Disclaimer: These 10 Best R&B albums of each year 2010-2019 were ranked based on impact, influence and popularity. This list only includes studio albums and does not consist of EP’s, compilations or mixtapes.
10. Snoh Aalegra – Ugh, those feels again
Ugh those feels again is the second album by Iranian descent, Swedish born singer Snoh Aalegra. The album was released on August 26th 2019. Snoh draws influence from jazz, neo-soul and R&B to create her unique sound which she describes as ‘Cinematic soul’. The record drew inspiration from Snoh’s long-term relationship coming to an end, which she characterized as ‘depressing’ and ‘exhausting’. Ugh, those feels again can be described as Snoh’s turbulent journey of falling in and out of love. Tracks like ‘ Nothing to Me’ find Snoh process where everything went wrong in her past relationship and her new found self-affirmation. The album is simply a timeless tale of love and continues to break the outdated model of female R&B.
Highlights include : Whoa, situationships, find someone like you, you , nothing to me
9. Bryson Tiller – Trap Soul
Trap Soul is the debut album by Bryson Tiller, it was released on October 2nd, 2015. The album simply describes Tillers sound, which is a combination of soul and trap music. Bryson’s music is similar to the moody R&B sound, similarly like Toronto star The Weeknd but less melancholic. The album is an introduction to Bryson as a person, where he gives us personal ballads like exchange. Trap Soul touches on heartbreak, love and life before fame. The album gave us a view into Bryson’s world, since the singer is very private. The album was one of the setting stones for modern R&B. The album success had led to it being certified double platinum two years later.
Highlights include: sorry not sorry, Don’t , exchange and overtime
8. Beyoncé – Beyoncé
Beyoncé is the eponymous fifth solo album by the singer released December 13th, 2013. The album was developed as a ‘visual album’ as Beyoncé wanted people to hear the songs with the vision she had imagined for the album. The album impacted the general release of music, as Monday was the usual day artist had released music, but since Beyoncé had dropped her album on Friday artist and labels decided to follow her lead. Beyoncé included intimate themes such as love, sex, monogamy, relationships and femininity. The album was more experimental in comparison to Bey’s earlier work as it combined contemporary R&B with electronic, trap and soul influences. Bey’s album had sold over 800,00 copies in its first three days becoming the fastest-selling album in the history of iTunes at the time. The album success followed three Grammy wins; best surround album, best R&B song and best R&B performance. However, she had lost to Beck for album of the year which Kanye had voiced his disagreement at the awards.
Highlights include: Pretty Hurts, Drunk in Love, Partition, XO and Rocket.
7. Frank Ocean – Blonde
Blonde is the second album by Frank after a four year hiatus. The album was initially called ‘ Boys Don’t Cry ‘ and expected for release in July 2015. However, the album was delayed and eventually released August 20th, 2016. Blonde features an abstract minimal sound in comparison to Frank’s earlier works. Instrumentals on the album were more atmospheric and unconventional like ‘Skyline To’ which give an outdoors feel. The album found Frank experiment with traditional R&B styles into his own unique sound. Blonde touches on numerous subjects such as sexuality, depression, love, substance abuse and religion. The success of Blonde led to the album being certified platinum in 2019 and being voted best album of the 2010’s by pitchfork.
Highlights include: Nikes, Ivy, nights, self control , Futura free
6. The Weeknd – Beauty Behind The Madness
Beauty Behind the Madness is the second studio album by Canadian singer The Weeknd. The album was released August 28th, 2015. Before its release Abel had said his last album felt like one long track because he was yet to explore what the world had to offer. The album stylistically can be compared to the great Michael Jackson, who Abel states as a major influence in his musical career. Beauty Behind the Madness had seen Abel explore a more commercial sound and step out of his melancholic vibe. The album sold 412,000 units in its first week and its success led to album winning a Grammy at the 2016 awards.
