The 90s was a decade of iconic music, especially in R&B, with many male singers and artists leaving their mark on the genre.
From slow jams to upbeat dance tracks, the 90s was when R&B dominated the airwaves and captured the hearts of millions worldwide.
This article will take a trip down memory lane and highlight the 30 best 90s male R&B singers and artists who defined the decade with their soulful voices, unique style, and unforgettable hits.
1. Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men is an R&B vocal group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The group was formed in 1988 and consisted of Nathan Morris, Shawn Stockman, and Wanya Morris.
They are known for their smooth harmonies, heartfelt ballads, and soulful R&B hits.
Boyz II Men has sold over 60 million records worldwide, making them one of the most successful R&B groups ever.
Some of their biggest hits include “End of the Road,” “I’ll Make Love to You,” “On Bended Knee,” and “Motownphilly.”
They have won four Grammy Awards and have been inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
2. Ginuwine
Ginuwine began his music career in the early 1990s, performing as a member of the group Swing Mob, which also included future superstars like Timbaland and Missy Elliott.
He is known for his smooth, soulful voice and ability to blend contemporary R&B with traditional soul music.
Ginuwine rose to fame as a solo artist in the mid-1990s with his debut album Ginuwine…the Bachelor, which included the hit singles “Pony” and “Tell Me Do U Wanna.”
Since then, he has released several successful albums, including 100% Ginuwine, The Life, and A Man’s Thoughts.
Some of his most famous songs include “Differences,” “In Those Jeans,” and “So Anxious.”
3. Usher
Usher began his music career in the early 1990s and has become one of the most successful R&B artists ever.
Usher’s debut album, Usher, was released in 1994 and featured the hit single “Can U Get wit It.”
He gained widespread popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s with his albums My Way, 8701, and Confessions, which included hits such as “You Make Me Wanna,” “U Remind Me,” “Yeah!,” and “Burn.”
Usher is known for his smooth tenor voice, impressive dance skills, and ability to blend R&B with pop and hip-hop influences.
He has won numerous awards, including eight Grammy Awards and 18 Billboard Music Awards.
4. Brian McKnight
McKnight is best known for his smooth R&B and soulful ballads, which have earned him numerous Grammy nominations and hits throughout his career.
McKnight began his music career in the late 1980s, performing as a session musician and songwriter for various artists.
In 1992, he released his self-titled debut album, which included the hit singles “One Last Cry” and “Love Is.”
McKnight continued to release successful albums throughout the 1990s and 2000s, including Anytime, Back at One, and U Turn.
5. Keith Sweat
Sweat’s music career started with his debut album, Make It Last Forever, which was a huge success and achieved platinum status.
Some of his hit songs include “I Want Her,” “Twisted,” “Nobody,” and “Right and a Wrong Way.”
Sweat is known for his signature singing style, which often includes his trademark “whining” and moaning.
He has released numerous albums, including I’ll Give All My Love to You, Keep It Comin’, and Get Up on It.
6. Dru Hill
Dru Hill is an R&B group formed in 1992 in Baltimore, Maryland.
The group comprises four members: Sisqo, Nokio, Jazz, and Tao.
They are known for their soulful harmonies, romantic ballads, and energetic and upbeat tracks.
Dru Hill’s debut album, self-titled Dru Hill, was released in 1996 and spawned the hit singles “Tell Me,” “In My Bed,” and “Never Make a Promise.”
Their second album, Enter the Dru, released in 1998, included hits like “How Deep Is Your Love” and “These Are the Times.”
7. Jodeci
Jodeci is an R&B group formed in 1989 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The group consists of two pairs of brothers, Cedric “K-Ci” Hailey and Joel “JoJo” Hailey, and Donald “DeVante Swing” DeGrate and Dalvin DeGrate.
Jodeci’s music has significantly impacted the R&B genre and influenced many following artists.
Their style has been described as a mix of gospel, soul, and hip-hop, and their lyrics often explore themes of love, heartbreak, and relationships.
The group released its debut album, Forever My Lady, in 1991, a critical and commercial success.
It peaked at number eighteen on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified three times platinum by the RIAA.
Jodeci’s second album, Diary of a Mad Band, was released in 1993 and was also a commercial success, peaking at number six on the Billboard 200 chart.
8. Tony! Toni! Toné!
Tony! Toni! Toné! is an R&B group from Oakland, California.
