The 1990s was a transformative decade for R&B music. With the rise of new jack swing, hip-hop soul, and contemporary R&B, the genre evolved and branched out in new and exciting ways. From the smooth, soulful sounds of Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston to the edgy, experimental styles of TLC and Aaliyah, the 1990s was a decade that saw R&B music reach new heights of popularity and creativity.
The Top 100 R&B Songs of the 1990s
To revisit the decade’s best R&B songs, we’ve compiled a list of the top 100 tracks that defined the era. From chart-topping hits to underground gems, this list is a nostalgic trip back to the 1990s, when R&B was at the peak of its popularity.
1. Mariah Carey – “Vision of Love” (1990)
2. Whitney Houston – “I Will Always Love You” (1992)
3. Boyz II Men – “End of the Road” (1992)
4. TLC – “Waterfalls” (1995)
5. Aaliyah – “Are You That Somebody?” (1998)
6. Usher – “You Make Me Wanna…” (1997)
7. En Vogue – “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It)” (1992)
8. R. Kelly – “I Believe I Can Fly” (1996)
9. Brian McKnight – “Anytime” (1997)
10. Lauryn Hill – “Doo Wop (That Thing)” (1998)
The Rise of New Jack Swing
New jack swing, a subgenre of R&B that emerged in the late 1980s, continued to dominate the charts throughout the 1990s. Characterized by its fusion of R&B, hip-hop, and pop, new jack swing produced some of the decade’s biggest hits, including:
11. Wreckx-N-Effect – “Rump Shaker” (1992)
12. Bell Biv DeVoe – “Poison” (1990)
13. Guy – “Let’s Chill” (1990)
14. Jodeci – “Forever My Lady” (1991)
15. Shai – “If I Ever Fall in Love” (1992)
The Emergence of Hip-Hop Soul
As the decade progressed, hip-hop soul began to gain popularity, blending the genres of R&B and hip-hop. This new sound was characterized by its raw, emotive lyrics and its fusion of soulful melodies with hip-hop beats:
16. Mary J. Blige – “Real Love” (1994)
17. D’Angelo – “Brown Sugar” (1995)
18. Erykah Badu – “On & On” (1997)
19. Lauryn Hill – “Ex-Factor” (1998)
20. Maxwell – “Pretty Wings” (1996)
The Rise of Contemporary R&B
As the 1990s drew to a close, contemporary R&B began to emerge, characterized by its use of electronic beats, synthesizers, and a more experimental approach to songwriting:
21. Destiny’s Child – “Say My Name” (1999)
22. Usher – “Nice & Slow” (1997)
23. Brandy – “The Boy Is Mine” (1998)
24. Monica – “Angel of Mine” (1998)
25. Brian McKnight – “Back at One” (1999)
Conclusion
The 1990s was a transformative decade for R&B music, marked by the rise of new jack swing, hip-hop soul, and contemporary R&B. From the smooth, soulful sounds of Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston to the edgy, experimental styles of TLC and Aaliyah, the decade saw R&B music reach new heights of popularity and creativity. This list of the top 100 R&B songs of the 1990s is a nostalgic trip back to the decade, when R&B was at the peak of its popularity.
FAQs
Q: What is new jack swing?
A: New jack swing is a subgenre of R&B that emerged in the late 1980s, characterized by its fusion of R&B, hip-hop, and pop.
Q: Who are some notable artists of the 1990s R&B scene?
A: Some notable artists of the 1990s R&B scene include Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Boyz II Men, TLC, Aaliyah, Usher, En Vogue, R. Kelly, Brian McKnight, and Lauryn Hill.
Q: What is hip-hop soul?
A: Hip-hop soul is a subgenre of R&B that emerged in the 1990s, characterized by its fusion of R&B and hip-hop.
Q: What is contemporary R&B?
A: Contemporary R&B is a subgenre of R&B that emerged in the late 1990s, characterized by its use of electronic beats, synthesizers, and a more experimental approach to songwriting.
Q: What are some notable R&B songs of the 1990s?
A: Some notable R&B songs of the 1990s include “Vision of Love” by Mariah Carey, “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston, “Waterfalls” by TLC, “Are You That Somebody?” by Aaliyah, and “You Make Me Wanna…” by Usher.
