Life And Times With Music:My Top 10 R&B Artists Of The 2010s

March 25, 2026·24 min·2 clips

Chris Brown dominates the 2010s with too many hits and albums to ignore, making him the undisputed number one.

Brandon Janu hosts this episode of his show, dedicating it to ranking his top 10 R&B artists of the 2010s. He presents his personal list, counting down from number ten to number one with explanations for each placement. He starts the list at number ten with Summer Walker, noting her debut album arrived in 2019 after initial buzz from the "Girls Need Love" remix with Drake. At number nine is Ella Mai, credited with shaking up the scene with her self-titled debut album and hits like "Boo'd Up" and "Trip." Bryson Tiller lands at number eight, with the host asserting his "Trapsoul" album is considered one of the best R&B albums of the last decade. Miguel is ranked seventh, with the host arguing his first album is a classic that doesn't receive proper respect, containing songs like "Sure Thing" and "Girls Like You." Jhené Aiko takes the sixth spot, praised for her numerous high-profile collaborations with artists like Big Sean, J. Cole, and Drake throughout the decade. The top five begins with SZA at number five, acknowledging her "Ctrl" album as a landmark work that launched her career, though he notes her output was less frequent in the 2010s compared to others. Trey Songz is a controversial pick at number four, with the host citing albums like "Ready," "Chapter V," and "Trigga" along with hit features as evidence of his dominance, particularly in the early 2010s. Beyoncé is ranked third, with the host classifying albums like "4," "Beyoncé," and "Lemonade" as R&B works despite their pop categorization. The Weeknd is number two, highlighted for his impactful run from the "Trilogy" mixtapes to major albums like "Beauty Behind the Madness" and "Starboy." Chris Brown is declared the undisputed number one, praised for an extensive catalog of albums, hits, and features throughout the entire decade, which the host says even his detractors must acknowledge. A surprising claim is that Miguel's debut album is an under-appreciated classic that should receive more respect than his later work like "Kaleidoscope Dream." The host argues Jhené Aiko does not get enough credit for her pervasive influence and feature runs on other artists' major songs. He states that Trey Songz was the measuring stick for many R&B artists in the early 2010s, regardless of personal controversies that affected his career later. A memorable moment is the host's emphatic defense of Chris Brown's top position, insisting his volume of work and talent make him an undeniable choice for the decade. The tone is highly opinionated and conversational, filled with passionate, expletive-laden declarations about each artist's legacy. The style is a solo monologue where the host directly addresses the audience to justify his personal rankings. Listeners who enjoy passionate, debate-stirring rankings of modern R&B artists and don't mind strong language would appreciate this episode. Those seeking a more measured, analytical discussion of musical impact or who are sensitive to explicit content might prefer to skip it.

As heard by us

A R&B countdown that cares more about the argument than the polish.

BrandonJaneauShow keeps the countdown moving in this episode, pushing the top 10 R&B artists of the 2010s closer to the finish. Aiko lands at number six, and the case for giving her more credit is built around her features, collaborations, and solo work.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

A loud 2010s R&B top 10 that treats each pick like a big statement, with Chris Brown at #1 and Jhen'e Aiko at #6.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from BrandonJaneauShow