The group was formed in 1988 and consisted of brothers Dwayne Wiggins (lead vocals and guitar) and Raphael Saadiq (lead vocals and bass), along with their cousin Timothy Christian Riley (drums and keyboards).
Tony! Toni! Toné! rose to fame in the early 1990s with hits such as “Feels Good,” “Anniversary,” and “Lay Your Head on My Pillow.”
Their music blended elements of R&B, soul, funk, and jazz, and they were known for their smooth vocal harmonies and infectious grooves.
The group disbanded in 1997, with each member pursuing solo projects.
However, they reunited for a brief tour in 2006 and have since made occasional appearances together.
9. Johnny Gill
Johnny Gill began his music career as a boy band New Edition member in the 1980s.
Gill has also released several successful solo albums, including his self-titled debut album and the critically acclaimed Johnny Gill in 1990, which featured hit singles such as “Rub You the Right Way” and “My, My, My.”
Gill’s smooth, soulful voice and ability to seamlessly blend R&B and pop influences have made him a famous and respected artist in the music industry.
He has won several awards throughout his career, including a Grammy Award in 1991 for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male, for “My, My, My.”
10. Bobby Brown
Bobby Brown is an American singer, songwriter, and dancer who rose to fame in the late 1980s and 1990s as a solo artist and member of the group New Edition.
Brown’s debut solo album, King of Stage, was released in 1986, and his second album, Don’t Be Cruel, launched him into the mainstream.
The album featured hits like “My Prerogative,” “Every Little Step,” and “Roni.”
Brown was married to singer Whitney Houston from 1992 to 2007, and the couple had a daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, who tragically died in 2015 at 22.
11. Gerald Levert
Gerald Levert began his music career as a member of the R&B group LeVert, which he formed with his brother Sean Levert and friend Marc Gordon.
After achieving success with LeVert, Gerald launched his solo career in 1991 with the release of his debut album, Private Line.
He released several successful albums, including Groove On and Gerald’s World.
He was known for his soulful voice, romantic ballads, and ability to blend R&B with hip-hop.
Tragically, Gerald Levert died in 2006, at 40, due to an accidental combination of prescription drugs and over-the-counter medication.
His death was a massive loss to the music industry, and he is remembered as one of the best ’90s male R&B singers of all time.
12. Bell Biv Devoe
Bell Biv DeVoe is an R&B group that was formed in 1989.
The group consists of Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Ronnie DeVoe, who were all members of the popular R&B group New Edition.
They decided to form a new group and released their debut album, Poison, in 1990.
The album was a huge success, reaching number five on the Billboard 200 chart and selling over four million copies in the United States alone.
It featured the hit singles “Poison,” “Do Me!” and “B.B.D. (I Thought It Was Me)?”.
The group’s sound was a mix of R&B, hip-hop, and new jack swing, and they were known for their catchy hooks and danceable beats.
13. Tevin Campbell
Campbell began singing in church at a young age and was discovered by jazz musician Bobbi Humphrey at a talent show when he was just 11.
He was signed to Warner Bros. Records at 12 and released his debut album, T.E.V.I.N., in 1991.
Campbell quickly became a famous R&B artist in the early 1990s with his smooth, soulful voice and hit songs such as “Tell Me What You Want Me To Do,” “Alone With You,” and “Can We Talk.”
He also contributed to the soundtracks of several films, including “Boyz n the Hood” and “A Goofy Movie.”
14. Montell Jordan
Montell Jordan began his music career in the 1990s and became known for his smooth, soulful voice.
Jordan’s debut album, This Is How We Do It, was released in 1995 and quickly became a commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard 200 chart and selling over three million copies in the United States.
The album featured the hit single “This Is How We Do It,” which remains one of the most popular R&B songs of the 1990s.
Jordan continued to release successful albums throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, including More… and Let’s Ride.
He collaborated with several artists, including Master P, Slick Rick, and LL Cool J.
15. 112
112 is an R&B group formed in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1993.
The group comprises four members: Quinnes “Q” Parker, Daron Jones, Marvin “Slim” Scandrick, and Michael Keith.
They are best known for their hits in the late 1990s and early 2000s, such as “Cupid,” “Only You,” and “Peaches and Cream.”
They have released six studio albums, with their most recent album, Q Mike Slim Daron, released in 2017.
112 has received numerous awards and nominations throughout their career, including a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 1997 for their collaboration with The Notorious B.I.G. on the song “I’ll Be Missing You.”
They have also been nominated for other awards, such as BET, MTV Video Music, and Soul Train Awards.
