlight as an individual artist. 

Leon was a part of most of our younger lives with his portrayal of Andre Harris in Nickelodeon show Victorious from 2010 - 2013. Still, he remains there, but in a different, much more meaningful capacity - providing the soundtrack to our day-to-days. His debut album 'Electric Dusk' was released towards the end of August last year, unintentionally making it the perfect album to transition into autumn. He recruited R&B royalty Victoria Monét for a remix of his single 'Breaking Point'. Of the album, Leon shared his feelings of frustration, saying “I was being heard by a lot of people’s favourite artists… I wanted to be heard as myself and embody the vision of myself I see in my head.”

He then announced 'MUTT', his second studio album in just over a year. Fusing together the sounds of rock, jazz and R&B to create a diverse body of work with extreme replay value.

‘MUTT’ the album’s namesake and coincidentally the first single he shared, stood out by a mile. It exposes the reservations that come with letting your guard down and allowing space for another person, represented by the lyric “said I’ll put my guard down for you, said I’ll be vulnerable, so you can break my heart if you want to.” ‘MUTT’ defines the remainder of the album, a winding venture through the intricacies of modern love.

Leon’s artistry has propelled him to R&B staple status. A voice that brings a hint of sweetness to the toxicity.

If you like this, listen to: ‘Love Jones’ and ‘YES IT IS’

12. Unknown - Durand Bernarr

At times, things can get a little stagnant. The same kind of artists being churned out, a lack of variety. This is where an artist like Durand Bernarr comes into play, injecting some energy into the sometimes mundane. Very Rick James-esque in the way that he dresses, he epitomises radiance.

He has one of the most eclectic personalities that I’ve witnessed in a while. The Clevelander is mostly known for his viral Tiny Desk Concert in 2023. During the show, he performed some of his earlier work - including 'Company' and 'Sam’s Vibe'. Durand has worked with R&B queen Ari Lennox on his album 'DUR&', and lent his vocals to Kaytranada for his projects 'BUBBA' and 'TIMELESS'.

Durand’s propensity for boldness in his clothing choices also translates to his music. His latest EP 'En Route' is a classic example of genre-bending, pivoting between salsa-inspired notes in 'GPS' and bringing back the funk with track ‘Neutral’. Being able to switch between genres with ease is no mean feat.

Crafted meticulously, 'Unknown’ explores themes of frustration with Durand questioning whether the feelings he has for his love interest are reciprocated. It’s one of his more vulnerable songs, that opens with a monologue tinted with disdain: “I’ve been working on myself, makin’ sure I have room for someone to be comfortable seated on this love sofa in my heart… but it seems you only have room for one.” Brassy horns accentuate the tumultuous journey he endures. 

The future looks even brighter for Durand, having received a maiden Grammy nomination for ‘En Route’ - up for Best Progressive Album. His distinct style has him in a category all on his own.

If you like this, listen to: ‘Intermission’ and ‘RACKET!’

11. Like Dat - LARA’ ft. Ambré

Track number 11 comes from Texas based singer-songwriter LARA’, an under-the-radar entry on the list. An exhilarating new voice in the game with recent album 'Luvology' under her belt, she cites “her experiences as a mother, partner, and Black woman navigating contemporary life” as the inspiration for her music. She’s teamed up with New Orleans native Ambré - who made her mark on UK audiences this summer with a performance at DLT’s The Recipe festival and solo London and Manchester shows - for lascivious tune ‘Like Dat’. 

One of the more sensual songs in the compilation, it serves as an exclusive invitation into an intimate world. It opens with a breathy “Good God”, representative of the journey the listener is about to be taken on. ‘Like Dat’ depicts an intense chemistry between two lovers through its lyrics - “fiending for it, asking can I have your babies last night” - further solidified by the musical chemistry between both LARA’ and Ambré, who interact like they’ve been working together for years. 

Both women’s saccharine vocals flawlessly slice through the dreamy, saxophone-laden instrumental, evoking a feeling of weightlessness; as though the listener is floating on a cloud. It’s the kind of song that encourages the visceral flashbacks that envelop your mind at the most inappropriate times. 

A highly addictive and assured addition to LARA’s inventory, it lands her firmly amongst the R&B girls of now.

If you like this, listen to: ‘Good Wine’ and ‘Mind Games’ / 'ELEVATE' and 'I’m Baby'

10. Night Off - Isaiah Falls ft. Sasha Keable

It’s been a stellar year for Isaiah Falls. Relatively unknown to the masses prior to 2024, the Florida native’s breakout single ‘Florida Baby’ - a nod to the women residing in his state - seemingly popped up out of nowhere and had us in a chokehold. The soundtrack to social media reels and photo dumps alike. His debut project 'Drugs n’ Lullabies' reached the ears of the public in July - 12 tracks that became the ideal companion to the summer. 