Highlights include: Often, The Hills, Tell your friends and can’t feel my face
5. Chris Brown- F.A.M.E.
F.A.M.E is the fourth album by Chris Brown, released March 22nd, 2011. The album is an acronym standing for “Forgiving All My Enemies” and “Fans Are My Everything” . The album is a testament to how versatile Chris can be, as the album includes a variety of genres such as R&B, pop, hip-hop and electropop. The album catapulted Brown to the status he once had after his public image had deteriorated after 2009. F.A.M.E was a massive success spawning five top 10 singles, which led to Brown winning Best R&B album at the 2012 Grammy awards.
Highlights include: Deuces, she ain’t you, all back, no bullshit
4. Miguel – Kaleidoscope Dream
Kaleidoscope Dream is the second album by Miguel, released September 25th, 2012. Miguel titled the album ‘Kaleidoscope Dream’ as a metaphor for life and wanted the songs to reflect his lifestyle and personality. The album blends R&B, funk, rock and soul styles alongside electronic and psychedelic music. Kaleidoscope dream was one of many R&B albums that was responsible for the new sound of the genre and let to R&B being reborn. Miguel’s unique vocal ability and his descriptive lyrics help culminate an album filled with passion and love. Kaleidoscope Dream can simply be described as the ultimate sex playlist for lovers. The albums success was major as Miguel had gone onto win best R&B song at the 2013 Grammy awards.
Highlights include: Adorn, Gravity, candles in the sun, do you like
3. Justin Timberlake – 20/20 Experience
The 20/20 experience is the third studio album by Justin Timberlake, which was released on March 15th, 2013. The album was long awaited, with Justin’s last album being released
in 2006, the long wait was a result of Justin focusing on his acting career. The 20/20 experience debuted at number 1 on the billboard charts and sold 968,000 copies, making the album Justin’s most successful since his debut. The album incorporates neo soul styles mixed in with elements of soul and traditional R&B, thanks to long term collaborator Timbaland. The 20/20 experience is Justin’s interpretation of romance as the album is filled with many love songs and is focused on Justin’s love for his significant other and how her beauty is so unfathomable to Justin that he decided to give us an album dedicated to her, which is sang in a clear perspective, hence the title. The album was so successful Justin had won two Grammy’s at the 2014 awards.
Highlights include: Don’t hold the wall, strawberry bubble-gum, Mirrors, Dress on
2. Frank Ocean – Channel Orange
Channel ORANGE is the debut album by R&B singer and songwriter Frank Ocean. The album followed Frank’s commercially successful mixtape Nostalgia, Ultra. Frank this time wanted to focus more on his sound and songwriter with this album as opposed to relying on samples like on his past mixtape. The albums name is inspired by the summer Frank had first fell in love, which he associates with the colour orange. Channel ORANGE draws influence from Frank’s love for electro-funk, soul, jazz and psychedelic rock. Frank’s use of lyrics to illustrate themes such as unrequited love, sex and existential longing is what makes Channel ORANGE so unique. Songs like Pyramids bring us into frank’s world of surreal imagery and dark character. The album had earned Frank multiple nominations during the 2013 Grammy awards, winning best urban contemporary album. In addition, in 2019 the album was ranked 12th on the Guardians 100 best albums of the 21st century.
Highlights include: Thinking about you, Pilot Jones, Pyramids, lost, pink matter
- SZA – CTRL
Ctrl was released June 9th, 2017 by TDE singer SZA. However, the album was originally supposed to be released in 2015, but SZA’s anxiety had got In the way of her schedule.
The album draws inspiration from SZA’s personal experience with romance and becoming the woman she is today. In addition, the struggle many women face today with competition, sexual politics, body dysmorphia and anxiety. Ctrl uses a combination of neo-soul, jazz, trap and indie sounds culminated into one, that makes one of the most personal R&B albums in recent memory. Ctrl definitely gave SZA the claim to R&B royalty that she rightly deserves. As of March, 2018 the album had been certified platinum and also led to her being nominated for four Grammy awards that year.
Highlights include: supermodel, love galore, garden, 20 somethings, the weekend
Honourable mentions:
Partynextdoor – Partynextdoor two
Brent faiyaz – Sonder Son
Chris Brown – X
Teyana taylor – KTSE
Daniel Caesar – Freudian
Bruno Mars – 24K
Solange – A Seat at the Table
Music Moose 
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