Where was this internet thing back in the so-called “good-ol-days” of rhythm and blues?
Can you imagine seeing Marvin Gaye clarifying the sexual innuendos contained in his legendary records?
What about waking up to see Usher and Justin Timberlake subtweet each other?
Or Anita Baker and Cheryl Lynn engaging in … O.K. some things may be too ridiculous for reality but you see where this is going.
Thanks to the internet, Jacquees lengthened the reach of his name when he decided to flat-out call himself “The King of R&B” because, fuck it.
Chalk it up to a slow news day or whatever but the “B.E.D.” singer’s comments ruffled a down factory worth of feathers; prompting everyone from Jamie Foxx to Trey Songz all the way back to Tank and Tyrese to offer up an opinion.
We here over at HipHopDX decided to huddle up to get down to the truth. While no one hopped on Quees’ troll bait, he did expose some interesting points.
This is our discussion.
Who’s The Reigning King Of R&B?
Trent Clark (HipHopDX Editor-In-Chief): Drake is never going to flat-out claim the R&B throne because then it will diminish the perception on his rapping.
Cherise Johnson (Three-Year HipHopDX Contributor): Does anyone think Jacquees has potential to be the king of R&B? The rest of the R&B boys are shook by his statement.
Riley Wallace (Two-Year HipHopDX Contributor): He has potential. I like his attitude — shaking shit up.
Cherise: But as much as people hate Chris Brown, it has to be him.
Riley: The thing with Jacquees is that he has lots of music. However, if we’re talking king, that implies a certain level of “success” should be achieved. So, like Cherise said, Chris is definitely that guy.
Dante Smith (HipHopDX Social Media Manager): When the last time Chris had a hit? Who really remembers that 45-track of an album?
Daniel Spielberger (One-Year HipHopDX Contributor): I’d say Chris Brown commercially, Frank Ocean artistically.
Riley: Frank Ocean is the R&B Andre 3000.
Cherise: “Party” was a huge single off that 45-track album. So was “Privacy” and “High End.” Chris’ past catalog and talent speak for itself. There’s no one out there today doing it like him on that level, period.
Dante: When you speak on the commercial level, what about The Weeknd?
Riley: You know what? I’m thinking pretty linear here. Weeknd is definitely in this convo.
Maybe we need to decide the criteria. Is it commercial success or just overall being the best?
Trent: Forget all of that. The KANG lets their ding-a-ling SWANG. Is The Weeknd really commanding the space like that? Did anyone “bow” to that last release?
R&B was lowkey wack in 2018. But anyway, I’m seeing Breezy and Abel. What about R. Kelly? Should we just go ahead and crown Drake?
Dante: No one in R&B has that same hold Drake does in rap. And Chris puts out quantity over quality.
Cherise: Do we have to mention R. Kelly? I would say the king would be someone who is dominating and owning the R&B male space. I think a different conversation could be had if we look at who has the potential to be that.
Daniel: 6LACK?
Riley: I mean, there’s Ty Dolla $ign. A few months ago, I wrote an editorial questioning if he was already a legend.
Daniel: Ty Dolla $ign for sure!
Riley: What about Daniel Caeser?
Cherise: Daniel is extremely talented but I don’t see people getting excited or pining to hear music from him. To be King I feel like you got to be able to get the people excited, he doesn’t do that.
I’m going to say if we’re talking the past year or so, King of R&B has to go to Ty Dolla Sign as Riley mentioned above. This conversation is depressing the more I try and think of people (Laughs). Maybe we don’t have one at all and the lane is wide open for someone to do their thing?
Daniel: Khalid? Post Malone? He’s genre fluid but definitely had a big year.
Cherise: Absolutely no to Post Malone. He doesn’t even want to be labeled Hip Hop. He’s not R&B at all. Khalid has potential but hasn’t proven himself in my opinion.
Daniel: I forgot about Post’s comments. What if its a list of up-and-comers and an acknowledgement of how ambiguous the genre has become? As pointed out, everyone is doing their own thing; each artist is excelling in their own lane. Drake is “dominating” but not acknowledging it for marketing. Ty Dolla $ign is dominating with features/work ethic? Khalid can make it as an up-and-comer? 6LACK’s album is worth mentioning/ suggests potential? Frank Ocean didn’t have a big year, but the rise of other artists this year like Brockhampton and Jaden Smith suggests a level of lasting influence?
Cherise: If they even want the crown, I suggest they get serious about R&B and give the people exactly what they want. I know these guys love the genre, and they should channel that love into their music. Jacquees and Ty$ are the only two doing that. Trey Songz is stuck in his Anticipation series but I wish he’d at least try to give us I Gotta Make It Part 2.
Dante: Have we forgotten about John Legend and Bruno Mars?
Riley: Bruno Mars has to be on this list for sure.
Cherise: Bruno Mars definitely has a seat at the table!