16. Jagged Edge
Jagged Edge is an R&B group of four members: Brandon Casey, Brian Casey, Kyle Norman, and Richard Wingo.
The group formed in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1995 and is known for its smooth harmonies and soulful ballads.
Jagged Edge has released several albums throughout its career, including A Jagged Era (1998), J.E. Heartbreak (2000), Jagged Little Thrill (2001), Hard (2003), and The Remedy (2011).
Some of their most popular songs include “Let’s Get Married,” “Where the Party At,” and “Promise.”
17. Blackstreet
Blackstreet is an R&B group formed in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in 1991.
The group was initially formed by Teddy Riley, a record producer and musician who had previously worked with the group Guy.
Blackstreet’s original lineup included Riley, Chauncey Hannibal, Levi Little, and Joseph Stonestreet, but the group’s most successful lineup included Riley, Hannibal, Dave Hollister, and Mark Middleton.
Blackstreet rose to fame in the mid-1990s with their hit songs “No Diggity,” “Don’t Leave Me,” and “Before I Let You Go.”
“No Diggity” became a massive hit, reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1996 and winning a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.
18. Joe
Joe’s music career began in the early 1990s when he signed with Polygram Records and released his debut album, Everything, in 1993.
The moderately successful album spawned the hit single “I’m in Luv.”
Joe’s second album, All That I Am, was released in 1997 and featured the hit singles “All the Things (Your Man Won’t Do)” and “Don’t Wanna Be a Player.”
The album was a huge commercial success, selling over two million copies and earning Joe several award nominations.
Joe has been praised for his smooth, soulful voice and ability to blend traditional R&B with contemporary sounds.
He has won several awards, including three Grammy nominations and two Soul Train Music Awards.
19. Jon B.
Jon B. (born Jonathan Buck) is best known for his smooth vocals and ability to blend traditional R&B with hip-hop, jazz, and soul elements.
He began his career as a songwriter in the late 1990s, writing hits for artists such as Michael Jackson, Color Me Badd, and Toni Braxton.
Jon B. is considered one of the pioneers of the “new jack swing” movement, which blended R&B, hip-hop, and pop music in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
In 1995, he released his debut album, Bonafide, which included the hit single “Someone to Love” featuring Babyface.
His follow-up album, Cool Relax, was released in 1997 and included the hit singles “They Don’t Know” and “Are U Still Down” featuring the late Tupac Shakur.
20. Maxwell
Maxwell is a Grammy award-winning R&B singer known for his soulful voice and smooth, romantic ballads.
Maxwell began his music career in the mid-1990s with his debut album Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite in 1996.
The album featured hit singles such as “Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder)” and “Sumthin’ Sumthin.'”
He continued to release successful albums, including “Embrya” in 1998 and “Now” in 2001.
Maxwell’s music is known for its classic soul and contemporary R&B blend and romantic and sensual themes.
He has been praised for his vocal range and ability to evoke emotion through his singing.
21. D’Angelo
D’Angelo rose to fame in the mid-1990s with his debut album, Brown Sugar, which blended elements of R&B, soul, funk, and jazz.
The album was a critical and commercial success, and D’Angelo became known for his smooth vocals and sensual lyrics.
D’Angelo released his second album, Voodoo, which featured collaborations with musicians such as Questlove and Raphael Saadiq.
The album was also a critical and commercial success and is often cited as a landmark in neo-soul music.
After Voodoo, D’Angelo took a hiatus from music and struggled with addiction and legal troubles.
22. Mario Winans
Winans began his career as a songwriter and producer, working with artists such as 112, Pebbles, and Lil’ Kim.
He gained wider recognition as a solo artist with his debut album, Story of My Heart, released in 1997.
The album featured the hit singles “Don’t Know” and “Stay With Me.”
Winans is also known for his collaborations with Diddy (formerly known as Puff Daddy), his cousin.
He co-wrote and produced several songs for Diddy’s albums, including “I Need a Girl (Part One)” and “I Don’t Wanna Know,” both of which were chart-topping hits.
23. Case
Case began his music career in the mid-1990s and signed his first recording contract with Def Jam Records in 1995.
His debut album, Case, was released in 1996 and included the hit single “Touch Me, Tease Me,” featuring Mary J. Blige and Foxy Brown.
The song reached #14 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and became Case’s first top 20 hits.
Case went on to release several more albums, including Personal Conversation (1999), Open Letter (2001), The Rose Experience (2009), and Heaven’s Door (2015).
