This is what I would consider my type of oldies! I am a 1999 baby (so pretty much 2000) so the jams in the early 2000’s are jams I listen to today. So enter my vortex of my favorite R&B oldies as a  Gen Z. 

Alicia Keys

Oh my goodness, I cannot tell you how crucial Alicia Keys has been in the R&B community and her impact as an artist. Everyone knows her music and if you are not sure, trust me you have. Alicia Keys was born in 1981 in New York. She is a winner of multiple Grammy singer-songwriter awards and her debut album Songs In The Mirror went platinum five times. Her most famous works, No One, If I Ain’t Got You, and a more recent bop, Girl On Fire are known around the world. She is known for her soft soul and heart, what is there not to like? 

Keyshia Cole 

Keyshia Cole is an icon in many eyes. She was born in 1981 in Oakland, CA. Bay area! My favorite jam by her is Love. While it is definitely repetitive it reminds me so much of R&B of that time period. She also is featured in Kehlani’s new single, All Me (highly recommend you listen to that song). All in all, when thinking about R&B music one cannot forget Keyshia Cole. 

India Arie 

When I think of India Arie, I think of an old soul of R&B. Her music is not the typical sound of R&B in the early 2000’s, but it had so much soul and personality behind it. India was born in 1975 in Colorado and has many Grammy Awards and about 23 nominations. She even won an award for best R&B artist, which is a major accomplishment in any artists career. She continues to be the best in her recent album, Worthy. India Arie continues to make accomplishments in the R&B industry. 

All and all, my top 3 female early 2000’s R&B artists were great singers then and are making new music today.