The best R&B albums of the 2000s

In the '90s, Usher was already becoming one of the hottest young crooners on the scene, thanks to his 1997 album, My Way. He elevated his artistry even more in 2001 when he released his third album, 8701. At the time, producers like The Neptunes  and Jermaine Dupri were in high demand, and Usher worked with them on songs like “U Got It Bad” and “U Don’t Have To Call.” He also worked with the dynamic duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis on the lead single  “U Remind Me.”

In 2000, Erykah Badu released her sophomore album, Mama’s Gun. Badu has the type of soulful vocal tone that’s endearing and piercing to any listener, so it’s no wonder she inspired artists that came after her. Some of the album's biggest hits include “Bag Lady” and “Didn’t Cha Know.”

After her two previous albums didn’t become commercially successful like their predecessors, Mariah Carey was ready for a resurgence and rejuvenation on her 2005 album, The Emancipation of Mimi. She recruited some of the best producers in the game, including The Neptunes, James Wright, Kanye West, and frequent collaborator Jermaine Dupri. Thanks to hit singles like “It’s Like That,” “Shake It Off” and  “We Belong Together,” The Emancipation of Mimi became the year’s best-selling album in the U.S. 

Joe may have been around since the early ‘90s, but his third album, My Name Is Joe, helped push his stardom even further. When people talk about cohesive and perfectly sequenced projects, this album could easily be a top contender. Joe can give fans love ballads like “I Wanna Know,” romantic jams like “Table for Two” and calling out his partner about infidelity on “Stutter” — perfect topics for any R&B listener. 

One of the cool things about Aaliyah’s discography is how each album always sounded different than the previous one. Her musical range was evident with songs like “Rock The Boat,” “We Need a Resolution,” and “More Than A Woman.” The album also came at a time when the R&B world was elevating in different sounds, which seemed to be the case for many in that era. Listening to her self-titled album is bittersweet for some fans because it was her final album before her tragic passing. 

One thing about The-Dream, he knows how to grab a listener’s attention with catchy hooks. It was evident on his 2007 debut album, Love/Hate. Whether he was letting everyone know how attracted he was to a partner on “Shawty is a 10” or confidently believing he could steal a woman from her partner on “I Luv Your Girl,” The-Dream is a prime example of an artist who makes songs that people can relate to and sing along to. 

D’Angelo is the type of artist who takes several years off in between albums. That mode tends to work in his favor when just five years after his debut album, he released his critically acclaimed sophomore project, Voodoo. However, the album’s third single, “Untitled (How Does It Feel),” and its eye-catching music video promoted it even further. D’Angelo’s blend of soul, R&B, and hip-hop helped catapult him as one of the neo-soul pioneers. 

Beyoncé was already successful as a member of Destiny’s Child, so people were curious how she would fare as a solo artist. Well, her solo debut album, Dangerously In Love, showed fans and critics that she was stepping into new territory with her artistry. She got people to the dance floor on singles like “Crazy in Love,” took some Caribbean inspiration on “Baby Boy,” and showcased her independence on “Me, Myself and I.” Little did the world know that it was just the start of her becoming one of music’s biggest superstars. 

By the time T-Pain released his third album, Three Ringz, he was already making headlines for how much autotune he incorporated into his music. But his style became so prevalent that other artists followed suit. Three Ringz was somewhat of a concept album that focused on a circus theme. The album had a star-studded lineup, including Ludacris, Ciara, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Akon, and many more. Some of the hit songs included  “Can’t Believe It,” “Chopped ‘n’ Skrewed,” and “Blowing Up.”

In 2001, Alicia Keys came onto the scene as a classically trained pianist with her debut album, Songs in A Minor. Throughout the album, Keys takes on topics of love and relationships. Her deep and raspy tone floats effortlessly across the piano, backing on tracks like “Fallin,” “A Woman’s Worth,” and “How Come You Don’t Call Me.” 

Teedra Moses has always been the type of artist who was signed to indie record labels, and some fans think that she should be a bigger artist than she is. However, she’s well-respected for her craft, and part of that is due to her classic debut album, Complex Simplicity. The album beams with sensuality, liberation, and confidence on tracks like “Be Your Girl,” “Rescue Me,” and “Backstroke.” Complex Simplicity is a body of work that stands the test of time.