24. Eric Benet
Eric Benét Jordan, professionally known as Eric Benét, is an R&B and neo-soul singer-songwriter, as well as an actor.
Benét began his music career in the late 1980s as a member of the group “Gerard” before embarking on a solo career.
Benét’s debut album, True to Myself, was released in 1996 and received critical acclaim.
His second album, A Day in the Life, was released in 1999 and featured the hit single “Spend My Life with You,” a duet with Tamia, which earned him a Grammy Award nomination.
25. Donell Jones
Jones began his music career as a songwriter for other artists before releasing his debut album, My Heart, in 1996.
The album included the hit singles “In The Hood” and “Knocks Me Off My Feet,” It received critical acclaim for its smooth, soulful sound.
Jones continued to release successful albums throughout the late 1990s, including Where I Wanna Be and Life Goes On.
His music is characterized by his smooth vocals, romantic lyrics, and a blend of traditional R&B with elements of hip-hop and soul.
Jones has collaborated with notable artists such as Left Eye from TLC, Usher, and Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes.
26. Dave Hollister
Dave Hollister started his music career in the early 1990s as a member of the R&B group Blackstreet, where he sang lead on the hit single “Before I Let You Go.”
After leaving Blackstreet in 1995, Hollister pursued a solo career and released his debut album, Ghetto Hymns, in 1999.
The album was a critical and commercial success, featuring the hit singles “My Favorite Girl” and “One Woman Man.”
Hollister continued to release solo albums throughout the 2000s, including Chicago 85… The Movie and The Book of David.
In addition to his solo career, Hollister has also collaborated with other artists such as Tupac and Jermaine Dupri.
27. Mint Condition
Mint Condition is an R&B band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the late 1980s.
The band consists of Stokley Williams (lead vocals, drums), Homer O’Dell (guitar), Larry Waddell (keyboards), Jeffrey Allen (saxophone), Ricky Kinchen (bass guitar), and Chris Dave (drums).
Mint Condition rose to fame in the early 1990s with their hit songs “Breakin’ My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes)” and “What Kind of Man Would I Be.”
Their music is characterized by a blend of R&B, funk, jazz, and soul, and their live performances are known for their high-energy and tight musicianship.
Over the years, Mint Condition has released several albums and received numerous awards and accolades, including a Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Single, Group, Band, or Duo for “Breakin’ My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes)” in 1992.
28. Color Me Badd
Color Me Badd is an R&B group formed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in the late 1980s.
Color Me Badd rose to fame in the early 1990s with their hit songs “I Wanna Sex You Up,” “All 4 Love,” and “I Adore Mi Amor.”
Their music is characterized by a blend of R&B, hip-hop, and pop, and their style was often described as “new jack swing.”
Over the years, Color Me Badd has released several albums and received numerous awards and accolades, including a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group for “I Wanna Sex You Up” in 1991.
29. Al B. Sure!
Al B. Sure! began his music career in the late 1980s and is best known for his hit single “Nite and Day,” which reached number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
In addition to “Nite and Day,” Al B. Sure! had several other hits in the early 1990s, including “Off on Your Own (Girl),” “Rescue Me,” and “Misunderstanding.”
His albums In Effect Mode and Private Times…and the Whole 9! were certified platinum and helped establish him as a significant force in the R&B genre.
Al B. Sure! was known for collaborating with other R&B artists, including Quincy Jones, Diana Ross, and Tevin Campbell.
30. TQ
TQ began his music career in the early 1990s and is best known for his hit single “Westside,” released in 1998 and peaked at number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The song was a tribute to the West Coast hip-hop scene and featured a sample of the classic 1980s hit “I Want to Be Your Man” by Roger Troutman.
TQ released several successful albums in the late 1990s and early 2000s, including They Never Saw Me Coming, The Second Coming, and Listen.
He is known for his smooth, soulful vocals and thoughtful lyrics, which often deal with themes of love, heartbreak, and social issues.
Best 90s Male R&B Singers & Artists – Final Thoughts
In the 90s, male R&B singers and artists dominated the music industry with their smooth vocals and catchy melodies.
The music of these artists reflected the cultural and social climate of the time, with themes ranging from love and relationships to social justice and personal empowerment.
Their music provided a soundtrack for a generation and helped shape the sound of R&B for years.
The 30 best 90s male R&B singers & artists represent a golden era in music that will never be forgotten.
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