R&B Today

When it comes to R&B in the first decade of the 21st century, the lines between soul, pop, hip-hop, and dance have blurred beyond all recognition, offering countless possibilities for generic reinvention — and the stunning results can be heard right here, where stone-cold vocal talent meets cutting-edge production. Kanye West, heading up our selection, represents the whole package on "Love Lockdown", the first single from 2008's 808s & Heartbreak, and Rihanna joins T.I. on the glorious "Live Your Life." Brown & Sparks, Lloyd & Ludacris, Bow Wow & Soulja Boy . . . R&B becomes hook-up heaven in Next Steps.

Since arriving with his double-platinum debut in 2005, Chris Brown's R&B star has only continued to rise — here, he's joined by rapper T-Pain on "Kiss Kiss" and heads into earth-shaking ballad territory alongside American Idol winner Jordin Sparks with "No Air". Usher, whose worldwide sales have topped 35 million, continues to traverse the R&B stratosphere with 2008 releases like "Moving Mountains" and "Love In This Club" (the latter was his eighth U.S. #1). Barack Obama brings the best out of John Legend, in Deep Cuts.

What does a hardcore rap pioneer do when it's time to ring the changes? He segues to R&B, of course — check out LL Cool J, easy-flowin' through "Baby" with The-Dream, and Busta Rhymes building the mighty "We Made It" from layers of hard rock in alliance with Linkin Park. John Legend taps deep wells of purest soul on "If You're Out There", a song inspired by Barack Obama's ultimately triumphant run for the U.S. Presidency . . . an achievement that gave tracks like "Superstar" and "Hero" added poignancy in '08.

R&B today, 2009 A.D., is a ferment of talent and creativity, swirling around a vortex of innovation and collaboration. The harder edges of hip-hop have been smoothed by melody — check out the plaintive Lil Wayne hook that centres "My Life" by the Game, or the party groove of Akon's sweet celebration, "Dangerous", with Kardinal Offishall — and the past has been supercharged for the present, notably on Robin Thicke's elaborately orchestrated classic '70s throwback "Magic" and Duffy's reinvention of epic '60s soul, "Rain On Your Parade". Here you'll find divas, gangstas, soul boys, and independent women with cuts that bridge the gap between bedroom and dance floor, and between mean streets and luxury suites.