The definitive list and playlist of the new R&B artists and singers set to blow big in 2026. Gabriel Jacoby, Natanya, Jaymin, AMA, Lekan & more.
R&B continues to evolve, but what’s most exciting right now isn’t just the sound. It’s the intention behind it. This cluster of artists are moving with purpose. Blending genres, embracing vulnerability, and building identities that feel real rather than manufactured. There’s less focus on chasing moments and more focus on creating music that lasts.
From soulful purists to alternative innovators and globally influenced voices, these 30 artists represent where R&B is heading next.
Gabriel Jacoby
An eclectic R&B artist ingrained in soulful honesty
Gabriel Jacoby leans into the quieter side of R&B, where emotion sits in the details rather than the drama. His songwriting feels introspective, unpacking love and identity with a sense of calm honesty over warm, stripped-back production. There’s no rush in his delivery, and that patience allows each lyric to land with intent. It’s the kind of music you return to when you need to sit with your thoughts.
Start with – gutta child
AMA
An R&B artist delivering soft emotion with real impact
Whilst not a breakout artist, AMA’s artistic revamp continues to bear fruit in 2026. An artist who has always followed her own intuition, she has a way of expressing vulnerability without over-explaining it. That subtle approach makes her records feel personal in a way that resonates long after the song ends.
Start with – Need It Bad
Anaiis
An artist creating R&B infused in healing and reflection
Anaiis doesn’t just make songs, she creates moments of stillness. Blending soul, jazz, and global influences, her music feels grounding and intentional. Often centred around healing and self-awareness, there’s a sense of care in every detail. From her vocals to the instrumentation. It’s music that invites you to slow down and reconnect with yourself.
Start with – Deus Deus
DAMEDAME*
A dynamic R&B duo pushing the envelope sonically
The Birmingham based duo thrive in the unknown, constantly stretching what R&B can sound like. Their blend of soulful undertones with experimental production, leans into textures that feel off-centre serve but provide an effortless vibe.
Start with – PROMISE
Jaymin
An R&B artist merging trap soul with effortless precision
Jaymin delivers a polished take on modern R&B, effortlessly leaning into the trapsoul pocket with smooth melodies and clean production. His sound balances emotion and rhythm, allowing him to explore themes of love, ambition, and storytelling that resonates.
Start with – Something Real
Mannywellz
A R&B artist bringing capturing sensuality with global energy
Mannywellz brings a sense of calm and soulful personality into everything he creates. His fusion of R&B with afro and global influences gives his music a vibrant, rhythmic core that instantly connects. There’s a joy in his sound that feels genuine, not manufactured. His music carries a genuine sense of light and energy that keeps it engaging.
Start with – So Good
Nia Smith
An R&B artist channeling timeless soul through a modern lens
Nia Smith carries a richness in her voice that immediately stands out. Her music taps into traditional soul foundations, but presents them through a modern lens that feels current and relevant. Whether singing about love or self-worth, it feels lived in rather than imagined. There’s a depth and maturity in her delivery that makes her records feel timeless.
Start with – Tough
GENA
A soulful duo serving refreshingly nuanced heartwarming Neo-Soul.
Renowned drummer Karriem Riggins and singer-songwriter Liv.e form the eclectic duo known as GENA. Together, they have curated a groovy jazz infused inspired lane of Neo-Soul which leans into simplistic honesty and emotional clarity. The sound is smooth and contemporary, with a warm approach to songwriting that really connects.
Start with – Lead It Up
Girlfriend
An R&B artist crafting dreamy and intimate soundscapes
Girlfriend creates music that feels like stepping into a mood. Her sound is hazy, soft, and built around atmosphere, allowing emotion to sit at the forefront without distraction. There’s a nostalgic undertone that runs through her sound, giving it a slightly otherworldly feel. It’s the kind of R&B that wraps around you rather than demands attention.
Start with – Sticky Situation
Boy Soda
An R&B artist fusing indie textures with laid-back soul
Boy Soda’s music feels relaxed, but there’s intention in every layer. The Australian based artist amalgamates R&B with indie influences, creating a warming sound that’s easy to listen to but full of subtle detail. Married to this is a fantastically warm vocal range that taps into layered personable storytelling. It’s simply effortless on the surface, whilst remaining rewarding the deeper you listen.
