R&B will always hold a special place in our hearts. If not for R&B, that first crush, love, kiss, or more might be that much less special. The fact is, today's R&B is a bit different than our parent's R&B. Nowadays, Hip-Hop culture permeates R&B records, and the music is generally more raw, rugged, and edgy-- however, it is still important to all of our lives and ears.
Many of the artists and projects on the list fit the crossover space that's Hip-Hop stylistically, even if the records are presented in ballad or slow jam form. Despite critics debating if there is still any "true" R&B being produced, given the synthesis of Hip-Hop & R&B especially (but also the fusion of R&B with Pop, Dance, Electronic, and Soul music), today's R&B is still serving a vital purpose in the global music ecosystem. When we are gathered around the Holiday table for Christmas Dinner or whatever you find yourself celebrating, it's the R&B that more often gets played for the entire family, and when we are in are most intimate moments it's easy to wish we could sing like Trigga, Breezy, flow like D'Angelo, or swag it out like Prince. Even the best rappers wish they could sing like their favorite R&B heroes at one time or another.
Congrats to the Top R&B albums of 2014. A few more babies were born to these albums, a few more parties that much more poppin', and our year that much better for the following projects. Also, much consideration to Kehlani's Cloud 19, which failed to make the Top 10, but deserve recognition nonetheless.
Honorable Mention: Prince - Art Official Age
Prince is one of the most influential artists of the last 50 years. Drawing from a wide spectrum of styles, ranges, and eras, Art Official Age, which is the artist's 33rd studio album, reflects a virtuoso creating from the highest sources of energy.
Listening to this album requires a bit more careful ear, as the finer points are in Prince's attention to detail and technical excellence, as well as spiritual vibrance. Over a mix of eclectic sounds, Prince free flows, raps, sings, and gathers the world's premier voices and musicians for this album.
It is important to listen to Prince because he is the artist many of our other R&B Kings and Queens have grown up listening to. Thusly, Art Official Age is a preview of what other R&B superstars like Chris Brown may face in the foreseeable future. "Breakdown" tells such a story of rising and falling from grace that even other artists on this list may relate to and find comfort.
If you like Justin Timberlake's The 20/20 Experience, give Prince's new album a listen, as The Artist reigns as the Godfather of R&B well into his 50s. Do yourself a favor and listen to the legend that is Prince and understand that the source of many of the sounds that we know as contemporary R&B is indeed the cultural icon, Prince.
Teyana Taylor - VII
Teyana Taylor got introduced to most of us as NYC's Princess during her Super Sweet Sixteen. However, with VII, she has now entered that rarified air as the Queen of the R&B industry in 2014. Featuring appearances from Pusha T, Yo Gotti, Chris Brown, and Fabolous, she reps for the ladies while still keeping the album guy-friendly.
"Maybe" and "Business" were two of the big singles you may remember, as well as "Do Not Disturb" (featuring Chris Brown). These made big waves, but there is much more to the album that this young lady with a powerful voice controls. Teyana's debut album has placed her in the ranks of R&B female titans, and the true test of this album's success is in her ability to move upon the gains of this all-star project in 2015. Teyana is now a superstar that has arrived and is already an industry staple and role model to young girls everywhere. Surely, it will be awesome to continue to watch her maturity and growth as an artist and leading lady of R&B.
Chris Brown - X
Chris Brown is R&B's superstar and maybe the biggest name in the business. Over the last 10 years, we've watched Chris transition from the prodigal kid with energy on "Run it" to making baby-making anthem after anthem, including a banger with R.Kelly ("Drown In It") and homage to the King of R&B on the collaboration with Trey Songz, "Songs on 12 Play."
Breezy dropped a monster this year with X and is in a golden era in which he has command over all he wishes artistically. For a while, he's been one of the key names in the music business, but in 2014 he rose above constant adversity, speculation, and drama to deliver a stellar performance and one of the year's biggest R&B albums.
"Loyal" was quoted from the clubs to churches. "New Flame" assembled two of the biggest names of our time, Usher and Rick Ross, and is still going strong. "Love More" (featuring Nicki Minaj) prepared the world for X, which somehow still managed to exceed expectations. The album also features Akon, Jhene Aiko, Aaliyah, Lil Wayne, Tyga, Kendrick Lamar, and Brandy thus has plenty of star power and heavyweight endorsements.
While the music industry and the stresses of superstardom may have taken much of Brown's energy, it's quite evident that he is ready to give a lot more back to his fans and is ever-capable of producing greatness in music, art, and culture. Applauds to Breezy on continuing to deliver at the highest levels in 2014 and to the moon and beyond in 2015.
Tink - Winter's Diary 2
Although Tink is such a young woman, her follow-up to 2012's Winter's Diary surely represents a command of her own personal style and flavor, plus a sense of elderly wisdom. Chicago's youngest singer/rapper in charge has evolved, as has the city's Hip-Hop scene in the past few years, and her mental frame professed on this mixtape indicate a certain ascension and comprehension of the tools needed to thrive in the competitive music industry.
The mixtape is a bit more raw and unpolished in terms of industry standards, but that is what also probably makes Tink standout so much. For instance, Tink's version of Alicia Keys' "Your Secrets" is a cross between Chicago Drill and Alicia's soothing melodic flow. A gritty, "is what it is," statement from a young Queen of the people that understands the lingo of the streets and finer points of life, Winter's Diary is worth a listen for skeptics, and evidences a foundation that Tink may continue to improve upon in 2015 and later years.
