


Many mainstream listeners are just now becoming acquainted with Gallant, thanks to his stellar 2016 debut. The richness in his tone only cements his spot as R&B’s elder statesman.

Wilson’s a good four decades into his iconic career and his distinct vocals STILL outshine his peers. Y’all love throwing around terms like “timeless” and “legendary” but the only person on this list who deserves that lofty praise is Uncle Charlie. From pop hits to bedroom ballads, his versatility is his greatest strength.

He still possesses some of the most recognizable and stirring vocals in the game today. And while I haven’t been a big fan of his song choices, one thing that’s undeniable is his voice. Yeah, I know, if you’ve been hanging around for the past year or so, I haven’t been too kind to Mr. His tenor has been a staple in R&B since the early ’90s and still remains as rock solid today as it was when it first graced our eardrums. I made this very statement a few years back and I stand by it: If I could steal a singing voice Ursula-style, I’d want to sound like Joe Thomas. His high-pitched falsetto has fueled some of the most romantic songs of our generation. But even when he finally comes down to Earth his voice is downright heavenly. He’s the Halley’s comet of the game, only gracing our presence every few years. Maxwell’s long been one of R&B’s greatest enigmas. His rock-solid tenor often fuels the stories of his emotional ballads and, when the time is right, can even liven up a party. While researching this post, I wound up bumping him up a few spots because of his incredible tone and control. His smooth, pure vocals are absolutely alluring and his range is nearly off the charts. Benet’s effortless control makes him the envy of his peers. We don’t talk enough about Eric Benet’s flawless delivery. Tyrese possess a surprising amount of power, giving him a keen advantage over the lightweight voices that tend to populate radio playlists. Lord knows Tyrese’s mouth gets him in enough trouble these days, but when he replaces his usual heresy with harmonies, magic happens. His delivery is rarely pitch-perfect but it’s emotional – and that’s what good music is all about. Hamilton’s gospel-drenched notes have long been his hallmark. Anthony HamiltonĪnthony Hamilton’s trademark rasp sounds like it hopped right out of the baptismal pool and headed right for the choir stand. Honorable mentions: Stokley Williams, Johnny Gill, Kenny Lattimore, R. Now, let’s salute the most compelling male voices in R&B today. That’s especially important later in the list.
