18 R&B / Soul Artists and Singers to Watch in 2023

R&B artist that makes future Soul with an old Soul essence

Q Steven Marsden who artistically just goes by his single letter name Q, is a dynamic artist whose music we are constantly in anticipation for. The Floridian musician is the son to Jamaican parents both of whom are musically gifted; his father Steven “Lenky” Marsden being a legendary dancehall producer. Q is a mysterious type whose Spotify profile simply lists him as a “human who makes music”. His sound is both heavily inspired by funk and the essence of Soul, yet has a modern, even futuristic edge that’s blowing up with young fans.

His performance of ‘Today’ at the 2022 Soul Train awards was one of the most impressive of the year. Watching him perform each song with such purpose and passion will stop you in your tracks. Definitely one of the most exciting new R&B singers out and one to watch.

Start With ‘Today’ , ‘Take Me Where Your Heart Is‘

R&B singer group that makes music for when you’re finally over your ex

We stan FLO and were one of the first to call them out as R&B artists to watch. Made up of Stella Quaresma, Jorja Douglas and Renée Downer, FLO formed in 2019. Their melodious harmonies and sweet personalities are reminiscent of our fave 90s and 2000s R&B girl groups who linger sweetly in our memories. FLO have already made it onto TV screens with the legendary Jools Holland show in the UK and Jimmy Kimmel in the US. Impressively, FLO also made a record of being the first group to win both the Brits Rising Star Award and BBC Sound of 2023. They are making big moves and hopefully encouraging more girl groups and R&B artists to take the lead just like their many UK group predecessors! 

Start With ‘Summertime’

R&B artist that makes music for warm reflection

Elmiene’s music first came to public attention after his song ‘Golden’ opened Virgil Abloh’s final Louis Vuitton show, just two days after the designer’s passing. The song felt warming for what was a sombre moment, with comments asking who’s voice that was. Elmiene lists D’Angelo and Prince as his inspirations, the latter of which you can hear in the crescendo of‘Why (Spare Me Tears)’. With only a few tracks released and a pending EP, we’re eagerly waiting to hear  more from him. In the meantime you can find him joyfully and carelessly singing away on his TikTok. One of the R&B artists set to truly make his mark in 2023.

Start With ‘Golden’

R&B artists defying the boundaries and boxes of genre

Tendai, a Canning Town local, is a genre-bending R&B artist on iconic UK rapper Stormzy’s 0207DefJam. He is specific with the signifiers in his videos and carefully selects the lyrics that’ll create the perfect movie in the heads of his listeners. Dark purple is how he describes his music, a colour often associated with wealth and wisdom.

Tendai can’t be put in a box. His work features a variety of sounds, from the rocky Infinite Straight with rough and wispy vocals  to the garage-influenced ‘Lately ‘ and R&B-inspired ‘Pressure‘. His music is rich and purposeful, the depth of purple  truly seeping through.

Start With ‘Pressure‘

R&B artist that makes music for when you’re falling in love 

Filipino-born R&B singer RINI developed his craft in the cities of Melbourne and Los Angeles. RINI released his debut album, Constellations, in 2021 and has been providing dreamy and romantic tracks ever since. He creates music for people who love gooey dramatic songs to sing to their crushes. The feeling of his music is like butterflies in your stomach. Tune in for slow, sensual vibes that are sweet like young love. 

Start With ‘Meet Me In Amsterdam’

R&B artist that makes music for when you’re hosting drinks

You might recognise this natural born entertainer from his Vine days. We had known him to be a big personality but necessarily for his captivating cool boy vocals. Destin Conrad’s mother said he could sing before he could talk and now we know why. His most recent EP Satin is a level up from his previous work, feeling more mature and distinct in its delivery. An all round talent, Conrad has also written songs for (and is touring with) Pop / R&B singer favourite Kehlani. If you can’t catch him on tour, get some friends together and hang to his music instead. 

Start With ‘On 10‘

R&B artist to set the vibe with emotive storytelling

South Londoner, Ojerime has been a gem of the British R&B scene for a minute. 5 projects in, Ojerime is truly in her own sonic lane. Ojerime’s sound is heavily influenced by ’90s R&B, yet is refreshingly experimental. Tinges of Hip Hop, tinges of electronic music and more can be heard. With Ojerime’s signature dulcet tones and layered harmonies guiding the way.

Lyrically, Ojerime is a story teller with a knack for deep emotive stories. The past few years has seen Ojerime on the rise, with sold out headlines in the UK and streaming success across the world. We look forward to more from her as one of the fast-rising R&B artists of 2023.

Start With ‘Give it up to me‘

R&B artist that makes music for refreshingly candid takes on love and relationships

South London R&B singer Debbie’s re-interpretation of J Hus’ ‘Did You See’ in her debut single,‘Is This Real Love’ (proudly exclusively premiered by us) caught traction across TikTok. The 0207DefJam signee said she worked alongside Wretch 32 and PRGRSHN to refine it. Debbie’s slow soulful songs are organic recounts of her real life experiences, the best kind of art. As well as a couple of features on Stormzy’s latest album, Debbie has also opened for the likes of John Legend and Lucky Daye. Excited for more from this new voice. Definitely one of the top R&B artists to keep your eye on in 2023.