[Editor’s Note: During the discussion, John Legend tweets]
Trent: John Legend said exactly what I’ve been alluding to. I think the seat is vacated right now. There’s plenty of R&B royalty right now but no one undeniable force.
So y’all can stop with this participation trophy horseshit! (Laughs). Who has the crown? Who’s the muthafuckin’ Baratheon of R&B? It can’t be a new jack like Daniel Caesar, Jacquees or Khalid— those are princes. It doesn’t make sense to consider legends like John Legend, Usher or R. Kelly because they’re not actively pushing the culture forward anymore.
Ty$ has the hits and it’s probably the hardest working artist winner of 2018. But does it feel like he’s commanding the crown? Is anyone in this climate?
Riley: Ty$ seems like the closest. However, 15 years could derail that…
Trent: When it comes to Bruno. Isn’t he a better contender for reigning King of Pop? When it comes to Ty Dolla $ign, “legend” or not, I don’t feel like his “moment” has arrived yet. Chris Brown doesn’t have any classic album. And is The Weeknd really in that King’s Landing slot???
Are we all in agreeance there’s NO KING?
Riley: Not in my eyes.
Cherise: The lane is definitely wide open! R&B will be better next year cuz everyone is trying to prove themselves. I’m here for it.
Daniel: No king!
All hail the empty throne for the King of R&B!
Check out the official review for Jacquees’ most recent album, 4275, right here.
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Drake owns hiphop and R&B to keep it 100. He owns both lanes. Only Weeknd comes close
He does not own hip hop , your just groupies the fuck out.
I agree. It’s open. Drake raps too much to be considered r&b. Honestly male r&b is kinda on a low right now imo…
Trey Songz album was a flash of some good R n B…not great, good. I hope these cats ears are perked up now, and if this is what it takes for them to be inspired to make exceptional R n B again, then I’m all for it! Not Rap n B where they doing all that cursing either…you gon rap or sang? And how J Holiday washed up a$$ talking ish anyway? Ain’t had a hit since Larry Holmes…and he lookin flabby and sick too
#seewhatIdidthere?
The Weekend is King
Anderson Paak is coming for that Prince spot
Dude is nice… more James Brown than Prince though. Aftermath wasn’t the smartest move for his brand and demographic though.
The Weekend definitely worth a mention
Can say Jacquees is the one to check for our of the new breed of R&B I like his sound Now people gotta see the bigger vision !
R&B is dead. There is no king…….
The weeknd the king of R&B
He should’ve left that Dre train pass, he was doing fine on his own.
How do you leave Miguel out of the convo?
In terms of quality Miguel is king
Cb and august alsina are the only people that matter in 2018
Miguel, SiR, or Anderson .Paak could be here. R. Kelly is a legend in his own right but it sure feels shitty listening to him haha
Haha I’ll never not enjoy ‘The World’s Greatest’ in times of celebration. If you don’t peak to that song I can’t fucc with you lol
For this generation, the king has to be Chris Brown or Trey Songz. As for my generation, the king was R. Kelly. Dude has too many hits and he would still be on top today if he would’ve just stuck to music!!!!
Man there isn’t anyone in the genre close to being a “King” in the way D’Angelo or Usher were.
It’s simple… There isn’t a lot of great quality RnB right now. That’s a fact!
I’d say the last rnb project that I really LOVED was the debut by They.,called Nü Religion
Man that’s bs. We had to deal with absolute shit r&b since like 2000 D’Angelo but there’s been a renaissance the last like 6-7 years. It may be a little different than traditional r&b but it’s fire and there’s a crazy amount of talent. Maybe a shortage of timeless hits but that’s a result from modern ADD music consumption and greedy, high time preference music labels/artists. There will be a ton of crazy projects in 2019, that’s a fact!
Chris brown is the king hands down
R&b died even before hip hop did.
The Weeknd. Nobody fucking wit em
Action Bronson
Based on the best r&b album of recent memory it is Jeremih. No one has topped ‘Late Nights’ since it came out. But no King is a good answer. Ty Dolla is royalty too. So is Breezy but he can’t just get his act together and curate a good classic album. The Weeknd too and possibly the biggest depending your views/definition. Really don’t want to mention him too but if you factor in commercial and impact and everything Drake might deserve the King status but can’t sing to save his life comparably so I really can’t accept that and the rules/metrics are highly debatable so it’s just a toss up. That was a waste of time lol
Oh shit I completely forgot about him lol. He might get the crown or Breezy cause if we’re being real the ultimate factor/metric is who your girlfriend would cheat the easiest with hahal. Those 2 and trigga trey have caused the most relationship problems and that’s just keeping it real factual LOL
R&B has been killed and dead since 1998 or so. The solo artists are all terrible and there are no groups. There is no king what so ever just a bunch of non talented cats or dudes like Usher. lol
MC Ride
Maxwell. He sells out shows by himself.
There is no king in any genra. BUT i fux with BJ tha chicago Kid.