R&B is the one musical genre that never fails to uplift any party or bedroom scenario, but what are the best R&B songs of the 90’s? With their trademark silky vocals, catchy melodies and thumping beats, you can count on any of these tracks when you want to have a feel-good time. But which tune is the best for a love declaration and which ones are more adequate for breaking out in dance?
A couple of months ago we covered the party terrain with our article on the 10 best party songs of all time to bring the house down with, which focused more on disco and pop tunes than our beloved R&B. So now it’s time to call in our favourite singers and divas, from Whitney Houston, to Ginuwine, to TLC; they all knew how to get you in the groove and never failed to deliver some of the best R&B songs of the 90’s. Crank up the volume and get those vocal chords warmed up, because you’ll be singing along to each and every song on this list.
18. En Vogue – My Lovin (You’re Never Gonna Get It)
Producer: Denzil Foster, Thomas McElroy
Album: Funky Divas
Label: East West
One of the sassiest tunes of the 90’s, this R&B group knew just how to strut their stuff and show a disrespectful man to the door.
This isn’t the end of the road on our countdown of the best R&B songs of the 90’s. There are 17 more still to come, don’t miss them.
17. Adina Howard – Freak Like Me
Producer: Mass Order
Album: Do You Wanna Ride?
Label: East West/Lola Maxx
An ode to any lady who likes to get down and dirty, this song stoked bedroom and dance floor fires equally well.
16. Erykah Badu – On & On
Producer: Madukwu Chinwah, Erykah Badu
Album: Baduizm
Label: Kedar/Universal/MCA
Not only is this song full of lyrical magic, but it also won Badu a Grammy in 1998. Along with that, it has an incredibly good beat.
15. Toni Braxton – You’re Makin’ Me High
Producer: Babyface, Bryce Wilson
Album: Secrets
Label: LaFace
Braxton’s husky voice and her sensual display of emotions earned her a No.1 hit and her third Grammy, so give it up for this soulful lady.
14. Boyz II Men – End Of the Road
Producer: Babyface, L.A. Reid, Daryl Simmons
Album: Boomerang Original Soundtrack
Label: LaFace/Arista, Motown
For anyone suffering from heartbreak, this is the perfect song to shed your tears to.
13. Janet Jackson – That’s the Way Love Goes
Producer: Janet Jackson, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis
Album: Janet
Label: Virgin
There’s no doubt in my mind that several babies were conceived to this R&B classic.
12. Usher – You Make Me Wanna
Producer: Jermaine Dupri, Manuel Seal
Album: My Way
Label: LaFace/Arista
Although Usher provided us with an array of awesome tracks, this one is by far the catchiest and the one that increased his popularity significantly.
11. Mariah Carey – Honey
Producer: Mariah Carey, Puff Daddy, Stevie J, Q-Tip
Album: Butterfly
Label: Columbia
Not only does this song’s video clip feature Mariah’s feisty side, but Stevie J and Puff Daddy’s intervention on the pop-diva’s album helped her capture a whole new audience: the R&B crowd.
10. Color Me Badd – I Wanna Sex You Up
Producer: Dr. Freeze & Howie Tee
Album: C.M.B/ New Jack Swing Soundtrack
Label: Giant Records
With some of the most explicit lyrics of the 90’s, this song doesn’t beat around the bush.
9. Michael Jackson – Remember the Time
Producer: Teddy Riley, Michael Jackson
Album: Dangerous
Label: Epic
Combine an unstoppable beat with MJ’s shouts – which are always glorious – and you have an impeccable R&B hit.
8. Lauryn Hill – Ex-Factor
Producer: Lauryn Hill
Album: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Label: Ruffhouse, Columbia
Although this isn’t Lauryn Hill’s most famous song, I consider it to be one of the best R&B tracks of the 90’s for its vulnerability and sensitive lyrics. It also showcases her voice in the most beautiful way.
7. Aaliyah – Are You That Somebody
Producer: Timbaland
Album: Dr. DoLittle Soundrack
Label: Blackground/Atlantic
I could list every single one of Aaliyah’s creations here, but this tune takes the crown for me. Timbaland’s input, the strange baby chuckle in the background and the slyness of the lyric “Sometimes I’m goody goody, right now I’m naughty naughty” are just too unique.
6. Destiny’s Child – Say My Name
Producer: Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins
Album: The Writing’s on the Wall
Label: Columbia
Beyoncé’s former girl group released a series of hits in the late 90’s, but this is the one radio stations will play until the end of time.
5. Montell Jordan – This Is How We Do It
Producer: Montell Jordan, Oji Pierce
Album: This Is How We Do It
Label: Def Jam
“South Central does it like nobody does” sang Montell in 1995, unleashing a musical frenzy at block parties in every urban neighbourhood of the U.S.
4. Brandy & Monica – The Boy Is Mine
Producer: Darkchild, Brandy, Dallas Austin
Album: Never Say Never/The Boy Is Mine
Label: Atlantic/Arista
This is probably one of the most famous female duets of all time, and I have yet to meet a girl (and boy, quite frankly) who hasn’t acted out this song with a friend.
3. Blackstreet – No Diggity
Producer: Teddy Riley, William “Skylz” Stewart
Album: Another Level
Label: Interscope
Since 1996 every crowd goes crazy when the DJ plays this song and I doubt that will ever change. This song also won Blackstreet a Grammy in 1998 for Best R&B Performance.
2. TLC – Scrubs
Producer: Kevin “She’kspere” Briggs
Album: FanMail
Label: LaFace/Arista
A feminist anthem sung by three lovely ladies in futuristic clothing…how could it not be number two on the list?
1. Ginuwine – Pony
Producer: Timbaland
Album: The Bachelor
Label: 550 Music
And the title of best R&B song of the 90’s goes to this sexy, explicit, and almost raunchy Ginuwine tune. Long live the king who offered all women his pony to ride on.