FKA twigs - LP1
After rising to prominence with two 2013 EPs, Londoner FKA twigs broke out in a big way with her left-field LP1. With the title being the only simplistic aspect of the project, twigs and her team of highly-skilled, restlessly creative producers (including Clams Casino, Devonte Hynes, Sampha and Yeezus contributor Arca) crafted a truly unique piece of work.
Lead single “Two Weeks” is probably the most easily digested dish in this ten-course meal, with its sky-scraping chorus and army of hooks able to hypnotize even the most mainstream-minded listener. Elsewhere, shadowy minimalism, idiosyncratic production and, above all, twigs’ singular vocal presence launch assaults against the traditional constraints of R&B, sounding more futuristic than anything else released this year.
Some call twigs “the new Aaliyah,” some are intimidated by her looks and “weirdness,” some praise her every breath, but one thing’s for sure: LP1 is one of the most startling, erotic, and naked albums of the millennium.
PARTYNEXTDOOR- PARTYNEXTDOOR 2
When Drake and The Weeknd parted ways (to a certain extent), PARTYNEXTDOOR's arrival felt like something of a placeholder. While PARTY's debut project began to introduce the singer/producer as less a Drake understudy than a real songwriting force, PND2 affirms him as an artist who's perfected his craft.
OVO had a huge year, but as far as full length statements go, PARTY's album is the defining statement from the camp. Drizzy's feature, while appreciated, feels almost unnecessary, a true sign that PND has found his own as a solo artist.
While PND was undeniably a summer album, PND2 catalogs the cold and reflective winter months in Toronto. The singer creates an insular listening experience, bolstered by PARTY's own production, and best listened in full.
JMSN- JMSN (Blue Album)
Although JMSN is three albums deep, he is far from being a household name. Just yet. With a musicality that rivals and surpasses the average r'n'b singer these days, JMSN is involved in just about every process of his music, from production to songwriting, making it all truly his own (and by extension truly unique). He has yet to put out a subpar album, his latest being a self-titled album or alternately, the Blue Album. It's another lush, layered, and love-wrenched notch in JMSN's belt.
Trey Songz- Trigga
Trey Songz's Trigga dropped this summer, immediately receiving rave reviews. Dudes, girls, bloggers, and everyone else who gave the album a run were grateful when they heard the evolution of Trey's style. Fans of R&B have noticed a huge transition from Trey's earlier work, as this album came from the vantage point of a seasoned veteran in the game of love, life, business, relationships & sex.
While "Nana", "Foreign", and "Touchin, Lovin" (featuring Nicki Minaj) may have been the bigger releases on the project, records from "Cake" to "Y.A.S." and "Love Around the World" give real perspective on the man and artist that is Trigga Trey and the challenges and opportunities that come with being the R&B superstar of our time. "Change Your Mind" even feels like it could be a sleeper that emerges into popular consciousness in 2015 and beyond. Much respect to Trey on an impressive 2014 in which he stayed active on remixes including "Made Me" and made one of the definitive R&B projects of 2014.
August Alsina- Testimony
August Alsina's studio debut was one of the year's most honest, intriguing, and captivating projects. Moreso than a lot of other superstar crooners' releases this year, August's was a refreshing project. He presented a journey of hunger, tragedy, and triumph above the perils of struggling day-to-day as a young man out of New Orleans grinding to make a better life.
August's project seems like the feel-good R&B project of 2014. His relentless hunger and drive resonate greatly on records like "Make it Home" (featuring Jeezy) and "Testify". It's not enough to call this album R&B, as it has elements of Pop, Soul, Gospel, and Hip-Hop that show Alsina's versatility and artistic prowess with range.
Inspired by a courageous struggle against the odds, records like "Right There" launch this album and give it a classic feel that anyone hustling to make it in 2014 can understand and relate to. "I Luv This Shit" was the big single that many got to know August for, but it's far from the only standout on the debut album. Additional features from Fabolous, Yo Gotti, Trinidad James, B.o.B., Rick Ross, and Pusha T certainly give the album a boost, however August is a credentialed G. Testimony tells an authentic and motivating message, and is probably the year's best story-telling concept album and one of the best in years.
Tinashe- Aquarius
The world got to know Tinashe in 2014 with her charting singles "2 On" (featuring Schoolboy Q) and "Pretend" (featuring A$AP Rocky). Her studio album Aquarius has the feel of a big industry release and has everything you expect from a major label debut. Tinashe's charisma, mastery of the business, and undeniable beauty and charm complement the modern sounds of a contemporary, LA-based R&B songstress's work of art.
"Far Side Of The Moon" and "All Hands On Deck" kick the album into the next gear that "Feels like Vegas" really cements as one of the premier projects of the year. Aquarius manages to be youthful, fun, energetic, and still grown and sexy at points. Tinashe may be young, but she is ready to ascend into the next dimension of R&B singers leading in 2015. Her debut album certainly indicates a promising year and much potential she may continue to develop and explore.
D'Angelo- Black Messiah
Talk about feeding the streets... D'Angelo returned from a decade-long hiatus to release Black Messiah in late 2014 and proved he is one of the most prolific artists of our time. The musicology of the album, showcasing a timeless ability to be hip, innovative, and uplifting, show the veteran from Baltimore is truly in a league of his own.
Black Messiah is the type of album you can listen with your mom, while cleaning your room (or even your closet), or cruising through the streets of your hometown. Aside from Prince, it's hard to find another singer this artistically immersed, as the mastery of production and crafting of the sound require immense effort and world-class comprehension of instruments, sound, and musical brilliance.
D'Angelo's maturity is evident and the music on this album comes from a grown-man's perspective on spirituality, love, the cultural progression of Blacks in America and mankind alike, as well as enjoying life amidst traveling at the speed of light.