Billboard Names 50 Best R&B Groups: Gets #1 Right, But Snubs 5 Worthy Acts

Every so often, Billboard, Rolling Stone, or another publication releases an infamous "Greatest" or "Best" list, and that sends readers and social media into a tailspin. People will weigh in, either applauding the list or becoming outraged and calling into question the merits of the countdown. This brings us to Billboard's recently published "The 50 Best R&B Groups of All Time."

Billboard's new ranking in this music genre was completely put together by the publication's staff, and they deserve a lot of credit for their knowledge of music history. Outside of the expected groups like Destiny's Child, TLC, The Temptations, The Jackson 5, and Boyz II Men, there were some "lesser known," yet culturally impactful, groups on the list as well. We're talking The Time, Guy, The Whispers, and more. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the list was the fact that the Billboard staffers appropriately dubbed Earth, Wind & Fire as the best R&B group of all time.

With all that being said, as a lover of R&B music, I can't help but surprisingly notice a few acts were missing entirely. While I don't think these were intentional snubs on the part of the staffers, I still feel these groups were deserving of a spot among the top 50 R&B groups, although admittedly, I haven't given as much thought to who I'd bump off the current list to open up spaces. That being said, here are five groups worthy of a spot on Billboard's The 50 Best R&B Groups of All Time.

Jagged Edge

"Where the Party At!" Apparently, it's always been with the group Jagged Edge, as their signature single is their highest-charting track on the Billboard Hot 100 (at #3) and #1 hit on the R&B chart. But that's not their only hit. Through the late 90s and early 2000s, they created an Atlanta-based male R&B sound that saw them become quite successful. And before "Where the Party At," Brian Casey, Brandon Casey, Richard Wingo, and Kyle Norman released two previous R&B #1s in "Let's Get Married" (the original and remix with Reverend Run) and "Promise."

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention their ballad "I Gotta Be." While it didn't chart higher than #11 on the Billboard R&B, it's one of the best R&B ballads from a male group of the late 90s, proven by its lingering staying power in the genre's culture.

BLACKstreet

Perhaps because Teddy Riley's predecessor group, Guy, is on the list, BLACKstreet was left off. Especially when you consider their early work was influenced by Riley's New Jack Swing styling, heavily exemplified in Guy. However, BLACKstreet was still a huge deal in the 90s. Running back their top 10 Billboard R&B hits alone, you have "Before I Let You Go," "Take Me There," and of course, their Grammy-winning/chart-topping Billboard Hot 100 hit, "No Diggity." It's also worth mentioning they hopped on the remix of Janet Jackson's "I Get Lonely."

All members of BLACKstreet deserve credit for making the group legendary, to include: Chauncey "Black" Hannibal, Levi Little, Teddy Riley, Mark Middleton, Eric Williams, Dave Hollister, Joseph Stonestreet, and Terrell Phillips

Xscape

Xscape was music legend Jermaine Dupri's very first signed act to the iconic So So Def label. Kandi Burruss, Tameka Cottle, Tamika Scott, and LaTocha Scott came together to create an R&B sound and style that was uniquely their own and uniquely Atlanta. While their appearance was reminiscent of TLC in terms of clothing, they vocally harmonized more akin to En Vogue.

When looking at their #1 R&B Billboard hits, they have three: "Understanding," "Just Kickin' It," and "Who Can I Run To." And although it didn't top the R&B chart, a fan-favorite is also "My Little Secret." What makes the group extra special is the fact that they're still in ticketing demand, and they created hits where it's hard to imagine anyone else attempting to sing them.

Dru Hill

Most R&B heads, when they hear "Tell Me" by Dru Hill, feel compelled to do the group's infamous bounce, even if seated, and that was just the group's first hit. Woody, Nokio, Jazz, and Sisqó followed that up with a slew of uptempo songs and ballads that have made them household names for many millennials and beyond. From "In My Bed" (both the original and the remix) to "Never Make a Promise" to "We're Not Making Love No More," they have a slew of hits under their belt. In fact, their first seven singles sat within the top 10 on the Billboard R&B chart. Oh, and can we talk about the vocals of lead vocalists Sisqó and Jazz? They were superb.

Rose Royce

The 1970s were a time when R&B groups were truly thriving. The Isley Brothers, The Commodores, Earth, Wind & Fire, and others were having lots of success. Arguably, in the shadows of these larger groups was Rose Royce, but their position shouldn't be taken lightly. Gwen Dickey, Henry Garner, Terral "Terry" Santiel, Lequeint "Duke" Jobe, Michael Moore, Kenny Copeland, Kenji Brown, Freddie Dunn, and Victor Nix formed a soulful group that cranked out a few now-classics.

They're best known for hits like "Car Wash," "I Wanna Get Next to You," "I'm Going Down," "Ohh Boy," "Love Don't Live Here Anymore," and "Wishing on a Star." If these songs sound familiar, yet you've not heard of Rose Royce, it's likely because major artists have sampled Rose Royce or remade their songs. Just a few examples, Mary J. Blige famously remade "I'm Going Down," Faith Evans covered "Love Don't Live Here Anymore,' and Christina Aguilera and Missy Elliott retooled "Car Wash."

But what do you think? Are one, some, or all these groups deserving of a place among the best 50 R&B groups?

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This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published June 20, 2026 at 3:15 AM.