Remember when everyone was asking “where’d all the good R&B go?” Well, 2026 just answered that question loud and clear. We’re in the middle of a full-blown R&B renaissance, and honestly? It’s about damn time.
At Hot Mic Radio, we’ve been watching this resurgence build for months, and the wave is finally crashing. These aren’t your parents’ smooth jazz-influenced crooners (no shade to them, though). Today’s R&B artists are blending classic soul with trap drums, confessional lyrics with viral hooks, and 90s nostalgia with cutting-edge production. The result? Pure magic coming through your speakers.
If you’re ready to upgrade your rotation beyond the usual suspects, we’ve got you covered. Here are 20 rising R&B artists that are about to dominate your playlists.
The Vulnerability Squad
Gabriel Jacoby has spent the last year building something special with his gutta child era. What sets him apart? The man isn’t afraid to get raw. We’re talking real vulnerability, the kind that makes you feel seen at 2 AM when you’re in your feelings. He’s positioning himself as the voice for anyone who’s tired of pretending everything’s perfect.
Arno Sacco might be Belgium-born and London-based, but his sound is universal. With only two singles out, he’s already showing the kind of tenderness that cuts through all the noise. Keep your eye on this one, he’s got that “it” factor.
Ebony Riley is what happens when you take classic soul and run it through a modern R&B filter. She’s been sharpening her sound, and word on the street is her debut album is going to be a problem (in the best way). The kind of artist that makes you want to slow dance in your kitchen.
The Breakthrough Stars
JayDon had us all paying attention in 2025 with his debut mixtape Me My Songs and I, but 2026 is shaping up to be his year. His single “Lullaby” went crazy, and honestly, we’re calling it now, he’s got next era-defining superstar written all over him. Hot Mic Radio has been spinning his tracks non-stop, and the phone lines light up every time.
Isaia Huron dropped CONCUBANIA in 2025 and hasn’t taken his foot off the gas since. The project showed range, showed depth, and showed us exactly why he’s one to watch. 2026 is looking like his expansion year, and we’re here for every minute of it.
YKNIECE is only 22, but she carries herself like a seasoned vet. Her voice? Enticing doesn’t even begin to cover it. Since breaking through in the South in 2025, she’s been impossible to ignore. Her debut album is dropping sometime in 2026, and trust us, you’ll want to be early to this party.
The Soul Revivalists
EJ Jones is bringing Memphis soul to the mainstream, and we’re not mad about it. The Quality Control signee went viral with “Gas Station Love,” and that’s just the beginning. There’s something authentic about his approach that feels like a throwback and a step forward at the same time.
Storm Ford made the move from Providence to Atlanta, and it shows in his sound. He’s got the richness, the vocals, and the understanding of what makes R&B tick. Atlanta’s production scene is only elevating what he was already bringing to the table.
Durand Bernarr has been quietly building a devoted following with his old-school approach to modern R&B. He understands dynamics, he understands space, and most importantly, he understands how to make you feel something.
The Genre-Benders
Leon Thomas is proof that R&B doesn’t have to stay in one lane. He’s mixing influences from across the board, creating something that feels both familiar and completely new. We’ve been rotating his tracks during our evening slots, and the response has been wild.
Lovelogiq (yeah, that’s how it’s spelled) is taking the experimental approach. Sometimes it’s atmospheric, sometimes it’s in-your-face, but it’s always interesting. The kind of artist that keeps you guessing: in the best possible way.
PLUTO followed up her successful debut album PLUTO WORLD by continuing to push boundaries. She’s not concerned with staying in any particular box, and that freedom is translating into some seriously innovative sounds.
The New School Legends
Lucky Daye has been around the block, but he’s hitting a new stride in 2026. His consistency is unmatched, and he keeps finding new ways to evolve without losing what made us fall in love with his music in the first place.
Brent Faiyaz continues to dominate the moody R&B lane. If you’ve been sleeping on him, wake up. His influence on the current generation of R&B artists can’t be overstated, and he’s still creating at an elite level.
Alex Isley brings that West Coast smoothness to everything she touches. Her approach to R&B feels like a summer day: warm, inviting, and impossible to resist.
The Collectives and Crews
2BYG (To Be Young & Gifted) is what happens when you take the 90s R&B group formula and update it for 2026. These Texas natives are bringing back harmonies, coordinated fits, and that group chemistry we’ve been missing. If you grew up on Boyz II Men or Dru Hill, you need to check them out.
Kenyon Dixon represents that smooth, mature R&B that never goes out of style. He’s carving out his own space with music that sounds timeless rather than trendy.
The Wildcard Picks
Mariana Reyes (our addition to the list) is coming out of Houston with a bilingual approach that’s opening R&B up to new audiences. Her ability to flow between English and Spanish while maintaining that R&B feel is something special.
DeVaughn Pierce (another one we’re betting on) is the underground favorite that’s about to break through. He’s been building his sound independently, and the authenticity is undeniable. We started playing his tracks during our late-night sessions, and the requests have been pouring in ever since.
Why This Moment Matters
Here’s the thing about R&B’s 2026 comeback: it’s not just about the music. It’s about artists reclaiming the genre and taking it in new directions. These 20 artists represent different approaches, different sounds, different perspectives, but they’re all united by one thing: they’re making music that hits you in the chest.
At Hot Mic Radio, we’ve been championing these artists because we believe in what they’re building. When you tune into our shows, you’re not just getting the hits everyone already knows: you’re getting introduced to the artists who are about to be everywhere.
This R&B resurgence is real, and it’s happening right now. Whether you’re into the vulnerable confessionals, the soul revival, or the experimental genre-bending, there’s something here for you. These 20 artists are just the beginning, but they’re the perfect place to start.
So update those playlists, check out our schedule to catch these artists during our rotation, and get ready to tell everyone you knew about them first. Because trust us( 2026 is the year R&B takes back the crown.)
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