R&B Today

When it comes to contemporary 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 sizzlin' hot vocal talent meets cutting-edge production. Miami-born Jason Derülo (who has Haitian ancestry) harnesses a hard-edged, rock-driven crossover vibe as the souped-up vehicle for his international Number One, "In My Head", Tinie Tempah celebrates his wild lifestyle on "Pass Out", and tells us he's got so many clothes he keeps some in his aunt's house, and Chiddy Bang cranks up "Opposite of Adults".

The progeny of Motown finds its own voice, and Justin Bieber brings it, in Next Steps.

Los Angeles-based acronym-toting duo LMFAO may have had all the right connections — both Redfoo (Stefan Gordy) and Sky Blu (Skyler Gordy) are related to Motown founder Berry Gordy — but the pair nails it regardless on 2009's easy-flowin' "La La La", a great showcase for their retro-synth, party-starting talents. Canadian boy wonder Justin Bieber, a product of the Usher R&B grooming school who got noticed after his mum posted videos on YouTube, brings it like an old pro on "One Time", the first single from his debut album My World, and Chris Brown continues his post-Rihanna-scandal comeback with funked-up shape-shifter, "I Can Transform Ya", which pulls in the collab talents of Lil' Wayne and Swiss Beatz.

Rihanna hones her sharper edges, and Mayer Hawthorne keeps it sweet, in Deep Cuts.

Today's R&B continues to reveal its many shades and subtleties with Rihanna, whose 2009 release Rated R marked a huge shift in creative direction — where she formerly invited us to stand under her umb-er-ella, and gave us a hundred and one feelgood reasons to party, here she takes us to an altogether darker place with "Russian Roulette", a startling and passionate exposure of her beating heart. Far more lovey-dovey, despite the title, is "Just Ain't Gonna Work Out", the debut single from the multi-talented Mayer Hawthorne — singer, producer, rapper, DJ and, most impressively, soul man. Here, he channels a throwback R&B vibe so adeptly you'd think the days of vintage Motown had never ended.

R&B today is a sweet storm of talent and creativity, swirling around a vortex of innovation and collaboration — of all genres, it provides the most scope for invention, and provides a multitude of platforms on which vocal talent can shine. The harder edges of hip-hop have been smoothed by melody, grime has been spruced up and polished with pop, and the past has been supercharged and tuned up so that it belongs nowhere but the present. Here you'll find divas, gangstas, soul boys and independent women with cuts that bridge the gap between bedroom and dancefloor, between mean streets and luxury suites. So whether you want an electro-thumpin' club-banger, or something slower and more soulful, just click through to our definitive collection of the Essentials that truly define R&B Today.