Black Male R&B Singers
 

Now that Pharrell has brainwashed us with "Happy" and Trey Songz album continues to climb the charts, can we safely say black male R&B singers are making a comeback?

Did they ever go away???

Still nowhere like (and probably never will be) like they were in the 60s and 70s.

They never went away.............but the popularity of "singing" as opposed to rapping is making an impact as the retro influences are hitting hard in pop music at the moment and more and more singers are in the spotlight as opposed to rappers/vocalists........Could just be a phase or a trend

You are so right.

Yes. Love John Legend!

I didn't know they were on the downfall, Frank ocean anyone?

I like Aloe Blacc

This is what I'm talking about:

The KING!
Personally, I love his songs with "Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes" the most.

Can't link any videos yet, but look up Vintage Trouble - "Nobody Told Me". Sounds like the 60's to me.

Stevie Wonder passes the mantle to John Legend. I love John Legend. But there will never be another Stevie Wonder.

This is talent, folks. The musicians, and the guy relaxing on the couch still better than 99.99999% of singers out there.

David Ruffin
An underappreciated giant of R & B.

No discussion on male r&b singers/producers should be without D'Angelo, one of GOAT imo.

Seriously, his production and compositions have made me rethink the way I mix music, so lush and detailed, plus his voice is just so unique and silky smooth that it just perfectly slides into your head and stays there.

The Weeknd's... Earned It. Damn sexy song and voice... and the production value is outstanding!

It must be a generational thing but to me the current crop of so-called R&B singers sound like their balls haven't dropped yet. Now here's a real back in the day R&B singer:

Not generational... I'm 50... but can appreciate young and older artists. Ron Isley is one of my favourites... and has been around forever... and he has a high voice as well. Good is good... no matter the generation.

You forget too quickly my friend.

Many of the great singers from the 60s and 70s sung with a great falsetto. The difference with today's singers is the old school guys used their voice to really convey a feeling while todays crop (to me) are not conveying a feeling and more just imitating a style. I feel nothing when I listen to these guys but someone like Russell Thompkins, Jr. or Ronald Isley or Al Green could change the mood in a room with their voice.

I have to agree with you.

I concur as well.

Damn straight, I get a feeling that I've only ever experienced while
listening to Al Green.

^ same thing also happens to me whenever Darando's "Didn't I" comes on the shuffle.

r&b singers
 

there will always be good singers around,but I didn't say great,anyone ever hear of a man named[Jackie Wilson]or maybe[david ruffin]there was another guy named[clyde mcphatter]who could sing a little too,to my ears only[john legend]has the vocals to stay around for awhile,we'll see.

One of the coolest ever is the great[Gene Chandler]out of the windy city[Chicago]most know him from his classic[duke of earl-1962]which he actually recorded with his group[the dukays]along with such little know gems as[the girl's a devil-nightowl-festival of love]the duke of soul[as he is also known kept em comin in the sixties...[nothing can stop me-it's gonna be good times-fooled you this time-river of tears-rainbow 65-just be true-a man's temptation]he didn't stop in the seventies or eighties[does she have a friend for me-groovy situation-get down]you had to see this dude live[triple breasted silk suits]he's also known as[clean gene chandler]a legend who's still doing it today.

how many know that before Marvin Gaye sang in the[Moonglows]he had another group called[The Marquees]with a young lady named[Barbara Latisaw]who later had a daughter who did well for her self in music too!!