The 30 greatest R&B songs from the 2000s

Usher is the type of artist who continued to elevate his sound with each album. He did just that in 2001 when he released his third album 8701, which featured the hit single “U Don’t Have to Call.” On the track, Usher reflects on a past lover who didn’t appreciate him, so he’s ready to be on the scene again, hoping to find love from someone else. Basically, don’t call Usher because he’s going out with the guys for a night on the town. 

In 2001, Mary J. Blige released her fifth album No More Drama, which was led by the hit single “Family Affair.” Produced by Dr. Dre, the song finds Blige who wants to make sure people let loose and have fun in the club. As she sings on the hook, “Don’t need no hateration / Holleration in this dancery / Let’s get it percolatin,' while you’re waiting / So just dance for me.” 

Just three years after releasing her debut album Baduizm, soulful singer Erykah Badu returned in 2000 with her follow-up Mama’s Gun. The album’s lead single “Bag Lady” tells the story of a woman hoping to start a new relationship, but it becomes difficult to get close to anyone because she’s carrying so much emotional baggage from the last one. As she says on the track, “One day, all them bags gon’ get in your way.” 

Just three years after releasing her sophomore album Fear of Flying, Mýa returned with her third album Moodring. The album’s lead single “My Love is Like…Wo” was written and produced by Missy Elliott, and lyrically Mýa describes her libration and how she can please a lover. One of the things that stood out about the music video is how Mýa showed off her trained dancing skills, such as a scene where she breaks into a tap-dancing routine. 

Just four years after releasing her previous album The Velvet Rope, Janet Jackson returned with her seventh album All For You. Led by the eponymous single produced by frequent collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the song adds a dance-heavy pop and disco feel that samples Change’s 1980 single “The Glow of Love.” On the track, Jackson gives the perspective of catching a guy’s eye while at the club, but if he approaches her correctly, she’ll give him a chance. 

Early in Toni Braxton’s career, the songstress was known for singing love ballads. However, by the time she released her third album The Heat, she switched up her sound slightly to give her more of a pop edge. The album’s lead single “He Wasn’t Man Enough” was produced by Rodney “Darkchild” Jenkins, in which Braxton lyrically warns a woman about her husband, and why Braxton chose to dump him. 

In the early 2000s, Kanye West produced for not only rappers, but also R&B artists. It was no different when he teamed up with Alicia Keys in 2003 to work on her single  “You Don’t Know My Name.” On the track, Keys tells the story of a potential guy who catches her eye, and she starts daydreaming of a future life with him. At the end of the track, she finally gets the courage to introduce herself and ask him on a date. 

In 2000, UK singer Craig David came onto the scene with his hit single “Fill Me In.” On the track, David gives the perspective of a young guy who spends time with a girl next door while her parents aren’t around. Of course, the parents are suspicious and want to know how their daughter spends her time while they’re away. “Fill Me In” peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

Mariah Carey came back with a vengeance on her tenth album The Emancipation of Mimi. A number of critics had written Carey off in the years prior due to a decline in sales, but she proved them wrong on this album. The second single “We Belong Together” was produced by frequent collaborator Jermaine Dupri, and it lyrically finds Carey reflecting how she shouldn’t have ended a past relationship and realizes they’re actually meant to be together. The track stayed at No. 1 for fourteen weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. 

Ashanti knows how people can be so silly while in love on her debut single “Foolish.” She’s well aware that love can play tricks on a person’s mind and heart, they can be treated badly, and they still don’t have the will to leave. As she says on the hook, “See my days are cold without you / But I’m hurting while I’m with you / And though my heart can’t take no more / I keep on running back to you.” 

In 2000, Musiq Soulchild released his debut album Aijuswanaseing, which was led by the hit single “Just Friends (Sunny).” On the track, Musiq gives the perspective of a guy who’s interested in a woman, but he doesn’t want to pressure her into a relationship, he simply wants to get to know her first. As he sings on the hook, “I’m not tryna to pressure you / Just can’t stop thinking about you / You ain’t even really gotta be my girlfriend / I just wanna know your name and maybe some time / We can hook up, hang out, just chill.” 

Just two years after coming onto the scene with his self-titled debut album, Chris Brown returned to release his follow-up Exclusive. He teamed up with T-Pain on the album’s second single “Kiss Kiss.” On the track, Brown is very confident in his appearance and his wealth, to the point in which he knows that those are things that make him attractive for affection. “Kiss Kiss” became a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. 

In 2000, D’Angelo released his sophomore album Voodoo, which featured the hit song “Untitled (How Does It Feel).” Co-produced and co-written by Raphael Saadiq, D’Angelo gives the perspective of a man desiring to please his partner and vice versa sexually. The video also became a standout, because the half-nude scenes catapulted D’Angelo into a sex symbol.  

Beyoncé teamed up with producer-songwriter Rich Harrison and her now-husband Jay Z on her breakthrough solo single “Crazy In Love.” On the track, Beyoncé describes how a lover is making her feel crazy for him, for his love, and for his presence. As she expresses on the second verse, “It’s the beat the my heart skips when I’m with you / But I still don’t understand / Just how your can do what no one else can.” 

