18 Of The Best '90s R&B Artists You May Have Forgotten About

Honestly, though, they just don't make R&B music like they used to.

1. Groove Theory

Epic Records

Was there any '90s R&B–neo soul song more catchy than the infectiously smooth "Tell Me"? I think not.

2. Immature (later IMx)

Geffen Records

With songs like "Never Lie" and "Feel the Funk," Marques "Batman" Houston, Jerome "Romeo" Jones, and Don "Half-Pint" Santos made up the original R&B boy band Immature, who later welcomed Kelton "LDB" Kessee and changed their name to IMx. Houston is perhaps the most recognizable face of the trio, having played the adorably annoying neighbor Roger Evans on Sister, Sister.

3. Mona Lisa

Island Records

The singer was only 16 when she released 1996's "Can't Be Wasting My Time," featuring The Lost Boyz — a song that also appeared on Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood: The Soundtrack.

4. Shai

MCA Records

"If I Ever Fall in Love" was, hands down, the most affecting, spine-tingling R&B a cappella song of the '90s — and it probably made you fall in love with every single member of Shai the second you heard it.

5. Jade

Giant / Reprise

"Don't Walk Away" has that classic, crisp '90s R&B sound that you just can't help but bop to, nearly 30 years later.

6. Monifah

Uptown/Universal Records

If you don't want to start dancing as soon as you hear, like, 10 seconds of Monifah's 1998 hit song "Touch It," what kind of monster even are you?

7. Tevin Campbell

Qwest Records / Warner Bros. Records

Who could ever forget that voice of an angel? Or that time he guest-starred on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air as Ashley's celebrity crush? He was only 16 when he recorded his sophomore album I'm Ready, which included the catchy single of the same name and #1 hit song "Can We Talk."

8. Brownstone

Epic/MJJ Music

"If You Love Me" was undoubtedly Brownstone's biggest hit — having recently been ushered into the new millennium as a sample on Tory Lanez's "Say It."  

9. Xscape

So So Def / Sony Music Entertainment

While these days, Tameka "Tiny" Harris might be more recognizable from T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle, and Kandi Burruss from Real Housewives of Atlanta, they first rose to fame as one-half of Xscape, known for hits like "Just Kickin' It" and "Who Can I Run To." The group has been together on and off since 1992, most recently rebranding as XSCAP3 (featuring Tiny and sisters Tamika Scott and LaTocha Scott).

10. Da Brat

So So Def

With songs like "Funkdafied" and "Give It 2 U," Da Brat had a game-changing signature flow — and style, often rocking beaded braids, oversized tees, and 🔥 accessories. These days you can catch her as a co-host of the Rickey Smiley Morning Show and on Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta.

11. Shanice

Motown

It's simply impossible to forget the ridiculously catchy "doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo-doo" of Shanice's biggest hit, 1991's "I Love Your Smile." (Will this be in your head all day long now? Probably. You're welcome.)

12. Silk

Elektra

If you had already hit puberty by 1993, Silk's "Freak Me" definitely made you feel...many things. Discovered by Keith Sweat, the group most recently released an album in 2016 called Quiet Storm.

13. Soul for Real

Uptown Records

Reminiscent of a '90s Jackson 5, the four brothers of Soul for Real hit it big with the Heavy D–produced "Candy Rain" and the fun, upbeat number "Every Little Thing I Do" — and they even released a new single in 2016.

14. 702

Motown

"Where My Girls At?" is, quite possibly, the best girl-group song of the entire 1990s and that is a hill I am willing to die on.

15. Zhané

Motown

Smooth doesn't even begin to describe the sound of the gorgeous duo Zhané's music — from going-out playlist essential "Hey Mr. D.J." to the instantly uplifting "Groove Thing."

16. Total

Bad Boy / Arista

An integral part of the Bad Boy crew in the mid- to late '90s, the fierce women of Total had impeccable style and and released certified bangers like "Can't You See" and "Kissin' You."

17. H-Town

Luke

Raise your hand if you first experienced your sexual awakening after listing to H-Town's "Knockin' Da Boots." ✋

18. CeCe Peniston

AM

If you've been to a club anytime in, oh, the last three decades, surely you've lost your mind to "Finally" on the dance floor at least once. Thank you, Cece, for this timeless classic.

Check out a playlist with all the artists on Spotify or Apple Music!

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