He brings a sense of calm to the R&B world, with velvety vocals and sublime production that he plays a large part in. Aptly named ‘the King of teasing music’ by fans on TikTok, 'Night Off' was officially released on December 13th after he’d left breadcrumbs on his social media accounts for three months straight. And for a further surprise, he announced that Sasha Keable would feature on the long-awaited song.

A self-care anthem that also explores the need to put an end to a situation that’s no longer positive, the listener is prompted to “take a night off, run your bath water, put ya body butter on.” Who can say no? It’s one of the few collaborations of late where the artist’s voices meld together so well. The deep timbre of Sasha’s tone intertwines with Isaiah’s bright offering.

Despite releasing this as well as mini EP 'Lucky Me' in the last few months, his comments are still inundated with pleas for more of his unreleased work to become available. It could be a matter of weeks or months until his next drop, but it’s no doubt worth waiting for.

If you like this, listen to: 'Diva' and 'Butterflies'

9. Beggin’ - Amaria

It’s a bold statement to make, but I’m going to go out on a limb and say maybe everything is better in Florida. The weather, the people, but most importantly, the music. 

The city of Tampa in particular continues to produce gems, from Destin Conrad to Neo-Soul 

princess Amaria. The 24-year-old officially stepped foot into the music industry in early 2020, with tracks ‘Morning’ and ‘Waiting’, both fully written and produced by herself. Two years later, her and the aforementioned Destin Conrad crossed paths to create magic in the form of ‘All For You’, the titular track on her second EP of the same name.

Still somewhat of a novice, her style has already been likened to that of icon Erykah Badu. When you sit and dive deep into her catalogue, the comparisons in fact hold a lot of truth.

Her debut album ‘Free Fallin’ hit streaming platforms on the 11th October, and with it came dreamy track ‘Beggin’. It’s an ethereal gift, Amaria’s vocals levitating over a delicate production. Akin to the whispering of sweet nothings, she sings “it’s all in the way you flow, that feels so good to me.” Airy and sensual.

Amaria creates music for the woman that drinks her greens, waters her plants and meditates daily. The woman who has no space in her life for anything that will deplete her energy. 

Just a warning, be prepared to overuse the repeat button.

If you like this, listen to: 'Lose Control’ and ‘Back To Me’

8. Eyes Wide Open - KWN

KWN's career has gone from strength-to-strength. From releasing her own songs on streaming platforms two years after their initial creation, to racking up over three million streams on her latest single accompanied by a plethora of dance routines from some of the top choreographers worldwide. She has experienced an admirable rise. 

‘Eyes Wide Open’ is quite possibly the song that launched her into the forefront. It showcases her musical flexibility, a story of wanting and harbouring feelings for an ex - whether it’s a partner or situationship, that’s up for debate - sung atop a moody backdrop. It’ll have you in your feelings and pondering whether it’s worth spinning the block. Spoiler alert: it’s not. 

As a whole, KWN exudes a raw authenticity. When asked to define the meaning of a true artist, her name should enter the conversation. As an independent artist she takes pride in her work and puts in the time and energy to promote herself. Her ‘Worst Behaviour’ roll-out saw “weeks of teasing on her socials and droves of fans rushing to her website to purchase the ‘limited release’.” It was organic, incited an element of panic, and it proved fruitful. She continues to tempt her listeners with previews of unreleased tracks on social media. Maybe we’ll see a reappearance for her on the next edition of this rundown.

If you like this, listen to: ‘Worst Behaviour’ and ‘Sweetie’

7. The Most - Sinéad Harnett 

Sinéad Harnett’s beginnings are a little different to the other artists on the list. Back in 2011, grime artist Wiley was searching for a singer to feature on his single ‘Walk Away’, and she was selected. What followed was a swift rise to prominence, Sinéad having captured the attention of the public with her silky voice. Subsequently, she found herself in high demand. She collaborated with duo Snakehips on 'Days With You' and 'No Other Way', the latter from her debut EP 'N.O.W', and with Disclosure on 'Boiling'. An impressive achievement as both artists were big in the electronic field at the time.

The self-confessed ‘Thai-rish’ - Thai and Irish - singer hasn’t slowed down since. An additional five projects later, and sold-out shows across the pond, we arrive at her latest album 'Boundaries'. It is a testament to Sinéad’s hard-working nature and exemplary quality. Carefully exploring themes of acceptance and personal growth, it’s a soundtrack to heal old wounds.

