2026 in rhythm and blues

Last updated

This article summarizes the events, album releases, and album release dates in rhythm and blues for the year 2026.

Contents

Events

February

March

Released albums

January

DayArtist(s)AlbumRecord label(s)Entering chart position
9 Sault Chapter 1Forever Living Originals [5]
The Kid Laroi Before I Forget Loma Vista
Yung Bleu TherapyMoon Boy, Stem [5]
16Ady SuleimanChasing AWAL [6]
Elijah Blake The GeminiRKeyTek, MNRK [7]
NSG Sounds Of The DiasporaSelf-released [8]
The James Hunter Six Off The Fence Easy Eye Sound, Concord [9]
The Sha La DasYour PictureDiamond West [10]
21 Jada Kingdom Just A Girl In A Money Man's WorldKingdom Mab [11]
23 Ari Lennox Vacancy Interscope [12]
BBE Naive Melodies BBE [13]
DJ Harrison ElectroSoul Stones Throw [14]
Wizkid & Asake Real, Vol. 1Starboy, Giran, Empire [15]

Upcoming releases

January

DayArtist(s)AlbumRecord label(s)Ref.
30 Jordan Ward BackwardARTium, Interscope [16]

February

DayArtist(s)AlbumRecord label(s)Ref.
6 Ella Mai Do You Still Love Me?10 Summers, Interscope [17]
JayminSweet Nothings Warner [18]
Joji Piss in the Wind Palace Creek, Virgin [19]
Kareen Lomax IjanMusic is fun [18]
13ArielAmatoria Mello Music Group [20] [ non-primary source needed ]
Jill Scott To Whom This May Concern Blues Babe, Human Re Sources, The Orchard [21]
Tiana Major9 November Scorpio +1 [22]
20 Choker Heaven Ain't SoldJet Fuzz [23] [ non-primary source needed ]
Leigh-Anne My Ego Told Me To Virgin [24]
Moonchild Waves ONErpm [18]
27 Bruno Mars The Romantic Atlantic [25]
Gena (Liv.e & Karriem Riggins)The Pleasure is Yours Lex [26]
GoGo MorrowSet MNRK [7]
TBA B2K TBABPC [27]

March

DayArtist(s)AlbumRecord label(s)Ref.
4 Eliza The Darkening GreenLog Off Records [28]
6WaterbabyMemory Be A Blade Sub Pop [29]
13 James Blake Trying TimesGood Boy [30]
20 Ego Ella May Good IntentionsBelieve [31]
27 Elmiene Sounds for Someone Polydor, Def Jam [7]
Raye This Music May Contain Hope Human Re Sources [32]
Rum.gold Is There Anybody Home?Independent [33]

April

DayArtist(s)AlbumRecord label(s)Ref.
3 Arlo Parks Ambiguous Desire Transgressive [34]
10Wesley JosephForever Someday Secretly Canadian [35]

Unscheduled and TBA

Artist(s)AlbumRecord label(s)Ref.
6lack Love Is The New Gangsta LVRN [27]
Amanda Reifer The Reifer FilesTitle 9, Atlantic [36]
Amerie TBATBA [37]
Beyoncé Act III Parkwood, Columbia [38]
Brent Faiyaz Icon ISO Supremacy [39]
Brownstone Back AgainSelf-released [40] [ needs update ]
Case Love Jones, Vol. 2Self-released [41] [ needs update ]
Chris Brown Brown RCA [27]
Colde YangWavy [42] [ needs update ]
D'Angelo TBATBA [43]
Dawn Richard TBA Merge [44]
​Destin Conrad TBAAbove Ground, Empire [27]
Elle Varner S.E.L.F.Two Twelve Enterprises [45] [ needs update ]
Erykah Badu & The Alchemist Abi & AlanControl Freaq, Empire [46]
Fallon Both SidesSelf-released [47]
J. Valentine Conversations With WomenR&B Money [48]
Jai'Len JoseySerial Romantic Def Jam [49]
Jeremih TBALate Nights, Pulse, Concord [50] [ needs update ]
Kehlani TBA Atlantic Records [51]
Kelis TBATBA [52] [ needs update ]
Koffee Brown TBASlugga Music, Reservoir Recordings [53]
Leven Kali LK99 Def Jam [27]
Louis York TBAWeirdo Workshop [27]
Macy Gray Love Songs for Big Hearts and RobotsDNA, Hitmaker [54]
MarcLo 11 DaysSelf-released [55]
Maxwell blacksummers'NIGHTMusze, BMG [56]
Monica MDAWME [57] [ needs update ]
Musiq Soulchild & Hit-Boy Victims & Villains 2SoulStar [58] [ needs update ]
Nailah Blackman Born a DiamondBig Money [59]
Ne-Yo TBA ONErpm [60]
Omarion O2 Create [61]
ParadiseI Couldn't Explain It Even If I TriedMega, Gamma [62]
Rihanna R9 Roc Nation, Westbury Road [63]
Robin Thicke TBARun It Up Records [64] [ needs update ]
Rod Wave TBA Alamo [65]
Sean Garrett TBA Blackground Records [66]
Steve Lacy Oh Yeah? RCA, L-M [67]
SZA TBA Top Dawg, RCA [68]
Teedra Moses The Bullsh*tBlack Moses [69] [ needs update ]
Tiffany Evans TBAHubris Sound [70]
Tone Stith TBA MNRK [27]
Tweet The Memoirs of The Southern Hummingbird SRG-ILS [71]
Victoria Monét TBA RCA [27]

