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 2025 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 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
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
New R&B Songs in playlist update 31 Oct 2025
Daniel Caesar, Sampha – Rain Down
Brent Faiyaz – have to.
Ragz Originale – mad ova u
Gabriel Jacoby – baby
Jordan Ward, SAILORR – SMOKIN POTNA
Elmiene – Miss Hot July
Leon Thomas – My Muse
Ari Lennox – Under the Moon
Lexa Gates – Nothing to Worry About
Chronixx – Survivor
Olivia Dean – Lady Lady
Tanerelle – Feels Like Love
Josh Levi – Say It
Chase Shakur – UNDERCOVER ANGEL
Natanya – Jezebel
Tiana Major9, Yebba – Always
Dave, Kano – Chapter 16
Kofi Stone, Maverick Sabre – Venice
Mobb Deep, Jorja Smith – Down For You
Ife Ogunjobi, Samm Henshaw – Cali
Monte Booker, Mereba – b 2 b
New R&B Songs in playlist update 7 Oct 2025
Anaiis – Moonlight
Syd – GMFU
Dylan Sinclair – Stay Home
Isaiah Falls, Alex Isley – Just a Dream
Noah Guy, Amaria – My Loss
Mahalia – Pity
Bellah – Boo Thang Bootcamp
Kojey Radical, MNEK – Drinking My Water
Mick Jenkins, Enny, Emil – Words I Should’ve Said
BLK ODYSSY – Waves
Mnelia, Tone Stith – Burn
Mariah Carey, Anderson .Paak – Play This Song
Samm Henshaw, Tori Kelly – Find My Love
Ari Lennox – Vacancy
Thundercat – I Wish I Didn’t Waste Your Time
New R&B Songs in playlist update 8 Sept 2025
Destin Conrad – Wash u Away
Jenevieve – Flight Risk
Amaarae, Charlie Wilson – Dream Scenario
Isaiah Falls, SiR – Brown Sugar
Tiana Major9 – Shook One
Elmiene – Damage Control
Demae – Steppers
Kojey Radical, Planet Giza – Expensive
Ego Ella May – What We Do
Venna, Jorja Smith – Myself
rum.gold – Is It Something I Said
Meduulla – Melanin Monroe
Earl Sweatshirt – gsw vs sac
threetwenty – Still Blessed
Tay Iwar – Wonderful
Chase shakur – tell me why
New R&B Songs in playlist update 2 August 2025
Jane Handcock – Use Me
Amaria – All I’d Ever Know
Giveon – Back Up Plan
Kokoroko – Da Du Dah
Tyler the Creator – Ring Ring Ring
Brent Faiyaz – Peter Pan
Daniel Caesar – Have A Baby (With Me)
Justin Beiber – Yukon
Nectar Woode – Light As A Feather
Odeal , Leon Thomas – Miami
Amber Mark – Sweet Serotonin
Loaded Honey – Only Gonna Let You Down
BINA. – Tracy Beaker
Demae – Don’t Play The Fool
Venna, Leon Thomas – Twisting
New R&B Songs in playlist update 2 July 2025
Jenevieve – Head Over Heels
kwn – back of the club
anaiis – Deus Deus
India Shawn – Kill Switch
Sasha Keable – Feel Something
CARI – Luvhii
Sam Wills – Coulda Been Us
TheArti$t – Gravity
Leon Thomas, Kehlani – Dirt On My Shoes
Ovrkast, Saba, Frsh Waters – Dog Days
Emotional Oranges, Isaiah Falls – Talk About Us
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.