‘The Most’ is one of the most raw and honest songs on the project. During an interview with Principle Magazine, she said: “I’ve always just made the most and dealt with the bullshit. And then in that song, I’m like, ‘No. Fuck the bullshit’.” The track details the highs and lows of a relationship, swimming with unfulfilled needs and wishful thinking. 

Sinéad Harnett’s vocals are full-bodied. All-encompassing like a warm, tight hug you’ve been eagerly awaiting after a long week. She vocalises her contempt astutely, “you had me wishing you could mean what you say, but you’re so good at games” - never has a criticism sounded so beautiful.

If you like this, listen to: ‘Don’t Waste My Time’ and ‘Body’

6. No Chill - PartyNextDoor

PartyNextDoor, one of the prominent faces of R&B. He’s been feeding the streets with ambient R&B since 2013, when he released his inaugural self-titled project 'PARTYNEXTDOOR'. His career started at the age of 18 as a songwriter for a host of other artists, but over time, he decided to prioritise his own personal catalogue. Little did he know that he’d create a masterpiece in 'Break From Toronto', the song having amassed over 977 million streams on Spotify and counting. Something almost unheard of for your first foray into the music world.

His longevity within the genre is commendable. Despite his absence from the game for a short while, he managed to retain a very loyal fanbase. One that was enthusiastic to receive his fourth offering, 'P4'. 

The song that needs no introduction: ‘No Chill’. THE anthem from ‘P4’ that took social media by storm. It’s the kind of song you’d find at the top of a ‘night time drive’ playlist, very much soothing for the soul. If it’s one thing that PartyNextDoor knows it’s how to cater to all sections of his audience. We were treated three times over as we received a sped up and slowed down version of ‘No Chill’ alongside the original - each sounding just as divine as the last.

If you like this, listen to: ‘Turn Up’ and ‘Muse’

5. Jealousy - RUBII

It’s time to pay a visit to Birmingham-born creative, RUBII. She’s been making waves in R&B as an independent artist since 2019 with her debut single 'Bitter Lips', but the release of EP 'Olive Green' in 2023 was where she noticed more eyes on her work. Her monthly listeners on Spotify crept up to the one million mark, a number that has now more than doubled to 3.3 million.

She provides comforting vibes, expertly blending facets of R&B, neo-soul and hip-hop to create something that can only be described as heavenly. RUBII’s wordplay is titillating, her British accent standing out amongst the beat. Her second most popular track 'Jammin' is a sentimental love letter to her younger self, revealing that “this path is my fate … and still I’m here to stay.”

She opened her account this year with laid-back number 'Jealousy'. In true RUBII fashion, her signature conversational style shines through. In an appearance on the Juice Interviews podcast, when asked about the inspiration behind the song, RUBII said: “I’ve quite often experienced a little bit of competition and jealousy with people that I’m dating… I was like I’m going to write a song about it.” ‘Jealousy’ is a spirited track. Whilst she hints at the digs thrown at her by a previous partner - “said ‘I don’t like it’ when I’m on my shit, cause I’m just ‘so much better’ than you” - she provides a retort: “you could be on yours, but you keep on getting in my way.”

It’s abundantly clear that RUBII’s on a path to greatness. Despite her impressive skill, she exudes humility. She puts a lot of TLC into the art she creates, and as long as she continues, she will undoubtedly transcend the highest heights.

If you like this, listen to: ‘Chameleon’ and ‘Loner (Interlude)’

4. Clothes Off - Kehlani ft. KWN

You haven’t truly experienced R&B if a Kehlani song hasn’t graced your ears. An Oakland native, Kehlani’s singing career began as part of a band in 2009. She decided to pursue a solo career and thus, her EP 'Cloud 19' was born, ranked at number 28 on Complex’s ’50 Best Albums of 2014’ list. Less than a year later, she released her second EP, 'You Should Be Here’ which featured Chance the Rapper and BJ the Chicago Kid. 

Albeit comfortable with the journey she was taking, she’d never shied away from the idea of taking her music in a different direction. Her fifth album 'Crash' was described as a more experimental project - “chasing passions that refuse to fit in any box, shifting multiple times within a track” - displaying a side of her that listeners weren’t privy to. Unsurprisingly, it was met with a mixed reception. 

However, the release of 'While We Wait 2' - a sequel to the 2019 album 'While We Wait' - a mere two months later silenced any naysayers, reviving the parts of Kehlani that fans knew and loved that had carried through the entirety of her career. For a transatlantic link-up of epic proportions, Kehlani meets with KWN for the lusty track ‘Clothes Off’. It incorporates the quintessential elements of an R&B song: passion, emotion and silky vocals. The topic is pretty self-explanatory - both artists craving a skin-to skin affair. Erotic ad-libs are interweaved in the track, showcasing a woman in the throes of passion. 