Highest-charting songs

United States

R&B songs from any year which charted in the 2026 Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 [72]
SongArtistProjectPeak position
"I Just Might" Bruno Mars The Romantic 1
"Folded" Kehlani TBA6
"Where Is My Husband!" Raye 13
"So Easy (To Fall in Love)" Olivia Dean The Art of Loving 14
"Is It a Crime" Mariah the Scientist and Kali Uchis Hearts Sold Separately 27
"A Couple Minutes"Olivia DeanThe Art of Loving36

United Kingdom

R&B songs from any year which charted in the 2026 Top 10 of the UK Singles Chart [73]
SongArtistProjectPeak position
"Where Is My Husband!" Raye TBA1

All critically reviewed albums ranked

Metacritic

NumberArtistAlbumAverage scoreNumber of reviewsReference
1 The James Hunter Six Off The Fence865 reviews [74]
2The Sha La DasYour Picture844 reviews [75]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Sarmiento, Isabella Gomez (November 7, 2025). "2026 Grammy nominations are led by Kendrick Lamar". NPR. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
  2. ↑ Grein, Paul (January 12, 2026). "Kendrick Lamar, Doechii, Teyana Taylor & More Lead 2026 NAACP Image Award Nominations: Full List". Billboard. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
  3. ↑ Clarke, Naomi; Evitts, Jared; Allison, Pete (December 3, 2025). "Brits Critics Choice nominees unveiled: Sienna Spiro, Jacob Alon and Rose Gray". BBC. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
  4. ↑ Sherman, Maria (January 8, 2026). "Taylor Swift leads the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Award nominations, followed by Bad Bunny and more". Associated Press . Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  5. 1 2 Bustard, Andy (January 9, 2026). "New Music Friday: French Montana & Max B, IDK & Pusha T, Larry June & More". HipHopDX. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  6. ↑ Laura, Chama (January 16, 2026). "Ady Suleiman Releases New Sophmore Album 'Chasing'". Mixtape Madness. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 Samuels, Keithan (January 17, 2026). "24 New R&B Releases: Ella Mai, Tiana Major9, Elijah Blake, Gabby Samone and More". Rated R&B. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  8. ↑ Laura, Chama (January 9, 2026). "NSG Announce New Afrobeats Album, "Sounds Of The Diaspora" Out January 16th". Mixtape Madness. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  9. ↑ Horowitz, Steve (January 14, 2026). "James Hunter Six Get 'Off the Fence' and Land on a New Label". PopMatters. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  10. ↑ Thompson, Stephen (January 16, 2026). "New Music Friday: The best albums out Jan. 16". NPR. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  11. ↑ Murray, Robin (January 5, 2026). "Jada Kingdom Announces New EP 'Just A Girl In A Money Man's World'". Clash Magazine. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  12. ↑ DeVille, Chris (October 23, 2025). "Ari Lennox Announces New Album 'Vacancy': Hear "Under The Moon"". Stereogum. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  13. ↑ Chelosky, Danielle (July 15, 2025). "New Talking Heads Tribute Album Features Liv.e, Bilal, Georgia Anne Muldrow, & More". Stereogum. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  14. ↑ Murray, Robin (November 6, 2025). "DJ Harrison Announces New Album 'ElectroSoul'". Clash Magazine. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  15. ↑ Fofana, Oumou (January 16, 2016). "Wizkid and Asake fuel joint EP anticipation with "Jogodo," track list and date reveal". Revolt. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  16. ↑ Conteh, Mankaprr (October 15, 2025). "Jordan Ward Announces Sophomore Album 'Backward': 'These Little Moments Cost So Much'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
  17. ↑ Saponara, Michael (December 3, 2025). "Ella Mai Announces 'Do You Still Love Me?' Album Release Date: 'This is For the Lovers'". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2025.
  18. 1 2 3 Samuels, Keithan (January 9, 2026). "16 New R&B Releases: Jill Scott, Bruno Mars, Ari Lennox, SAULT and More". Rated R&B. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
  19. ↑ McNamara, Lauren (November 5, 2025). "Joji Announces New Album, Shares Second Single". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Amatoria | Ariel". Bandcamp. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  21. ↑ Horowitz, Steven J. "Jill Scott Announces New Album 'To Whom This May Concern,' Her First in Over a Decade". Variety. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
