Top UK R&B Artists
List of Best British Female R&B Singers
Surprisingly, the music scene based around UK R&B artists has created something special of inspiring and motivating rhythm and blues artists, from Ella Mai to Jorja Smith to Mahalia, showcasing no shortage of talented British female R&B singers.
The U.K. has a long history of producing some of the most talented performers in the rhythm and blues and neo soul genres, such as Sade, Seal, Corinne Bailey Rae, Amy Winehouse, Mis-Teeq, Shola Ama, and Honeyz. It is evident that the U.K. has produced countless of gifted R&B artists.
As the world’s music industry is growing and expanding, along with black and urban cultures becoming more popularized and marketed to much wider audiences, British female R&B singers have emerged as leaders of music in the U.K.
Top British Female R&B Singers
Jorja Smith
Debut: 2016
Hometown: Walsall
Top Songs: “Be Honest,” “On My Mind,” “Blue Lights,” “The One,” “Teenage Fantasy,” “Little Things,” “By Any Means,” “Where Did I Go?,” and more.
Projects: Project 11 EP (2016), Lost & Found (2018), Right Back EP (2021), falling of flying (2023),
Jorja Smith debuted in 2016 with the EP Project 11. She quickly gained recognition for her unique voice and evocative songwriting, especially following her first major hits of “Blue Lights,” “Where Did I Go?,” and “Beautiful Little Fools.”
Her debut album, Lost & Found released in 2018, received critical acclaim and established her as a mainstay in R&B. Fresh off the release of the EP Be Right Back and the album falling or flying, Jorja Smith continues to grow.
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Ella Mai
Debut: 2016
Hometown: London
Top Songs: “Boo’d Up,” “Trip,” “Shot Clock,” “Naked,” “10,000 hours,” “DFMU,” “She Don’t,” and more.
Projects: Time (2016), Ella Mai (2018), Heart on My Sleeve (2023), 3 EP (2024)
While receiving much popularity in the States, Ella Mai first came into the limelight during the mid-2010s after signing with top hip-hop producer DJ Mustard.
She debuted with the EP Time in 2016 but skyrocketed to fame with her hit single “Boo’d Up” in 2018, which was part of her self-titled album released the same year. The song earned her a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song, cementing her status as a prominent name in R&B.
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Raye
Debut: 2015
Hometown: London
Top Songs: “Escapism,” “Regardless,” “Natalie Don’t,” “Cigarette,” “Decline,” “Black Mascara,” “Love of Your Life,” and more.
Projects: My 21st Century Blues,
Raye is a dynamic singer known for her pop and R&B tracks. Her music industry breakthrough came with the single “By Your Side” with Jonas Blue in 2016 and later with the 2017 hit “You Don’t Know Me” with Jax Jones.
She’s greatly known for her songwriting, having penned tracks for artists like Beyonce and Little Mix. Outside of features and songwriting, Raye has release popular tracks like “Escapism,” “Regardless,” “Cigarette,” “Natalie Don’t,” and more.
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Ella Eyre
Debut: 2013
Hometown: London
Top Songs: “We Don’t Have To Take Our Clothes Off,” “Deeper,” “Comeback,” “If I Go,” “Together,” “Good Times,”
Projects:
Ella Eyre is celebrated for her raspy vocals and a lively blend of R&B, pop, and soul. She came onto the scene with the hit “Deeper” in 2013, she quickly proved to be an artist to watch.
Her debut album Feline was released in 2015 and showcased that future was bright one of the most talented UK female R&B artists. The future is now, and now Ella Eyre has collaborated with top artists, like Kiana Ledé and Ty Dolla Sign, and close to dozen chart-topping hits.
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Olivia Dean
Debut: 2019
Hometown: London
Top Songs: “Echo,” “Dive,” “The Hardest Part,” “OK Love You Bye,” “Slowly,” “Reason To Stay,” “Ladies Room,” and more.
