1. Trey Songz(4)- Trigga Trey finally
topped my list. He was in the top 5 last time. He is incredibly consistent, and
he knows how to make hits. Slow jamz, club bangers, u name it. I really didn’t think
he had it in him, but Trigga is a borderline classic album. That’s 6 albums,
with 3 or 4 being great.
2. Janelle Monae(11)-Coming in at #2 is
Janelle aka Cyndi Mayweather. I
predicted on the 2012 list that she’d be in my top 5, and there you go. She’s
the most creative artist on the list by far. Electic Lady was right up there
with any R&B album released in 2013.
3. Beyoncé(6) –B is back and better than
ever. Her self titled album came out of nowhere and it was a borderline
classic. It wasn’t quite as good as B’day, but it was a major improvement over
4. Beyonce remains a force to be reckoned with. I don’t know if she can stay in
the top 5 but all the evidence would say she can.
4. Usher(1)-Ursher’s fallen back a lil bit
from the top spot…but not far. I’m awaiting his next album. Obviously though…he
doesn’t have anything to prove. He’s got a great discography, with Confessions
being the best so far.
5. Ne-Yo-He and Usher seemed to have been
jocking for that top spot on my past 2 lists. The incredible songwriter remains
in the top 5. R.E.D. was a good album, but far from his best albums. I think
Ne-Yo’s next album will be good. I’ve been a fan ever since I heard So Sick on
the radio.
6. Rihanna(2)-Rih Rih has a lot of albums…she
seems to make them every year and half or so. I’m still a huge fan but I couldn’t
really put her in the top 5 again. Her last 3 albums have been great. She didn’t
really show any signs of slowing down, although I have my doubts that she can
make another album better than the last 3.
7. Mariah Carey(same)-MC is back like she
never left. She ditdn’t go anywhere on the list though. Her latest album The
Elusive Chanteuse was great. She’s a veteran and it shows. Im not counting her
out, but I expect her rank to go down.
8. Alicia Keys(3)- Alicia fell a few spots
but she is till in the top ten. I still think, overall, she’s the premier
R&B artist of the 2000s. Her last album, Girl on Fire, was really good. I’m
gonna say Alicia will bounce up a few spots if she makes a new album…but I don’t
think she will be third again.
9. Toni Braxton(14)-The veteran returns.
She had a duet album with Babyface this year. It was a good album. I cant say
if she will be on the list next time but she makes the top 10 this time.
10. The-Dream(9)-Dream rounds out the top
10. He’s similar to Ne-yo….and he makes some really good music. Not so much
lately though. After the Love Trilogy things have been kind of average for him.
Dream still remains one of my favorites.
11. Amerie(2)-The good is Amerie made the
list again. The bad is she hasn’t released a new album since 2009…sheesh. Got
love for her though. That’s my crush right there. I still hold her 2009 album
as one of R&B’s best.
12. Melanie Fiona(8)- Melanie’s done some
guest spots since 2012, but she needs to drop an album. I’m not worried about
her though. She has a powerful singing voice, and the 1st 2 albums
were very good.
13. Frank Ocean(10)-Mr. Ocean has that voice
man….I know he’s working on a followup to the great channel Orange album. He’d
be higher up if he had done more…but he still made the list.
14. John Legend(13)- The G.O.O.D. music
singer has a generally good discography. He’s got 4 albums…I have yet to hear
all of Evolver, but Love in the Future is tight. I predict JL will stay in the
bottom 5 of the list.
15. Lyfe Jennings(new)- LJ is the only new
artist on this list. I really started liking his music more after 2010.
Preaching and Blues man…it works.