  22. ↑ Samuels, Keithan (November 5, 2025). "Tiana Major9 Announces Debut Album 'November Scorpio,' Shares 'Always'". Rated R&B. Retrieved November 10, 2025.
  23. ↑ "Choker Heaven Ain't Sold". Spotify. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  24. ↑ Carter, Daisy (October 20, 2025). "Little Mix star Leigh-Anne confirms debut solo album 'My Ego Told Me To'". DIY. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  25. ↑ Horowitz, Steven J. (January 7, 2026). "Bruno Mars Announces New Album 'The Romantic,' His First in Nearly a Decade". Variety. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  26. ↑ Breihan, Tom (December 11, 2025). "Liv.e & Karriem Riggins Announce Debut GENA Album 'The Pleasure Is Yours': Hear "HOWWEFLOW"". Stereogum. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  27. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Samuels, Keithan (January 5, 2026). "The Most Anticipated R&B Albums of 2026". Rated R&B. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
  28. ↑ Tibbits, Ben (January 9, 2026). "ELIZA is Done Compromising". Wonderland. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  29. ↑ Murray, Robin (January 14, 2026). "waterbaby Announces New Album 'Memory Be A Blade'". Clash Magazine. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  30. ↑ Aswad, Jem (January 22, 2026). "James Blake to Release 'Trying Times,' His First Album as a Fully Independent Artist, in March". Variety. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  31. ↑ Hussain, Shahzaib (January 14, 2026). "Ego Ella May Announces New Album 'Good Intentions'". Clash Magazine. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  32. ↑ Smith, Thomas (September 19, 2025). "RAYE Shares Bombastic New Song 'Where Is My Husband?', Announces Sophomore Album and World Tour". Billboard. Retrieved September 24, 2025.
  33. ↑ Factora, James (December 11, 2025). "The 10 Most Anticipated LGBTQ+ Albums of 2026". Them. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  34. ↑ Green, Walden (January 13, 2026). "Arlo Parks Announces New Album Ambiguous Desire". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
  35. ↑ Murray, Robin (January 8, 2026). "Wesley Joseph Shares Plans For New Album 'Forever Someday'". Clash Magazine. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  36. ↑ Turner-Williams, Jaelani (February 28, 2025). "New Music Friday: Lizzo, Amanda Reifer and a Third Reason Album". BET. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  37. ↑ Turner-Williams, Jaelani (May 22, 2025). "Amerie Wanted to Follow Her 'Heart' On First Album in 16 Years". BET. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  38. ↑ McClay, Caché (September 24, 2025). "Beyoncé fans await her upcoming album: Everything we know about 'Act III' so far". USA Today. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  39. ↑ Chelosky, Danielle (September 6, 2025). "Brent Faiyaz Shares New Song "if. (spring in new york)": Listen". Stereogum. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  40. ↑ Samuels, Keithan (May 15, 2024). "Brownstone Releases New Song 'Stand By Me'". Rated R&B. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  41. ↑ Samuels, Keithan (September 23, 2024). "Case, RL, and Raheem DeVaughn Share New Song 'Naked'". Rated R&B. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  42. ↑ Kim, Regina (December 27, 2024). "Colde On His English Single Album, Synesthesia And Plans For 2025". Forbes. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  43. ↑ Molloy, Laura (November 14, 2025). "Posthumous D'Angelo album reportedly on the way". NME. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
  44. ↑ Samuels, Keithan (December 4, 2025). "Dawn Richard Returns With Bold New Song 'A Flex'". Rated R&B. Retrieved December 5, 2025.
  45. ↑ Samuels, Keithan (November 26, 2024). "Elle Varner Returns With New Single 'Fallin Up': Stream Now". Rated R&B. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  46. ↑ Williams, Stereo (August 29, 2025). "Erykah Badu and Alchemist Album 'Abi & Alan' Delayed". Okayplayer. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
  47. ↑ Samuels, Keithan (October 1, 2025). "Fallon Releases New Song 'Papercut'". Rated R&B. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