Projects: Messy (2023),
Olivia Dean’s music captures the essence of young love and real-life experiences. Her music draws listeners in with its warmth and inviting sound. Dean first made waves in the London music scene and has subsequently released several EPs that showcase her musical range.
With songs like “Ok Love You Bye,” “The Hardest Thing,” “Reasons To Stay,” “Echo,” and the album Messy, she has carved out a place for herself as a burgeoning talent within the UK’s vibrant music scene.
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Mahalia
Debut: 2012
Hometown: Leicester
Top Songs: “What You Did,” “Grateful,” “Simmer,” “I Wish I Missed My Ex,” “Do Not Disturb,” “Surprise Me,” “Jealous,” and more.
Projects: Diary of Me (2016), Love and Compromised (2019), IRL (2023),
Mahalia has been making waves with her heartfelt and down-to-earth approach to soul and R&B. She released her debut album Diary of Me in 2016 but reached new heights with her 2019 album Love and Compromise, and more recently 2023’s IRL.
Mahalia’s music exudes warmth and authenticity, and she has been nominated for awards such as the Brit Awards, included on various lists and platform, and has released several projects and hit songs that reach the top of the charts.
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Celeste
Debut: 2018
Hometown: London
Top Songs: “Strange,” “Love Is Black,” “Stop This Flame,” “Lately,” “Both Sides of the Moon,” and more.
Projects: Not Your Muse (2021),
Celeste has gained fans with her soulful, jazz-inflected sound. Her breakthrough came with the track “Strange” in 2019, following which she won the BBC Sound of 2020 and the Rising Star award at the Brit Awards.
Her debut album, Not Your Muse, released in 2021, reached the number one spot on the UK Albums Chart, and her timeless voice and songwriting signal her as a modern-day soul icon.
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Cleo Sol
Debut: 2011
Hometown: London
Top Songs: “Promises,” “Sunshine,” “Why Don’t You,” “Life Will Be,” “When I’m In Your Arms,” “Know That You Are Loved,” and more.
Projects: Rose In the Dark (2019), Mother (2021), Heaven (2023), Gold (2023),
Cleo Sol is known for her soulful voice and inspirational melody. Originally emerged years ago, before making her comeback as a solo artist with the 2017 hit song “Why Dont’ You.”
Arguably one of music’s most underrated and underappreciated artist, a voice that is both powerful and delicate, Cleo’s music offers a comfort to listeners. Since revamping her career as a solo artists, she has released four albums since 2020, Rose In The Dark, Mother, Heaven, and Gold.
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Lianne La Havas
Debut: 2011
Hometown: London
Top Songs: “Paper Thin,” “Can’t Fight,” “Unstoppable,” “Green & Gold,” “Bittersweet,” “Say a Little Prayer,” and “What You Don’t Do,” and more.
Projects: Is Your Love Big Enough? (2012), Lianne La Havas (2020)
Lianne La Havas is a folk and soul singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist whose music is noted for its velvety sound. Following her debut in the music world, La Havas’s breakthrough came with her 2012 album Is Your Love Big Enough? which won her the iTunes Album of The Year and a nomination for the BBC’s Sound of 2012.
Following releases, like the self-titled album, Lianne La Havas (2020), also received much praise. Known for hits like “Paper Thin,” “Can’t Fight,” “Unstoppable” and “What You Don’t Do,” her music blends soothing melodies with her deft guitar skills.
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Mae Muller
Debut: 2019
Hometown: London
Top Songs: “Better Days,” “I Wrote A Song,” “Therapist,” “I Just Came to Dance,” and more.
Projects: Sorry I’m Late (2023),
Mae Muller is one of the top up-and-coming British female R&B singers whose beginnings began with the 2018 release of “Jenny.” She has since landed the top of both the pop and R&B world of the UK.
Her candid lyrics and pop sensibilities make her a refreshing addition to UK’s world music, showcased on songs like “Better Days,” “I Wrote A Song,” “Therapist,” and her album Sorry I’m Late (2023).
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Arlo Parks
Debut: 2018
Hometown: London
Top Songs: “Hope,” “Eugene,” “Black Dog,” “Caroline,” “Too Good,” “Cola,” “Softly,” “Weightless,” and more.
