RNB RADAR

RNB RADAR R&B. Culture. Commentary. [email protected] 📨
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Do you agree with billboard? Do you think Leon Thomas is taking home. ‘Best New Artist’ at the Grammys? 👇🏾
01/06/2026

Do you agree with billboard? Do you think Leon Thomas is taking home. ‘Best New Artist’ at the Grammys? 👇🏾

Y’all excited for New Ari Lennox? 🔥👇🏾
01/05/2026

Y’all excited for New Ari Lennox? 🔥👇🏾

01/04/2026

name an R&B song that’s heavy on the hootin’ and hollerin’ 🗣👇🏾

01/04/2026

What's your favorite song from Lloyd 🤎👇🏾

Elle Varner wows in new photos ❄️
01/03/2026

Elle Varner wows in new photos ❄️

01/03/2026

How many do you remember? 👀👇🏾

1996 is often cited as one of the greatest years in R&B history, right in the heart of what many consider the golden era of hip-hop and R&B. The genre wasn’t chasing trends, it was the standard.

R&B in ’96 was confident, fully formed, and everywhere. Slow jams ruled late nights, mid-tempos owned the radio, and albums were built to last, not just to chart. Artists were releasing records that felt intentional, emotional, and timeless, while producers perfected a sound that balanced soul, hip-hop, and polished songwriting. Love songs were tender, heartbreak records were devastating, and grooves were unmistakable.

This was the era of CDs on repeat, radio countdowns, and music videos that felt like events. R&B didn’t just coexist with hip-hop in 1996 the two pushed each other to higher ground, creating a run of music that still defines the genre today.

For many fans, 1996 wasn’t just a great year for R&B it was the blueprint.

Where R&B meets culture. Follow the source. .radar

Are you ready for new Jill Scott? 👀👇🏾Jill Scott has revealed the title and release date for her upcoming album To Whom T...
01/02/2026

Are you ready for new Jill Scott? 👀👇🏾

Jill Scott has revealed the title and release date for her upcoming album To Whom This May Concern, set to arrive on February 13, 2026. The project will mark her first full-length studio album since Woman (2015).

Happy 33rd Birthday to Bryson Tiller 🎈
01/02/2026

Happy 33rd Birthday to Bryson Tiller 🎈

01/02/2026

19 songs that are turning 25 in 2026 🎧

01/01/2026

Happy New Year 🥳 How many do you remember? 👀👇🏾

2001 was a defining year for R&B — a moment where the genre fully stepped into the new millennium while still holding onto the soul, emotion, and storytelling that shaped the ‘90s.

This was the era of glossy production, undeniable hooks, and voices that felt larger than life. Established stars sharpened their sound, new icons emerged, and R&B found itself dominating radio, clubs, and late-night slow jams all at once. Love songs hit harder, heartbreak felt cinematic, and the line between hip-hop and R&B blurred in ways that would shape the next two decades.

Whether you were riding around with the radio on, burning CDs, or watching videos on repeat, R&B in 2001 didn’t just soundtrack the moment — it defined it.

Where R&B meets culture. Follow the source. .radar

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