Start with – Lil’ Obsession
Lekan
An R&B artist merging melodic rhythm with soulful storytelling
Lekan builds his sound around rhythm, but never at the expense of feeling. His afro-influenced approach gives his music movement, while his vocals keep everything grounded in emotion. There’s a smooth confidence in how he delivers each track. It feels natural, whilst remaining raw and intentional.
Start with – Make It Right
Debbie
An R&B artist whose voice transcends raw emotion
Debbie’s strength lies in how she delivers emotion. Her voice feels open and expressive, carrying themes of love and vulnerability with ease. There’s a rawness in her tone that makes her music feel unfiltered. Her songwriting ability is stupendous, you don’t just hear what she’s saying, you feel it.
Start with – Midnight Calls
Nectar Woode
An R&B artist bringing an abundance warmth and uplifting energy to the table
Nectar Woode brings a natural warmth to her music that’s hard to ignore. Her blend of soul and jazz creates a light, uplifting sound that still carries depth. She leans into joy and self-expression without it feeling forced upon you. It’s the kind of music that instantly shifts and transcends your vibe.
Start with – How’s It Gotta Be
Tendai
An R&B artist exploring raw emotion with a modern edge
Tendai’s music sits in a sweet spot that feels both modern and introspective. His sound blends alternative R&B with emotional storytelling that often reflects inner conflict and growth. There’s a quiet intensity in how he approaches and delivers his music. It doesn’t overwhelm, but it stays with you and leaves you urging for more.
Start with – Wishin
Natanya
An R&B artist redefining sound through bold experimentation
Natanya moves with a sense of creative freedom that sets her apart. Her sound is experimental, her tone is distinct, and she doesn’t aim to follow a predictable path. There’s an unpredictability to her music that keeps it engaging. Everything with her just feels organically instinctive and this is why she is in a lane of her own.
Start with – On Ur Time
Mack Keane
An artist delivering infectious alt-R&B with refined expression
Mack Keane brings a refined alternative touch to R&B, blending smooth vocals with subtle jazz influences. His music feels polished, but still emotionally grounded, whilst remaining sonically expressive sonically. There’s a vocal richness in his tone that adds depth to his sound. Mack delivers the kind of artistry that grows on you over time.
Start with – Ordinary Feelings
Arno Sacco
An R&B artist providing atmospheric warmth
Arno Sacco heavily leans into creating a feeling rather than following structure. This approach pays dividend, as the spatially atmospheric vibe creates a vibe that takes you to cloud 9. Arno’s vocally ability truly steals the show and the stripped back production style truly enables this. There’s a nice balance between soul and patience in how his tracks unfold and we are fully here for it!
Start with – Two Shots
Noah Guy
An artist that blends alternative R&B with introspective storytelling and a subtle, moody edge
Noah Guy makes music that pulls you into a reflective, almost hazy space. His blend of alternative R&B and moody production creates a sound that feels introspective without ever losing its edge. It’s the kind of music that unfolds slowly, drawing you deeper with every listen.
Start with – THAT’S MY
Demae
An R&B artist letting honesty and soul lead every note
Demae creates R&B that feels lived in, rooted in real emotion and quiet reflection. Her sound carries warmth and honesty, exploring identity and growth with a steady, grounded touch. Within that is unique artistry that pierces through aesthetically as well as sonically. There’s no rush in her delivery, just intention. It’s music that meets you where you are and stays there.
Start with – Don’t Play The Fool
Arima Ederra
An R&B artist crafting soundscapes that feel like worlds of their own
Arima Ederra builds immersive R&B that feels less like songs and more like spaces. Her blend of ambient textures and soul invites you to slow down and sit with the moment. Nothing feels rushed or overdone but instead thematically striking artistry, with each track unfolding into its own world.
Start with – Gemini Eyes
Mary Ann Alexander
An R&B artist blending culture, rhythm and identity into one fluid sound
Mary Ann Alexander pulls from the roots of soul and reshapes it with quiet confidence. Her voice carries heartwarming emotion with clarity whilst navigating through themes love and resilience. She has been making huge strides in recent months and is carrying the nation of India along with her on this R&B ride. There’s a timeless quality to her sound that feels both familiar whilst renewed.
