R&B has always had its roots in Black expression. It is romantic, rebellious, and raw. And while there might only be a few household names dominating the charts and space, there’s a universe of underrated Black R&B male and female artists creating rich and emotional music that deserves your attention.
These artists may not be platinum yet, but their unique sounds and powerful songwriting are redefining and shaping the genre from the ground up. From silky crooners to soul-infused storytellers, these are some of the most underrated Black R&B male and female artists you should be listening to.
Underrated Black Male And Female Artists You Should Already Be Listening To
Alex Isley
Alex Isley was born into music; she’s the daughter of Ernie Isley (of the Isley Brothers), and she was classically trained into the dreamy, soulful, and jazz-infused R&B she performs. She’s mainly recognized for two things: her independent solo work and her ability to combine classic R&B elements with modern sounds.
Isley has built a strong foundation with independent releases, including EPs:
The Love/Art Memoirs (2012)
The Beauty of Everything, Pt 1 (2018)
The Beauty of Everything, Pt 2 (2019)
Wilton w/ Jack Dine (2019)
WHEN (2025)
And full-length albums like:
Dreams in Analog (2013)
LUXURY (2015)
Marigold w/Jack Dine (2022)
I Left My Heart in Ladera w/ Terrace Martin (2023) – peaking at number 2 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart
Recognising her talent as an outstanding female artist, Isley has also been nominated for two Grammy Awards for Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song with “Back to Love”. She has also collaborated with various artists, including Kendrick Lamar, PJ Morton, Terrace Martin, and Robert Glasper.
Mereba
Mereba has had an interest in music since she was four, and she started writing songs in elementary school, so it’s no surprise to see her poignant lyrics combined with soulful vocals to produce a unique blend of folk, hip-hop, and R&B.
A reason for her being underrated might be her niche audience, as her music often explores themes of self-discovery, personal relationships, and social justice. She also has a public persona that is introspective and less flashy, which might not translate to the same level of buzz as more extroverted artists.
However, her music continues to evolve, with collaborations with other artists like JID and 6LACK. She also has appearances on platforms like COLORS, showcasing just how undeniable her talent is.
Josh Levi
Josh Levi is a multifaceted artist with a strong foundation in both music and acting. His style is basically an experimental R&B-pop hybrid and slick vocals (check out his cover of Bruno Mars’ 24K MAGIC).
Levi’s career began in reality TV, as he reached the finals on The X Factor before expanding into acting and voice acting, notably with his role in Turning Red and its accompanying music. He worked with Jordan Fisher, Grayson Villanueva, Topher Ngo, and Finneas O’Connell on the song “Nobody Like U” which earned him a Billboard Hot 100 entry and a Grammy nomination.
His album and EPs list includes:
DISC ONE (2020)
DISC TWO (2022)
DISC TWO: SCRATCHED UP (2023)
HYDRAULIC (2025)
Joyce Wrice
Truth be told, Joyce Wrice has been gaining recognition for her amazing vocals and blend of 90s R&B with contemporary sounds. But she is yet to achieve that mainstream superstar status that she should be a part of.
In her debut album in 2021, “Overgrown”, she featured artists like Masego, Freddie Gibbs, and Lucky Daye; the album’s lead single, “On One” with Freddie Gibbs, pushed to a somewhat popular status, earning significant streaming numbers and radio plays.
Some might argue that Wrice isn’t underrated due to her undeniable talent, growing following, and impressive body of work, but her commercial success is yet to fully match her critical acclaim.
Ambré
Ambré has built a strong reputation as a songwriter and musician; she’s signed to Roc Nation, but she is still slightly away from the recognition she deserves.
She first gained recognition in 2015 after collaborating with Kehlani on a cover of Drake’s “Preach”. Two years later, she co-wrote two tracks (“Changes” and “U”) which featured on H.E.R.’s 2017 self-titled album. The album was subsequently nominated for multiple Grammy Awards, winning the Award for Best R&B Album.
These are names to look out for over the next few years. While the R&B mainstream tends to spotlight only a few big names, these black male and female artists are building powerful and emotionally rich catalogues that deserve more recognition.
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