Mary J. Blige has always been an expressive artist who makes music many listeners can relate to. Her fifth studio album, No More Drama, played into her artistry with dance tracks like “Family Affair,” letting go of anything causing her pain or heartache on the eponymous single and hoping for a better tomorrow on the Ja Rule-assisted single “Rainy Dayz.” Although Blige can bring an upbeat record, she shines on tracks that highlight a little drama. 

What do you get when you combine a singer with a poet? It’s the insane chemistry of the R&B duo Floetry. Their style was the main reason why they were such a standout, and their debut album, Floetic, became a fan favorite. Their singles like “Floetic,” “Say Yes,” and “Getting Late” showed that the U.K. R&B girls were ready to put their spin on the neo-soul genre. 

Just four years after his debut album, Robin Thicke returned with his sophomore album, The Evolution of Robin Thicke. While the singer and Pro J produced and wrote the majority of the album, he also teamed up with The Neptunes on the smash first single, “Wanna Love U Girl.” Other fan favorites included “Got 2 Be Down” and “Lost Without U.” This album helped position Thicke as another defining member of “blue-eyed soul.” 

In the late ‘90s and early 2000s, the world saw how strong the neo-soul genre was elevating, and Jill Scott played a major part. Her debut album, Who Is Jill Scott?: Words and Sounds Vol. 1, garnered major singles, including “A Long Walk,” “The Way,” and her debut single “Gettin’ In The Way.” Listening to Scott makes fans feel like they are hearing a soul singer inspired by some jazz greats.

Jamie Foxx is more widely known as an actor and comedian. However, real fans know he’s the epitome of a quadruple threat by being a musician and singer as well. In 2005, more fans got to know him as an artist when he released his sophomore album, Unpredictable. A few of the fan-favorite tracks include “DJ Play a Love Song," the Mary J. Blige-assisted song "Love Changes," and the eponymous single. 

Janet Jackson is known to most as the Queen of Pop, and part of this moniker is due to her incorporating different genres into her music. This style was evident on her seventh album, All For You. Whether fans want to dance on tracks like the eponymous single and “Come On Get Up” or want to get more romantic on “When We Oooo” or “Would You Mind,” Jackson’s smooth and airy tone makes for perfect upbeat records and smooth ballads. 

With Chris Brown’s self-titled album, he helped usher in a newer generation of R&B artists. He set the charts ablaze with his Scott Storch-produced debut single “Run It!” Throughout the album, Brown focuses on different aspects of teenage love with songs like “Yo (Excuse Me Miss)” and “Say Goodbye.” From the vocals to the choreography and the visuals, fans were sure that Brown could be the next big star. 

Amerie’s debut album All I Have had everyone singing about life and love thanks to her singles “Talkin’ To Me” and “Why Don’t We Fall In Love.” The album showcased how the chemistry between an artist and producer could be a match made in heaven. That was the case between Amerie and Rich Harrison, who produced the singer’s entire album. All I Have peaked in the top-ten on the Billboard 200. 

When Beyoncé released her sophomore album, B’Day, she decided to work with a number of different producers this time. Teaming up with producers like Darkchild, Swizz Beatz, Rich Harrison, The Neptunes, and The Underdogs, to name a few, helped Beyoncé elevate her musicianship even more. B’Day is still a fan-favorite album that garnered six singles, including “Deja Vu,” “Ring the Alarm,” “Irreplaceable,” and “Green Light.” 

Ashanti broke a number of records as the R&B princess of hip-hop label Murder Inc. On her self-titled debut album, Ashanti gave listeners different topics of love and heartbreak. Whether she’s being silly in love on “Foolish” or gleefully in love or “Happy” or a hopeless romantic on “Movies,” the album is perfect for music lovers who enjoy R&B love songs. 

Rihanna’s third album, Good Girl Gone Bad, pushed her image to another level. She had an edgier look and a more elevated sound that started with the album’s first single, “Umbrella.” She continued to give people dance tunes on tracks like “Shut Up and Drive” and “Don’t Stop the Music,” but also gave fans more mid-tempo jams like “Hate That I Love You” and “Rehab.” There’s no doubt that Rihanna’s Good Girl Gone Bad era helped her to continue pushing the limits with the albums that came after. 