It’s a downright nasty song, but in the best way.

If you like this, listen to: ‘Can I’ and ‘The Way’

3. Heart Of A Woman - Summer Walker 

There’d been a Summer Walker shaped hole in the fabric of R&B up until recently. The girls were itching for songs to use as a foundation to subtweet those that did them wrong. While 2023 saw Summer take more of a backseat with multiple features - 'Good Good', 'Hell N Back', 'So Be It' - she still delivered the follow-up to her 'Clear' EP with 'Clear 2: Soft Life'. But the public were still hoping for more.

She quelled the feelings of longing by announcing the third instalment of her album trilogy: ‘Finally Over It’. While the release date is still TBC, we’ve been given a taste of the direction in which the album will go with the first official single, ‘Heart Of A Woman’.

It’s a balmy ballad, straight out of the old school R&B playbook. The music video depicts her flitting through her album eras, dealing with the same instance of infidelity in each: ‘Over It’ displaying forgiveness, ‘Still Over It’ displaying indignation and ‘Finally Over It’, seemingly displaying freedom. It’s not uncommon for artists to drop off slightly with each new release, but with her clear cohesiveness, this isn’t something that she has to worry about.

The essence of Summer Walker’s music is being able to articulate a journey of healing, exploring complex emotions that the listener can empathise with - ‘Still Over It’ highlighting her highly publicised relationship with London on da Track. She has mastered the art of storytelling across her entire catalogue and with this, is able to keep listeners engaged even with a two year gap between releases. If she intends on following the lucrative formula used for its predecessors, ‘Finally Over It’ will hold a place in hearts and on charts for months to come.

If you like this, listen to: ‘Nobody Else’ and ‘Switch a N***a Out’

2. New Lover - Maeta

Maeta Kaplan, known mononymously as Maeta came from humble beginnings, launching her career with covers and original content uploaded to Soundcloud. Hailing from Indianapolis but now residing in Los Angeles, she used her debut EP ‘Do Not Disturb’ as a vessel to portray her journey and the feelings attached to it.

She has since released 13 track project ‘When I Hear Your Name’ - which features appearances from Lucky Daye and Ty Dolla $ign - and more recently, partnered up with prodigious electronic producer and DJ Kaytranada for her EP ‘Endless Night’. Speaking to Notion magazine, she says that she’s been “itching to break out of the R&B bubble for a while … I don’t want to be boxed into just one [genre].” Although it can be somewhat of a risk to step away from what you’re known for, in this case it panned out extremely well.

Despite this EP being heavily dance-infused, one of the more R&B leaning tracks ‘New Lover’ has earned a spot on this list. It’s reminiscent of a night at a swanky jazz club. Wearing a midnight black slinky dress, a martini glass deftly placed between your fingers. Sounds of a saxophone seep through the tranquil beat amongst Maeta’s honeyed vocals. And it’s all done so effortlessly.

Maeta looks set to continue rising through the ranks, her enchanting energy and musical prowess combining to create a recipe for success.

If you like this, listen to: ‘S(EX)’ and ‘Come Again’

1. Auction - Sasha Keable ft. Destin Conrad

 This is the second appearance on the list for British-Colombian powerhouse Sasha Keable. Having debuted in the R&B space over 10 years ago, 2024 has arguably been her most successful year yet. Sasha released ‘Hold Up’ in April following weeks of drumming up hype for the track with teasers on social media, bringing an end to her two year hiatus. And she certainly came back like she never left.

Three words to describe ‘Auction’: seductive, soulful and salacious. The collaboration the R&B world wasn’t expecting, but deeply craved. She’s joined by friend and R&B golden boy, Destin Conrad on the track that’s described in her own words as a "sexy ass tune I want people to have babies to.” Their vocals combine to create something akin to the richest, warmest cup of hot cocoa topped with the sweetest marshmallows. Pleasing from the inside out. If the word ‘desire’ had a song attached to it in the dictionary, ‘Auction’ would fit the bill.

Since this release, Sasha has sold-out venues in London and Paris - with London and Manchester on the cards for February 2025 - appeared on COLORS with a performance of her fourth single of the year 'WHY', and been co-signed by Beyoncé in an interview. So, nothing too crazy. 

If you like this, listen to: ‘Take Your Time’ and ‘Loyalty’ / ‘Low Tide’ and ‘EXCITED!’

Listen to the ‘Best of R&B 2024’ playlist here