Start with – Student of Love
Pimmie
An artist carving her own lane in R&B with calm control, soft energy, and quiet self-belief
Pimmie brings a quiet confidence that pulls you in instantly. Her R&B feels fresh, light, and easy to connect with, rooted in love, mood and honest self-expression. It’s smooth and effortless in her delivery, but never lacking depth.
A co-sign from none other than Drake has helped push her further into the spotlight, opening new doors and fast-tracking her rise. Still, she keeps it authentic, never losing the ease that makes her stand out.
Start with – Over Freestyle
NALI
An artist reimagining vintage R&B with modern intent
NALI’s voice feels like a warm conversation you didn’t know you needed. Soft and soothing, she pulls you into her world with ease, layering soulful rhythms beneath vocals that feel deeply personal. There’s a gentle intimacy in how she delivers each line, making every listen feel closer than the last. Each detail feels considered, giving her music a quiet depth that serves its purpose.
Start with – Options
Dylan Sinclair
An artist that delivers sleek R&B while keeping the emotion front and centre
Dylan Sinclair crafts R&B with clear intention. Clean, refined production sets the tone, while his smooth, controlled vocals carry emotion with ease. Each record feels thoughtfully structured, letting every moment land naturally. He continues to grow into a more polished artist, staying rooted in his artistic purpose.
Start with – Open
Anieszka
An R&B artist expressing vulnerability through softness and control
Anieszka, coming out of Australia, sits right in that pocket where modern neo-soul meets R&B. Her sound feels soft and understated, but it carries real presence. She leans into vulnerability and subtle experimentation in a way that feels natural, not forced.
There’s a quiet confidence in how she delivers. Nothing feels loud or overdone, but it still lands and stays with you.
Start with – How Do I
Olivia Escuyos
An R&B artist telling delicate stories that linger beyond the moment
Olivia Escuyos leans into the delicate side of R&B, where emotion unfolds gently. Hailing from Australia, her storytelling feels intimate, often exploring love and self-discovery with an effortlessly silky textures. There’s a calm honesty in her sound that instantly draws you in.
Start with – On Top
Finn Askew
An R&B artist pushing forward with confidence and a style that’s truly his
Finn Askew creates music that feels like a real-time reflection of youth and self-discovery. Blending alternative R&B with indie and lo-fi textures, his sound carries a raw, unfiltered lyrical honesty that draws you in straight away.
His infectiously soulful, raspy vocals grab your attention from the first note, giving his music an edge that feels both intimate and alive. It’s that mix of bold individuality and instinctive sound that makes him stand out without trying too hard.
Start with – Distance
WESLEYFRANKLIN
An R&B artist creating effortless vibes that stay with you
WESLEYFRANKLIN has been quietly building a catalogue that shows steady growth and clear direction. His releases lean into smooth, soulful R&B, gaining attention from listeners who value feeling over flash.
His sound feels effortless but intentional. Warm production, easy melodies, and soft vocals come together with a laid-back confidence that lingers well after the music ends.
Start with – SPEECHLESS
Tia Gordon
An artist that blends smooth polish with heartfelt, modern R&B emotion
Tia Gordon is carving out her space with a sound that feels both modern and emotionally rich. Her music leans into smooth R&B textures, carried by vocals that feel warm, controlled, and full of artistic intent. There’s a natural ease in how she delivers her music, allowing the emotion to land without ever feeling overworked.
Start with – Love
Ebube
An R&B artist delivering soulful depth with honest, emotionally rich storytelling
Ebube brings a true sense of intimate depth to R&B that feels rooted yet forward-thinking. His sound blends rich melodies with honest storytelling, merged with a uniquely captivating vocal range. Resulting in music that feels personal from the first listen.
His vocals carry a smooth, expressive tone that pulls you in, sitting comfortably over production that gives him space to fully connect. There’s a calm confidence in how he approaches his craft, and it’s that authenticity that continues to draw listeners closer.
Start with – Lay With Me
This isn’t just a watchlist, it’s a real-time snapshot of where R&B stands today. Different sounds, different stories, but all moving with the same intent. Authentic, boundary-pushing, and fully themselves.
That’s what makes this moment special. R&B as a soundscape continues to feel open again. Personal, fearless, and impossible to predict.