Projects: Collapsed in Sunbeams (2021), My Soft Machine (2023),
Arlo Parks is a praised indie-pop and R&B sensation known for her poetically and velvety voice. She first stepped into the spotlight with her debut single “Cola” in 2018. Arlo quickly made her mark with the release of her critically acclaimed album Collapsed in Sunbeams.
The album went on to win the Mercury Prize for Album of the Year and also earned her the Brit Award for Breakthrough Artist. Some of her most loved songs include “Hurt”, “Caroline”, “Eugine,” and “Black Dog”, each showcasing her talent for crafting UK’s best music.
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Sinead Harnett
Debut: 2014
Hometown: North London
Top Songs: “If You Let Me,” “Unconditional,” “Rather Be With You,” “Body,” “Pulling Away,” “Want It With You,”
Projects: Chapter One (2017), Lessons In Love (2019), Ready Is Always Too Late (2021), Boundaries (2024)
With Irish-Thai heritage, Sinead Harnett became into the spotlight with her artistry in the early 2010s, featuring on tracks with several renowned artists. Her solo career has been steadily rising since her debut EP, Got Me, in 2013.
Harnett’s music, a blend of R&B, soul, and pop, has been well-received with songs like “If You Let Me,” “Rather Be With You,” “Unconditional,” and “Body.” She released her debut full-length album, Lessons in Love, in 2019 and sophomore project, Ready Is Always Too Late, in 2022.
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Joy Crookes
Debut: 2018
Hometown: North London
Top Songs: “If You Let Me,” “Unconditional,” “Rather Be With You,” “Body,” “Pulling Away,” “Want It With You,”
Projects: Skin (2021), Influence EP (2018), Reminiscence EP (2019), Perception EP (2019), Trouble EP
Joy Crookes is a singer-songwriter of Irish and Bangladeshi descent, whose music brings elements of soul, jazz, and modern pop to listeners, often characterized by her rich, deep tones and classic sound.
She came into the spotlight in 2017 with the EP Influence and then in 2019 with the EP Reminiscence. Her 2019 single “Don’t Let Me Down” solidified her status as a rising star. Her debut album Skin, released in 2021, only continued to highlight her as one of the most promising British female R&B singers.
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Greentea Peng
Debut: 2018
Hometown: Southeast London
Top Songs: “Mr. Sun,” “Hu Man,” “Nah It Ain’t The Same,” “Dingaling,” “Spells,” “Revolution,” “Look to Him,” and more.
Projects: Man Made (2021), Greenzone 108 (2022), Sensi EP (2018), Rising EP (2019), and more.
Greentea Peng is greatly known for her psychedelic take on neo-soul and R&B. Emerging in 2018 with the single “Moonchild,” Greentea Peng has resonated with listeners through her spiritual and healing lyric.
Her debut project SENSI was followed by the classic albums of Man Made in 2021 and GREENZONE 108 in 2022. Both projects showcased her commitment to sonic experimentation and her ability to weave together reggae, dub, and R&B influences.
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Izzy Bizu
Debut: 2015
Hometown: Southwest London
Top Songs: “White Tiger,” “Give Me Love,” “Mad Behaviour,” “Talking To You,” “
Projects: GLITA EP (2019), Goodbye Hello (2023), Don’t Have To Say (2023),
Izzy Bizu gained mainstream recognition in 2016 with her debut album A Moment of Madness. Her sound, marked by her light, airy vocals, merges R&B, soul, funk, and pop. Bizu won the BBC Music Introducing Artist of the Year Award in 2016 and was shortlisted for the BRITs Critics’ Choice Award.
Songs like her hit single “White Tiger” have displayed her ability to blend genres and give lively performances. She has solidified her status as a vibrant force among UK female R&B singers.
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*Unofficial Order. The more popular artists that have a combination of the most followers, streams, views, and most recent releases are near the top.
*If any artists are missing from the list email [email protected]