In the world of new-age R&B male singers, the talent is undeniable, but one factor that seems to be missing is the deep passion for their women.
In the 1990s and early 2000s, male R&B vocalists weren’t shy about letting their emotions show, often pleading for what they wanted. From Keith Sweat’s bedroom pleas to Boyz II Men’s smooth harmonies, these artists poured their hearts into ballads filled with romantic desperation. They weren’t just singing about devotion and affection; these singers were begging for it shamelessly and with a level of vulnerability that’s hard to find in today’s too-cool-for-school R&B acts.
The “begging” wasn’t just a vocal performance; it was theatrical, thanks to acts such as Keith Sweat and Tank. But as R&B evolved, so did its message. The openness of the 90s and early 2000s gave way to more confident, self-assured expressions of feelings, which is not exactly a bad thing but undoubtedly a noticeable change. In today’s R&B, men are far less likely to humble themselves on the track and express how badly they need their women. Instead, fresh “Toxic R&B” often takes center stage, and 21 Savage famously had an answer as to why this is.
“Y’all b****es some h**s now,” the Atlanta-raised musician responded. “Nobody singing to y’all. Everybody sell p**sy. Ain’t nobody to sing for,” he hilariously explained during a Rolling Stone interview in December 2023.
Singer Syleena Johnson recently claimed that the music of today was “watered down.” No matter the actual reason, it seems that the art of begging has become a thing of the past in R&B. Though we can appreciate today’s vibes, there’s something undeniably charming about earnest pleas that make us long for a time when male singers weren’t afraid to express their love unfiltered.
Tank – “Please Don’t Go”
Tyrese – “Sweet Lady”
Jodedi – “Cry for You”
Boyz II Men – “On Bended Knee”
Keith Sweat – “Make It Last Forever”
New Edition – “I’m Still in Love with You”
Tevin Campbell – “Can We Talk”
Dru Hill – “Tell Me”
Jagged Edge – “Walked Outta Heaven”
Blackstreet – “Before I Let You Go”
Ginuwine – “I’ll Do Anything/I’m Sorry”