In 2001, Ginuwine released his third album The Life, which featured his signature love song “Differences.” Produced and co-written by Troy Oliver, the song is all about how Ginuwine feels like he found the special someone that he wants to spend the rest of his life with. Surprisingly, Ginuwine doesn’t mention the word “differences” in the song at all, so many fans associate the title with lyrics from the hook as “My whole life has changed.” 

R&B group Jagged Edge and rapper Nelly are ready to get the party started on their 2001 single properly titled “Where the Party At.” Produced by frequent collaborator Jermaine Dupri, the track details everything from how people pull up the club in fly cars, talking to models on the dance floor, and buying everything at the bar. “Where the Party At” reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

In the early 2000s, Usher had already established himself as a star, but it was his fourth album Confessions that catapulted him into superstar status. He teamed up with Lil Jon and Ludacris on the album’s lead single “Yeah!,” a track that blended R&B with the Atlanta crunk sound of the time. “Yeah!” became one the most successful singles in 2004, and to this day is one of Usher’s most popular tracks in his discography. 

Just two years after releasing her previous album Love & Life, Mary J. Blige returned with her seventh album The Breakthrough. She teamed up with songwriters Bryan-Michael Cox, Johnta Austin, and Jason Perry on the lead ballad “Be Without You.” On the track, Blige describes a relationship that is so true, even if family and friends questioned their love. They may go through ups and downs like any other relationship, but she knows their love is for the long haul. “Be Without You” helped Blige win a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song. 

Although Robin Thicke had been in the music industry for several years, first as a songwriter for others (Jordan Knight, Brandy), and then releasing his debut album in 2002, his breakthrough came in 2006 with his ballad “Lost Without U.” On the track, Thicke describes how much he needs words of affirmation from his lover. It’s evident in the first verse as he sings, “Tell me how you love me more / And how you think I’m sexy, baby / That you don’t want nobody else / You don’t want this guy, you don’t want that guy.” 

Ciara first came onto the scene in 2004 when she teamed up with rapper Petey Pablo and producer Lil Jon on her debut single “Goodies.” On the track, Ciara highlights how she doesn’t give her goodies to anyone, they not only have to be her type of gentleman, but they have to earn it and not try to buy it. “Goodies” was No. 1 on several Billboard charts including the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and the Hot 100. 

Omarion teamed up with producer and songwriter Timbaland on his 2006 single “Ice Box.” On the track, Omarion reflects on a relationship that turned sour, but he’s hoping they can rekindle the flame they once had. 

Ne-Yo came onto the scene in 2005, but it was his second single “So Sick” that put him on fans' and critics' radar as a rising star in the R&B world. On the track, Ne-Yo details the feelings of dealing with a break-up. Although he knows the relationship is done, he still can’t seem to get his ex-lover out of his mind. As he sings on the hook, “And I’m so sick of love songs, so tired of tears / So done with wishing you were still here / Said I’m so sick of love songs, so sad and slow / So why can’t I turn off the radio.” 

In addition to his work as an actor and comedian, Jamie Foxx also proved just how much of a triple threat he is as a singer as well. In 2008, Foxx released his third album Intuition, which featured the hit single “Blame It.” He teams up with T-Pain on the track, in which they describe how different alcohols can make people act a little different when they get a little buzzed. 

Michael Jackson teamed up with Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins” on his 2001 single “You Rock My World.” On the track, Jackson showcases his feelings for a lover who he’s ready to spend the rest of his life with. As he sings in the first verse, “My life will never be the same / ‘Cause girl you came and changed / The way I walk, the way I talk / I cannot explain the things I feel for you.” 

Tweet teamed up with Missy Elliott and producer Timbaland on her breakthrough hit single “Oops (Oh My).” While the track is widely believed to be about sexual self-pleasure, Tweet and Elliott have often said the song is more about self-love. “Oops (Oh My)” peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

Just three years after releasing her debut album All I Have, Amerie returned with her follow-up Touch. She teamed up with frequent collaborator and producer Rich Harrison on the album’s lead single “1 Thing,” which was also the lead single on the Hitch soundtrack. In the song, Amerie reflects on how it’s one thing that always keeps people attracted to their lovers. 

Bobby V. teamed up with songwriting-production duo Tim & Bob on his breakthrough single “Slow Down.” On the track, Bobby tells the story of how he sees a young lady walking down the street who catches his eye, and he’s hoping to talk to her and show his interest. As he sings in the first verse, “I saw you walking down on Melrose / You looked like an angel straight out of Heaven, girl / I was blown away by your sexiness / Now all I have to do is catch up to you.”

Just three years after his debut album Southside, Lloyd returned with his follow-up Street Love. The album’s second single “Get It Shawty,” was produced by James “J. Lack” Lackey, the younger brother of R&B singer Usher. On the track, Lloyd tells the story of seeing a lady at the club who catches his eye, and he wants to dance with her. 

Estelle was already making waves in the R&B scene in the U.K. for a few years, but it wasn’t until her 2008 single “American Boy,” that helped her breakthrough to American audiences. Produced by will.i.am and with a feature from rapper Kanye West, Estelle uses the track to describe how much she wants an American boyfriend and how he can show her some of the country’s beautiful cities. The song helped Estelle and West earn a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. 

In 2008, T-Pain released his third album Thr33 Ringz, which was led by the single “Can’t Believe It.” Teaming up with rapper Lil Wayne, T-Pain uses the track to describe how he can a treat a lover to the finer things in life.