Best 90s R&B albums

This album is a unique fusion of R&B, hip hop, and neo-soul, featuring introspective and socially conscious lyrics. It is one of the most acclaimed and best-selling albums of the decade, pioneering neo-soul and a source of inspiration for countless artists.

This classic album helped define the mid-90s R&B sound, with hits like 'Waterfalls' and 'Creep'. It was a coming-of-age project that inspired strength and feminism, and contains some of the decade's most memorable songs.

This debut album by D'Angelo was fundamental to the emergence of the neo-soul movement. It is a 90s R&B classic that showcased D'Angelo's exceptional songwriting, production, and vocal abilities.

Janet Jackson's sixth studio album explored deep themes such as sexuality, depression, and isolation. It is considered a musical masterpiece that influenced a generation of artists and laid the groundwork for alternative R&B.

This debut album by Erykah Badu defined the neo-soul sound with its laid-back style and fluid melodies. It sounds as fresh and relevant today as it did upon its release, being a fundamental pillar of the genre.

This album marked a shift in Mariah Carey's musical style, incorporating more hip hop and R&B influences, and showcasing her vocal versatility. It is a pivotal album in Mariah Carey's discography that solidified her as a creative force in R&B.

This conceptual album centers on a passionate romance, considered a pillar of neo-soul. It solidified the neo-soul subgenre's position in contemporary R&B with its sophisticated and sensual sound.

Considered the flagship album of Mary J. Blige's career, delving deep into the hip hop soul sound. It is a 90s R&B classic, a source of inspiration for a generation of artists, and a pioneer of hip hop soul.

This album showcased the group's vocal harmony and distinctive style, with a mix of R&B, soul, and pop. It is an influential new jack swing and R&B album that stood out for its sophistication and hits like 'Free Your Mind'.

Produced by Timbaland and Missy Elliott, this album established Aaliyah as an innovative figure in R&B. It stood out for Aaliyah's exceptional vocal abilities and her willingness to experiment with new sounds and styles.

This album showcased Whitney Houston's versatility in contemporary R&B, with notable collaborations. It is an acclaimed album that reaffirmed Whitney Houston's status as one of R&B's most important voices.

This solid album encapsulates the essence of 90s R&B, balancing ballads with rhythmic, hip hop-influenced tracks. It continued Usher's excellent commercial streak and stands out for its great production and magnificent vocals.

This album turned Boyz II Men into legends, with singles that dominated the Billboard charts. It is one of the best R&B albums ever recorded, defining a decade and being a crucial part of R&B history.

This album includes massive hits like 'Un-Break My Heart' and 'You're Makin' Me High'. It is a highly successful album that cemented Toni Braxton's career and is a benchmark for 90s R&B.

This album includes the mega-hit 'No Diggity', which became an anthem of the decade. It defined the sound of mid-90s R&B with its blend of vocal harmonies and hip hop production.