The Top 100 essential new R&B songs of 2026. Selects of the new songs in R&B / Soul music we can’t stop playing right now
Listen to the 100 Best New R&B songs right now on Spotify
Not on Spotify? Listen to the playlist on YouTube now
R&B music in 2026 is in a truly exciting place! Artists in R&B / Soul music are pushing musical boundaries and exploring multi-genre influences in new ways. Meanwhile, the commercial success of artists like Sza and the meteoric rise of R&B singer girl group, FLO, are signs that the genre is set to make a strong comeback to the charts.
With that backdrop, we have curated a special playlist showcasing the best of the genre. ‘On the Wave R&B‘ is our flagship playlist of the best new R&B songs in the world right now. Moreover, the playlist is available now on Spotify and YouTube. We have curated a special playlist showcasing the best of the genre. Our ‘On the Wave R&B‘ playlist presents the 100 most essential songs in R&B and Soul music right now. What’s more, it’s updated weekly for ever-freshness.
Showcasing, R&B, Soul and Soulful rap music, proving that Soulful music thrives still in many expressions. Visit our Discover new music section for a selection of the best new albums and EPs in these genres.
See our playlist of our favourite new R&B from the underground
New R&B Songs in playlist update 17 June 2026
Jim Legxacy – idk idk
Syd, Blu June – Callin
Steve Lacy – the feeling
Tamera – Sinner
6LACK, Leon Thomas, AZ Chike – All That Matters
Isaiah Rashad – SAME SHIT
Jenevieve, Freddie Gibbs, SALIMATA – Flight Risqué
Tora-i – Girl
Manny Norte, Ayanna – Can We Make It Real?
Natanya – Don’t Ask
Nia Smith – High
Jaz Karis – Life is Unfair
Mack Keane – Cherry Red
Ama – Holding Back
Kwn – idea of love
Fana Hues – Recognize
Like – Build Me Up
Jay Worthy, Novelist – … No Price
Isaiah Rashad – SCARED 2 LOOK DOWN
Foggieraw, Ari Lennox – Stay Awhile
Arin Ray, Paperboy Fabe – Both of Us
Kaelin Ellis, Madison McFerrin, SWEATA – Hello Morning
Destin Conrad – DIAMOND GOLD
Flwr Chyld – Squeeze
Felix Ames – Crack A Smile
Lekan – Safety
Blxst, Sasha Keable – Ruin
Ebubé, Tyler Lewis – Coming Home
Eric Bellinger – Cry In Front Of You
New R&B Songs in playlist update 22 Mar 2026
Coco Jones – Luvagirl
Alex Isley – Westside
Baby Keem, Kendrick Lamar, Momo Boyd – Good Flirts
Mannywellz, Wale – How It Feels
Ama, Brent Faiyaz – Need It Bad
6LACK – Bird Flu
Isaiah Falls – TABOO
Gareth Donkin – Never Gonna Break Your Heart
Finn Askew – Distance
Foggieraw, Larry June – Disrespectfully Decline
Samara Cyn –Good is a LIE
Nia Smith, Destin Conrad – Tough
Mary Ann Alexander – Too Much?
Tia Gordon – Should I give it up?
WESLEYFRANKLIN – Racing
New R&B Songs in playlist update 24 Feb 2026
Brent Faiyaz – Butterflies
Kwn – Hopeless Romantic
Mack Keane – Ordinary Feelings
Jill Scott, J.I.D – To B Honest
Devin Donnell – Dandy
Essosa – Touch bby
Noah Guy – Higher
Yebba – Yellow Eyes
Rjtheweirdo – Tricks Are For Kids
Charlotte Day Wilson – If Only
Tiana Major9 – Desire
Victoria Monét – Let Me
Baby Rose, Leon Thomas – Friends Again
Kwaku Asante – Lights On
New R&B Songs in playlist update 4 Feb 2026
Ella Mai – 100
Ari Lennox – Mobbin in DC
Kofi Stone, D Double E – Flowers Flow (Remix)
PHABO – Before we get in here
Joyce Wrice – Break me in
Ragz Originale, COSIMA – archive prada
Samm Henshaw – hair down
Jordan Ward – STRANGER (COLORS)
Debbie – The Rain Isn’t Over
Camper, Stevie Wonder – LOVE ME
Tiana Major9, Kenyon Harrold – Energy!
RAAHiiM, Karri – SLIDE4U (Hating)
Ego Ella May – What you waiting for
Shaé Universe, Ariel J. – Journey to the Sun
GENA, Liv.e, Karriem Riggins – Lead it up
Moonchild, PJ Morton – Fear (Hey Friend)
Foggieraw – Boyfriend in yo brain
New R&B Songs in playlist update 12 Jan 2026
Doechii, Sza – girl, get up
threetwenty – fruit
Jill Scott – Beautiful People
Tyler Daley – Can’t Say No
Tone Stith – Fly
THEHONESTGUY – PRETTY WOMAN (WICKED)
GENA – HOW WE FLOW
Flwr Chyld, Malaya – BitterSweet
Moonchild, Robert Glasper, D Smoke – Up From Here
ELIZA – Anyone Else
Sasha Keable – TAI CHI
STEVIE, Nolais – Circles
Lekan – Come Thru
Elmiene – Cry Against The Wind
Samara Cyn – what will they say
Fridayy, Mariah the Scientist – Death Do Us Part
New R&B Songs in playlist update 25 Nov 2025
Masego – Unhinged
Gabriel Jacoby, Tom. G. – bootleg
tendai – SMN
Tems – What You Need
Summer Walker, SAILORR – How Sway
BOY SODA, Ambré – Lil’ Obsession
Elmiene – By Now
Marzz – Come Home
Arno Sacco – Two Shots (Looking For Love)
Knucks, Tiwa Savage – YAM PORRIDGE
Kofi Stone – Flowers Flow
Mack Keane – Candycrush
Nia Smith – Limit
Pino, Avenoir, Maz B, 86 – Can’t Leave Alone
Samm Henshaw – Float
Check out our On The Wave playlist of the 100 best new R&B releases above. Updated with our selection of the best new R&B / Soul releases weekly.
