2020 felt like a decade due to all of the chaos happening in the world, but the one consistency was the amount of good music that dropped. Artists have been relatively quiet to start off the new year, but there are still plenty of quality singles for fans to enjoy.
Every month, HipHopDX puts a spotlight on the tracks that stand out from the overabundance of releases throughout the year, highlighting everything from Billboard chart-friendly singles to essential album cuts. Check back at the beginning of every month for updates and check out our other lists and our playlist below, which includes all of the songs mentioned in this article and more:
- If you’re looking for a more lyrical list: The Best Rap Songs of 2021 …(so far)
- Check out our list of Best R&B Songs of 2020 to catch up on anything you may have missed from last year.
Editor’s note: songs from this list were released between Dec. 1, 2020 – Jan. 29, 2021.
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Playlist
The Top R&B Songs of 2021 (December – January)
Contributing writers: Trent Clark, Kyle Eustice, Josh Svetz, Dana Scott, Brandon Caldwell, David Brake, Kenan Draughorne, Devon Jefferson & Jeremy Hecht.
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“Gravity” — Brent Faiyaz & DJ Dahi f. Tyler, The Creator
DJ Dahi immediately sets the tone for “Gravity” with a soft, rolling surf guitar loop, driven by a spare, dragging kick drum. It’s a lilting, simple production that leaves plenty of space for Brent Faiyaz’s layered harmonies. The Columbia, Maryland born singer might only be 25-years-old, but he writes love songs like an old soul, detailing his romances with wit and a mature frankness. Faiyaz tapped Tyler, The Creator for his latest, a man who also knows his way around a good love song. Tyler’s more abrasive voice marries perfectly with the smooth production of DJ Dahi and Faiyaz’s soulful crooning.
“Good Days” — SZA
The Queen of R&B is back. All eyes turned to her with last year’s release of “Good Days,” which also featured Ty Dolla $ign. Now, “Good Days,” her latest track, has arrived, and the ball is in the TDE singer’s court. SZA’s run of exceptional production continues, with an all-star assembly of Los Hendrix, Nascent, Carter Lang and vocal magician Jacob Collier. “Good Days” also marks SZA’s first entry into the Billboard Hot 100 as a solo artist, peaking at the tenth spot weeks after its release. SZA seems to be leaning back into the sounds from her instant-classic Ctrl, and we couldn’t be more excited.
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“At My Worst” – Pink Sweat$ f. Kehlani
Reaching back into The Prelude EP, Pink Sweat$ taps Kehlani to afford his angelic “At My Worst” love song a second wind. The easy-going ballad is the perfect balance of sauntering vocals and entrancing guitar riffs elevated by minimal drum patterns. Additionally, the conversational verses of both Kehlani and Pink Sweat$ provide make the song incredibly endearing and relatable. We’re here for more R&B duets like this one, this year.
“Girl Like Me” – Jazmine Sullivan
“Spicy” – Ty Dolla $ign f. YG, Post Malone, Tyga, J Balvin
At the height of Featuring Ty Dolla $ign, the Taylog Gang vocalist’s Post Malone-leaning “Spicy” collaboration dominated the airwaves and eventually peaked at No. 44 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Now, with the additions of YG, Tyga and J Balvin, the tangy audio has yet another peppery pocket for listeners to fall into. And the spanglish vibes Dolla’s twists into his flows coupled with J Balvin Spanish-speaking bars, “Spicy” has effectively become a bi-lingual hit.
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“MLK Dr” – Smino
“Real Walker” – 24 Hrs
“On It” – Jazmine Sullivan f. Ari Lennox
Though the album bears the name Heaux Tales,Jazmine Sullivan’s new project listens more like a sultry collection of tracks inspired by pleasures of the flesh. The lust-filled dynamic of “On It” featuring Jazmine’s soul-sister Ari Lennox definitivelly highlights the delicate relationship between licentious vulgarity and relationship-based intimacy the entire album cleverly quantized. There is also an intense soulful element to the record that is reminiscent of the type of visceral R&B classics like D’angelo’s “How Does It Feel” from 2000.
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“He Said” – dvsn f. Miguel
Alternative R&B doesn’t quite classify DVSN’s Amusing Her Feelings track “He Said” featuring Miguel because it truly exists in a space of its own. Ignited by what is arguably pop/punk-tinged production and a very moody, semi-somber feature from Miguel, “He Said” crosses-over multiple genre guidelines in the best possible ways. And with lead-singer Daniel Daley’s sexualized lyrics cascading over the top of the apocalyptic instrumentation, “He Said” is easily one of the most memorable tracks from the OVO duo’s recent deluxe offering.