  48. ↑ Samuels, Keithan (February 18, 2025). "J. Valentine Shares Steamy New Song 'Separate Ways'". Rated R&B. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
  49. ↑ Samuels, Keithan (November 3, 2025). "Jai'Len Josey Shares New Song 'Won't Force You'". Rated R&B. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  50. ↑ Samuels, Keithan (October 18, 2024). "Jeremih and 4batz Release New Song 'Sick'". Rated R&B. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  51. ↑ Velasquez, Angelina (November 20, 2025). "Kehlani reveals "Folded" changed the sound of their album dropping spring 2026". Revolt. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  52. ↑ Brandle, Lars (August 21, 2024). "Kelis: New Music Sounds Like 'If Wu-Tang and Sade Had a Baby'". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  53. ↑ "Koffee Brown Releases New Single "A Place Called Love"". YouKnowIGotSoul. November 20, 2025. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  54. ↑ Samuels, Keithan (July 11, 2025). "Macy Gray Reimagines Alicia Keys' 'No One,' Announces New Album". Rated R&B. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  55. ↑ Samuels, Keithan (December 10, 2025). "MarcLo Is in Awe of His Muse on New Song 'Marvel'". Rated R&B. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  56. ↑ Mitchell, Gail (July 21, 2025). "Maxwell Sets Sail for Upcoming 'Silent Serenade' Residency, Third Ocean Cruise: 'I'm Not Done Yet'". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  57. ↑ Garcia, Thania (July 30, 2024). "Monica Signs With WME (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  58. ↑ Samuels, Keithan (October 29, 2024). "Musiq Soulchild and Hit-Boy Announce 'Victims & Villains 2'". Rated R&B. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  59. ↑ Denis, Kyle (March 14, 2025). "Soca Superstar Nailah Blackman Announces New 'Born a Diamond' LP: 'It's Inevitable for Me to Crossover'". Billboard. Retrieved March 23, 2025.
  60. ↑ Cowen, Trace William (November 21, 2025). "Ne-Yo Gives Taste of Upcoming Country-Inspired Album With New Track "Simple Things"". Complex. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  61. ↑ Samuels, Keithan (November 6, 2025). "Omarion Announces New Album 'O2,' Shares 'For War'". Rated R&B. Retrieved November 10, 2025.
  62. ↑ Samuels, Keithan (March 15, 2025). "Paradise Hits the 'Highway' on New Song". Rated R&B. Retrieved March 23, 2025.
  63. ↑ Cho, Regina (May 6, 2025). "Rihanna Confirms Whether Or Not Her Third Pregnancy Will Put 'R9' Album "On Pause"". Vibe. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  64. ↑ "Robin Thicke returns with exciting new single 'I Know What To Do'". ThisisRnB. August 24, 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  65. ↑ Saponara, Michael (September 8, 2025). "Rod Wave Talks Launching Mainstay Touring, 'Sinners' & Upcoming Album: 'Taking It to Another Level'". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  66. ↑ Lupiani, Joyce (July 18, 2025). "Atlanta hitmaker Sean Garrett talks about philanthropy, musical legacy". FOX 5 Atlanta. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  67. ↑ Ihaza, Jeff (August 14, 2025). "Steve Lacy Is One of Modern Pop's Most Unique Talents. Just Don't Make a Big Deal About It". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  68. ↑ Tharpe, Frazier (November 6, 2025). "SZA on Topping Charts, Making New Music, and Opting Out of Feuds". GQ. Retrieved November 10, 2025.
  69. ↑ Abraham, Mya (October 16, 2024). "Teedra Moses Clarifies "Be Your Girl" Backstory, Announces New Three-Part EP". Vibe. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  70. ↑ Samuels, Keithan (June 21, 2025). "Tiffany Evans Powers Through the Pain on 'Hope You Understand Me': Listen". Rated R&B. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  71. ↑ "Tweet Signs New Record Deal & Announces New Music". WBLS. September 21, 2025. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  72. ↑ "Top 100 Songs Billboard Hot 100 Chart". Billboard . Archived from the original on January 22, 2026. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  73. ↑ "Top 100 Songs | Official Single Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company . Retrieved January 7, 2026.
  74. ↑ Off The Fence by The James Hunter Six , retrieved January 18, 2026
  75. ↑ Your Picture by The Sha La Das , retrieved January 18, 2026
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