The 10 best R&B jams of 2018

London’s newest R&B sensation, Ella Mai, saw major success with her hit single “Boo’d Up” nearly a year after it was originally released. She initially had the song on her 2017 EP, “Ready,” but the song started gaining more radio airplay once Mai released the official video last April. It also helped that artists like Plies and T-Pain were releasing their own remixes to the hot track, increasing its popularity. From the song’s success, fans waited patiently for the DJ Mustard protégé to drop her debut album. After touring with the likes of Kehlani and Bruno Mars, she was slowly becoming quite the artist to watch. She released her self-titled debut in October and is already showing signs of an R&B favorite thanks to collaborations with John Legend, H.E.R. and Chris Brown. As she continues to push her latest single “Trip,” her breakout single “Boo’d Up” has become the longest-running No. 1 record on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart by a female artist of this decade so far.

Jorja Smith, "Lost & Found"

After releasing a few singles over the last two years, a major cosign from Drake on his 2017 “More Life” album and opening for Bruno Mars, Jorja Smith has slowly but surely climbed up the ranks as one of the industry’s brightest stars. In June, she released her debut album “Lost & Found” that fused pop tracks mixed with soulful love jams. With singles such as “Blue Lights” and “February 3^rd,” Smith’s debut landed at No.1 on the U.K. R&B Albums and U.K. Independent Albums charts. Although Smith isn’t signed to a major label, she’s proving to other artists that they can still succeed independently. Faith, talent and a solid fan base are all an artist needs.

Kali Uchis, "Isolation"

Soulful singer Kali Uchis is simply in a league of her own. She first came on to the music scene in 2012 but caught more attention this year when she released her debut album “Isolation.” Contrary to the album’s title, her songs such as “Tyrant” and “After the Storm” can make listeners feel welcomed into her world. One can’t place Uchis as part of one specific genre, since she fuses everything from neo-soul, to reggaeton, to hip-hop, to funk. The album features collaborations with Jorja Smith, Tyler the Creator, Gorillaz and more. Her vocals are soft and dreamy, but her songwriting and creative direction in her music videos show an even stronger side.

The Internet, "Hive Mind"

The Internet is the definition of a modern-day soulful band. Along with handling all vocals and instrumentation, the group writes and produces all of its music. After landing a Grammy nomination for its 2015 album “Ego Death,” it decided to take time to release solo projects before gearing up for another group project. After gifting fans with its individual projects, The Internet was back on the scene with its fourth studio album “Hive Mind.” The key to any of its projects is how they can put listeners in any mood. Its single “Roll (Burbank Funk)” is a party anthem that could easily be played in clubs and skating rinks. While “Come Over” is a smoother vibe for house parties and kickbacks. For fans who are avid listeners of The Internet, this album is a sign of how much the band continues to grow its sound without deviating from its authenticity.

Masego, "Lady Lady"

Soulful singer Masego may not be a household name just yet, but he’s making his mark in the industry with his debut album “Lady Lady.” He fuses elements of jazz, hip-hop, soul and electronic — a genre he’s coined as “Traphouse Jazz.” He’s known for playing his saxophone over trap beats and can serenade the blues over a funky production. The album title showcases his love and adoration for women, while he further proves his point in his songs. On the album’s first single “Tadow,” Masego teams up with producer FKJ to sing about a woman’s aura, while his latest single “Old Age” focuses on his admiration for older women. “Lady Lady” is a project that gives an R&B quiet storm vibe while keeping it fresh among today’s artists.

Leon Bridges, "Good Thing"

Leon Bridges first came on to the scene in 2015 with his debut album “Coming Home” and easily became compared to the likes of Otis Redding and Sam Cooke. To be such a young artist, he’s a smooth vocalist who could channel the likes of ‘60s greats. On his second album, “Good Thing,” he decided to take his direction up a notch. He kept a retro style, but made it a bit more contemporary to broaden his sound. His newer style was evident on singles like “Bet Ain’t Worth the Hand” and “Bad Bad News” that kept his classic music production with slow jams and upbeat tones. “Good Thing” is a prime example for fearless artists who believe in reinventing themselves.

Arin Ray, "Platinum Fire"

When it comes to new artists, sometimes they need a cosign from another musician for fans to take notice. Not only was Arin Ray a former contestant on the "X Factor," but by the time he started gearing up to release his debut, he was opening for acts like SiR and H.E.R. Not to mention his songwriting credits for artists like Jason Derulo and Chris Brown. On his debut album “Platinum Fire,” he was able to acquire a number of stars as features such as Ty Dolla Sign, DRAM and YG. Although the album was equipped with star features, the collaborations don’t overshadow Ray’s willingness to prove that he’s coming for his place. The album is filled with thoughts on love, heartbreak and dealing with enemies, which is easily heard on his breakout single “We Ain’t Homies.” 

Janelle Monae, "Dirty Computer"

Janelle Monae is an artist of many names such as the ArchAndroid or the Electric Lady. But one thing is for certain: She’s a master at making everyone feel included and seen. Coming off a five-year hiatus since her last album, she took this year by storm with her third project “Dirty Computer.” The themes across the album focus on paying respect to fellow women and giving a voice for people to be comfortable about their sexuality. The album was a special project for Monae, as she mentioned how her mentor Prince worked on the album with her before his death in 2016. If fans listen to the song “Make Me Feel,” there are different remnants of inspiration from the Purple One. Other singles include “Django Jane,” “Pynk” and “I Like That,” all of which focus on the art of becoming and staying true to self. The album was also accompanied by a short film that showcased Monae as an android character trying to find her true identity.

Blood Orange, "Negro Swan"

Singer-songwriter Blood Orange, also known as Dev Hynes, knows how to rock to the beat of his own drum. Just two years after releasing his previous project “Freetown Sound,” Hynes is back on the scene with his fourth project, “Negro Swan.” From the album’s title and cover art, Hynes often focuses on being an outsider and looking to explore his identity, bullying and mental health issues. He fuses elements of R&B, funk, psychedelic pop and alternative soul to bring singles such as “Charcoal Baby” and “Jewelry” to the forefront. “Negro Swan” features collaborations with artists including Diddy, A$AP Rocky and The Internet’s Steve Lacy.

Chloe x Halle, "The Kids Are Alright"

Chloe x Halle is the girl group for the young generation. Their YouTube covers caught the eyes of Beyonce, landing the sisters a recording contract with Queen Bey’s label, and they haven’t shown any signs of slowing down. Their debut studio album “The Kids Are Alright” showcases their strong songwriting skills and acrobatic vocals that could easily be classified as Destiny’s Child-influenced. The 18-track album features collaborations with Goldlink and Joey Bada$$, as well as theme songs from their hit TV show “Grown-ish” and the 2018 film “A Wrinkle in Time.” With singles such as “Grown” and “Happy Without Me,” Chloe x Halle focus on life changes, vulnerability and self-worth while proving how the next generation is ready to take over.