R&B music has a timeless power to bridge generations, connecting listeners with its raw emotion and relatability. The lyrics from this genre capture universal experiences of joy, heartbreak, and resilience through stories that feel as vivid today as when they first heard them. Here, we spotlight 20 of R&B’s most iconic songwriters and artists whose music defined their eras and continues to inspire, connect, and move us. Take a journey through the songs behind these artists and rediscover the unforgettable stories within the R&B classics you love.
Babyface: Known for his songwriting mastery, Babyface penned hits like TLC’s “Baby, Baby, Baby,” Boyz II Men’s “End of the Road,” Whitney Houston’s “I’m Your Baby Tonight,” Bobby Brown’s “Every Little Step,” and Beyoncé’s “Best Thing I Never Had.”
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis: This legendary duo is behind timeless hits like Mary J. Blige’s “No More Drama,” New Edition’s “Can You Stand the Rain,” Cheryl Lynn’s “Encore,” and Janet Jackson’s “I Get Lonely.”
Missy Elliott: A trailblazer in her own right, Missy crafted R&B classics for Aaliyah (“If Your Girl Only Knew”), Mya (“My Love is Like…Wo”), 702 (“Where My Girls At”), and Jazmine Sullivan (“Need U Bad”).
Jermaine Dupri: Known for his impressive catalog, Jermaine wrote Usher’s “Burn,” Jagged Edge’s “Where the Party At,” and Mariah Carey’s “We Belong Together.”
Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson: This power couple gave us classics like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” Ray Charles’ “Let’s Go Get Stoned,” Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman,” and Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell’s “You’re All I Need to Get By.”
Curtis Mayfield: With a focus on social issues, Curtis wrote Aretha Franklin’s “Something He Can Feel,” The Staples Singers’ “Let’s Do It Again,” and The Impressions’ “People Get Ready.” His work continues to influence stars like Drake and Mary J. Blige.
The-Dream: Known for hits like “I Luv Your Girl,” The-Dream has also written tracks like Mariah Carey’s “Obsessed,” Usher’s “Moving Mountains,” Mary J. Blige’s “Just Fine,” and Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It).”
Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers: In addition to their hits like “Good Times,” they wrote timeless songs like Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family” and Diana Ross’s “I’m Coming Out.”
Bryan-Michael Cox: Bryan-Michael delivered R&B gems like Aaliyah’s “Come Over,” Chris Brown’s “Say Goodbye,” Jagged Edge’s “Let’s Get Married,” and Mariah Carey’s “Shake It Off.”
Stevie Wonder: A true legend, Stevie’s catalog includes “I Was Made to Love Her” and “Higher Ground.” He also wrote hits for others like Michael Jackson’s “I Can’t Help It” and Chaka Khan’s “Tell Me Something Good.”
Thom Bell: Known for soulful ballads, Thom crafted classics like The Delfonics’ “La-La Means I Love You” and The Spinners’ “I’ll Be Around.”
Mariah Carey: The Songbird Supreme wrote many of her hits, including “Hero,” “Always Be My Baby,” “Honey,” and “We Belong Together.”
Rodney Jerkins: Rodney shaped R&B with songs like Mary J. Blige’s “I Can Love You,” Destiny’s Child’s “Say My Name,” Whitney Houston’s “It’s Not Right, But It’s Okay,” and Brandy and Monica’s “The Boy is Mine.”
Dallas Austin: Dallas gave us Boyz II Men’s “Motownphilly,” Blu Cantrell’s “Hit ‘Em Up Style (Oops),” Monica’s “Don’t Take It Personal,” and TLC’s “Creep.”
Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff: This iconic duo produced hits like The O’Jays’ “Back Stabbers,” Billy Paul’s “Me and Mrs. Jones,” and Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes’ “If You Don’t Know Me By Now.”
Teddy Riley: Teddy wrote Guy’s “Let’s Chill,” Blackstreet’s “Don’t Leave Me,” and Michael Jackson’s “Remember the Time.”
Smokey Robinson: Known for his silky vocals and songwriting, Smokey’s hits include “Ooo Baby Baby” and “My Girl,” performed by The Temptations.
Michael Jackson: Known for his groundbreaking solo hits, Michael wrote “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” and “The Way You Make Me Feel,” among others.
LaShawn Daniels: A frequent collaborator of Rodney Jerkins, LaShawn co-wrote Destiny’s Child’s “Lose My Breath,” Tamar Braxton’s “Love and War,” and Toni Braxton’s “He Wasn’t Man Enough.”
Johnta Austin: Johnta wrote Tyrese’s “Sweet Lady,” Aaliyah’s “I Don’t Wanna,” and contributed to Mariah Carey’s album The Emancipation of Mimi, including hits like “It’s Like That” and “We Belong Together.”
These legendary songwriters created narratives that resonate with listeners across generations, capturing the essence of human experiences through soul-stirring lyrics and unforgettable melodies. Whether in love songs, empowerment anthems, or heartfelt ballads, their work has forever shaped the landscape of R&B.