Ryan Leslie’s self-titled debut album showcased that not only is he a great writer and producer for other artists, but he can also create his own flawless album from top to bottom. Throughout the album, Leslie highlights different themes of infatuation and being lovestruck, which is evident in songs like “Addiction,” “Valentine,” and “You’re Fly.” 

It’s usually very difficult for some artists to release a sophomore album that’s just as good or successful as their debut album. Soulful artist India Arie didn’t have that problem when she released Voyage to India. With topics that focused on growth in life, love, and healing journeys, Arie created an album to put listeners in a more peaceful mindset. 

The 2000s was when Kanye West would produce and write for R&B acts. When he started his record label GOOD Music, John Legend was his first signee. In 2004, Legend released his debut album, Get Lifted, helmed by the lead single “Used To Love U.” But his second single, the piano-driven “Ordinary People,” caught the attention of the masses. Thanks to the album’s success, Legend won Best New Artist and Best R&B Album at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards. 

When fans talk about their favorite Brandy, Full Moon is typically a top contender. While she had solid singles like the eponymous single and “What About Us,” Brandy always gets high praise due to her stellar vocal ability and layering, which was more enhanced than her previous albums. 

Just two years after releasing her debut album, Alicia Keys returned with a stellar sophomore project, The Diary of Alicia Keys. She reveals having a crush on a potential partner on “You Don’t Know My Name" and mentions how material things don’t amount to what love can bring on “If I Ain’t Got You.” The album earned Keys three Grammy Awards and is often considered a fan favorite in her discography. 

There’s no doubt about it that Confessions is Usher’s magnum opus. Whether it’s the party anthems like “Yeah!” and “Caught Up” or the storytelling of heartbreak on “Burn” and “Confessions Pt. 1,” the album became one of the best-selling albums in R&B history. Even after two decades since the album dropped, it set a high standard for other R&B albums to follow. 

In 2007, Keyshia Cole released her critically acclaimed sophomore album, Just Like You. While her debut album was widely successful, Cole continued to elevate her sound on Just Like You with help from producers like Missy Elliott, Scott Storch, Rodney Jerkins, Bryan-Michael Cox, and Diddy. In contrast to her previous album’s street R&B sound, this album showed more of a soft and sensual R&B vibe. Some of the album's hit songs include “Let It Go” and “Heaven Sent.” 

Fantasia became the winner of the third season of American Idol, and not too long after, she released her debut album, Free Yourself. The project was filled with some of R&B’s elite producers, such as The Underdogs, Missy Elliott, Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox, and Jazze Pha. Some of the standout tracks include “Truth Is,” “Free Yourself,” and “Ain’t Gon Beg You.” 

Neo-soul artist Musiq Soulchild wore his heart on his sleeve with his debut album, Aijuswanaseing. In the first single, “Just Friends,” he highlights his attraction for a potential partner but really just wants to spend some time with her as friends. His second single, “Love," highlights his faith and love for a higher, spiritual power. 

When Ne-Yo came onto the scene back in 2005, he had everyone chanting, “I’m so sick of love songs / So tired of tears / So done with wishing you were still here.” 

Whether the listener was going through a breakup, Ne-Yo’s hit track “So Sick” was quite endearing for R&B lovers. It was his breakthrough hit on his debut album, In My Own Words. Once that single succeeded, he followed up with “When You’re Mad” and “Sexy Love.” 

In 2001, Faith Evans released her third album, Faithfully, to rave reviews. Evans had people on the dance floor with singles like “You Gets No Love” and “Burnin’ Up.” However, she also gave fans some smooth ballads with “Alone in this World” and “I Love You.”
Faithfully remains one of her most sonically and best-sequenced albums to date.

Mary J. Blige is the type of artist who’s been taking over the airwaves since the ‘90s, and her reign continues to shine. In 2005, she released her seventh album, The Breakthrough. She teamed up with Bryan-Michael Cox and Johnta Austin on the first single, “Be Without You,” a track that became Billboard’s most successful R&B song in chart history. In pure Blige form, the album highlights topics of love, life, and overcoming any obstacles.