Start With ‘Cherry Wine’

R&B artist that makes music for self care

Ghanaian-American artist Flozigg’s work is centred around self love, vulnerability and softness as a black man. He sings, directs and produces, offering him the freedom to explore these different topics and a variety of avenues and sounds on how to express them. His music gently envelops a heavy pouring of R&B’s undeniable sexiness, and a sprinkling of indie’s ability to capture the rose-tinted crush feeling. Ultimately his art feels empowering and joyful, even when exploring topics of doubt. There’s an everything gonna be alright air that remains with listeners after each song. 

Start With ‘FLOOR

R&B artist that makes music for laidback soulful moments

The Neo-Soul sweetheart from Newham. Lizzie Berchie is a little bit sultry, a little bit sweet. Berchie welcomes you to her world by gently pulling you into storytimes about the beauty of flourishing love alongside the world’s own heartaches and grief such as in tracks ‘Nsala’ and ‘Trying’. Her first EP, feels like a safe space to reflect and grieve alongside observing the warmth and care that can be found amongst us. 

Start With ‘Pass Time‘

R&B artist that makes music that chronicles situationships through earworms

Raheaven makes candid music for the girlies who are embracing rather than running away from heartache. She’s your British Pop meets R&B best friend who is confident in her future and learning from her past. Her candied vocals and mellow production makes for effortless listening. Raheaven is refreshing but also feels familiar due to her frank lyrics and melodiously rhythmic beats. 

Start With ‘7AM’

R&B artist that makes music for chill sunday morning vibes with jazz tinges

Sophie Faith has a voice that makes you interrupt your conversation to shout “hold up, whose this?” Her latest project, The Right Side of Wrong is a collection of Jazz-Soul soothing tales about imperfections, self growth and the intricacies of love. She includes hints of gospel style compositions for achingly tender songs such as  ‘Heart is on my Sleeve’ (co-written with Stormzy). Soulful harmonies also flow throughout, on tracks like ‘Pinky Blues’. 

See also

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20 R&B Artists to Watch in 2024

Start With ‘Flowers’

R&B artist that makes music for experimental post-dinner party drinks vibes

Hailing from Dallas, Texas, Liv.e’s sound is dazed and dreamy. A mixture of soul and jazz, her debut album Couldn’t Wait to Tell You live-streamed on the Queen of Neo-Soul, Erykah Badu’s website. An album she wrote from her mum’s home, it is heavily experimental with zealous Jazz and slower bluesy tunes such as ‘About Love at 21’. Late 2021, she returned with a Listening to Liv.e has the ability to both relax and transcend you to another sphere. Lie back and let her take you on a journey. 

Start With ‘Wild Animals’

R&B artist that makes music for when you’re singing with your chest alone in the car

SIPHO. has a voice that is instantly distinguishable and endlessly captivating. His work tales experiences of faith and the black male existence. SIPHO.’s music lights a fire in listeners hearts they may not have realised was otherwise out. The odd moments we hear his falsetto helps to soften the strength of his words such as in ‘OCCASION’ and ‘CHIASMA’. He is an artist that demands your attention with ease. Leaning more towards the blues in R&B with a rock grittiness that makes you want to get up out of your seat and move, shout, cry, just let it all out. One of the UK R&B singers set to take the world by storm.

Start With ‘OCCASSION’

R&B artist that makes music for your first walk in spring

The South London star BINA. is here to heal and soothe via her balmy vocals. For Alternative R&B, meets Neo-Soul meets Jazztronica, BINA. is your girl. Expect Jazzy piano keys in Just a Sec, and gleefully euphonious rhythms in songs like Do Not Disturb. It’s a joy to hear BINA. in collabs with other artists such as Kish! on Caged Bird.  Each singer complementing the others gifts to collaboratively tell a story inspired by Maya Angelou’s first novel, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. 

Start With ‘Dark Cloud‘

R&B artist producer for the perfect chill summer vibes

R&B and Soul sounds, rooted in Jazz and lifted by a little bit of
Venna hypnotised listeners with the release of Venology in 2021. With his seductive saxophone, he recruited some of the best UK talent  (Jvck James, Knucks) to share in this musical debauchee. At the head of musicality and Neo-Jazz, Venna is both talented and cool with it. Now a Grammy-award winning producer for his work on Burna Boy’s ‘African Giant’, his ability to shape shift across genres, yet always bring a Soulful essence, is unmatched.

Venna and his sax bring a new perspective to making R&B / Soul. He infuses Hip Hop and R&B in this contemporary Jazz blend. 2023 will see Venna reap the product of his musical seeds with the release of a highly anticipated second project, EQUINOX.

Start With ‘Tam Tam’, ‘Sun, Moon & Herbs’

R&B artist that makes music for your next house party

Funk and Soul sounds, rooted in Jazz and lifted by a little bit of house. Atlanta DJ, singer and producer Flwr Chyld has pure good vibes. His music feels buoyant and playful. Citing Erykah Badu as one of his main inspirations, you can hear a confident exploratory nature to his music that Ms. Badu was renowned for. Even the late (and forever magnificent) Prince has mentioned that Flwr Chyld felt special to him. If Prince said he’s good then you know it’s true, but we’d advise you to listen for yourself. 

Start With ‘Worth It‘

R&B artist producer that makes music for when you’re driving in your car with the windows down

Leaning more towards a mix of Hip-Hop and R&B, Nikhil Beats is the upcoming East-London producer and vocalist that you’ll be name dropping to friends almost instantly. He released his first EP Earthly Desires Lead to Enlightenment in 2022 that features a myriad of voices. A slight Jazz influenced energy flows throughout, but its spirit is rooted in the warm and moody vibes of R&B. 

Start With ‘Think About It’