The Best Soul & R&B Albums of the 1990s
Our pick of the essential soul & r&b records released in the 1990s, ranked.
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1BaduizmErykah Badu
Baduizm
The debut that helped define neo-soul, jazzy and hypnotic with a singular voice. Cool and assured. A genre cornerstone.
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2Brown SugarD'Angelo
Brown Sugar
A warm, classicist neo-soul debut that helped launch the genre. Smooth and assured. An influential record.
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3Maxwell's Urban Hang SuiteMaxwell
Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite
A smooth, sensual neo-soul concept album that helped define the genre. Warm and cohesive. An influential debut.
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4My LifeMary J. Blige
My Life
A raw, confessional hip-hop-soul landmark of pain and survival. Honest and beloved. Her masterpiece.
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5What's the 411?Mary J. Blige
What's the 411?
A foundational hip-hop-soul debut. Sharp and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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6CrazySexyCoolTLC
CrazySexyCool
A smooth, hugely successful R&B landmark, home to 'Waterfalls' and 'Creep'. Polished and beloved. A 90s staple.
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7The Writing's on the WallDestiny's Child
The Writing's on the Wall
A blockbuster R&B peak, home to 'Say My Name'. Polished and huge. A breakthrough.
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8Love DeluxeSade
Love Deluxe
Lush, late-night soul of real depth, home to 'No Ordinary Love'. Understated and gorgeous. Their finest record.
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9My WayUsher
My Way
A slick, hit-laden R&B peak, home to 'Nice & Slow'. Smooth and huge. A breakthrough.
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10FanMailTLC
FanMail
A futuristic, hit-packed R&B peak, home to 'No Scrubs'. Polished and huge. A commercial high.
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11One in a MillionAaliyah
One in a Million
A sleek, futuristic R&B landmark with Timbaland's innovative beats. Smooth and influential. Her breakthrough.