Last updated on January 8, 2026, updated twice a month.

Alternative R&B melds classic R&B with eclectic influences from genres like electronic, hip-hop, indie rock, and ambient music.

The list below ranks 20 recently released Alternative R&B songs in descending order of engagement over the last 30 days.

1 . Mariah The Scientist - Burning Blue

Details

Released on May 2, 2025, via Buckles Laboratories and Epic Records, “Burning Blue” threads fire-and-ice imagery through a stripped-back mix of soft percussion and sparse strings.

Mariah The Scientist leans into emotional contradiction, where intimacy borders on risk, and detachment feels warm.

The refrain “burning blue” suggests surrender that smolders rather than scorches—serene yet volatile.

It’s the lead single from her upcoming album, following “To Be Eaten Alive.”

Genres : alternative r&b

The music video is directed by Claire Bishara

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

25.38% / 0.74%

2 . Ravyn Lenae - Love Me Not

Details

“Love Me Not” brings together Ravyn Lenae‘s airy vocals and Rex Orange County’s boyish croon in a duet that treads the fine line between longing and detachment.

Released in October 2024 as part of “Bird’s Eye,” the song reflects Lenae’s evolving artistry following her 2022 debut, “Hypnos.”

With an ear for genre-blurring sounds, she blends R&B with electronic elements, a signature she’s honed since her “Moon Shoes” EP introduced her in 2015.

Genres : ,alternative r&b, indie soul

The music video is directed by Ravyn Lenae

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

27.39% / 1.77%

3 . Sevdaliza - Alibi (w/ Pabllo Vittar & Yseult)

Details

“”Alibi”” intertwines the voices of Sevdaliza, Pabllo Vittar, and Yseult, merging English, Portuguese, and French. Produced by Sevdaliza and Mathias Janmaat, it samples “”Rosa”” by Totó la Momposina, a Colombian hit rooted in Carnival tradition. With baile funk and reggaeton influences, the song weaves themes of feminine resilience and empowerment. The track quickly soared in popularity, reaching over 35 million streams in weeks and placing Pabllo Vittar as the second drag queen on the Billboard Hot 100.

Genres : Pop, R&B, Electronic,alternative r&b, escape room, persian electronic, dance pop, funk carioca, funk pop, pop lgbtq+ brasileira, pop nacional, french pop, nouvelle chanson francaise,

The music video is directed by Fernando Nogari

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

3.12% / 0.23%

4 . Mariah the Scientist, Kali Uchis - Is It a Crime

Details

On “Is It a Crime”, Mariah the Scientist enlists Kali Uchis for a three-minute exchange on tangled affections and blurred lines.

Released July 31, 2025, as the second single off her fourth album *Hearts Sold Separately*, it asks whether loving boldly—and repeatedly—is criminal behavior or just bad timing.

Matt1k and Nineteen85 provide a Latin-tinged shimmer, equal parts haze and restraint, where whispered vulnerability meets late-night confession.

The title tips its hat to Sade’s 1985 ballad, though there’s no sampling—just thematic déjà vu in a moodier frame.

Critics call it minimalist, emotional, and oddly catchy, which seems about right for a track hovering between sultry lament and subtle rebellion.

It follows “Burning Blue”, carrying Mariah’s momentum forward, albeit at a slower, more questioning pace.

Genres : alternative r&b

The music video is directed by Claire Bishara

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

120.46% / -4.61%

5 . Tinashe - Nasty

Details

Tinashe‘s “Nasty” channels her alter ego “Nasty Nashe” through suggestive lyrics over a minimalistic R&B beat, produced by Zack Sekoff and Ricky Reed. Inspired by a custom necklace she made, the song blends singing and rap as Tinashe seeks an equally bold partner. Viral on TikTok, it gained traction after a user’s dance video was shared widely. The desert-themed music video, directed by Jojo Gomez, portrays Tinashe as a futuristic figure pursued by robots, enhancing the song’s audacious energy.

Genres : R&B,alternative r&b

The music video is directed by Jonah Haber

Featured on the album Quantum Baby

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

4.56% / 0.43%
Details

In “2 You,” Mariah the Scientist explores themes of trust and vulnerability, portraying the emotional aftermath of a troubled relationship. Produced with Roark Bailey, the song’s lyrics reveal Mariah’s regrets and challenges in moving on. The track is characterized by its introspective tone, blending R&B with soulful elements.

Genres : R&B,alternative r&b

The music video is directed by Edgar Esteves and Jon Primo

Featured on the album To Be Eaten Alive

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

7.92% / 0.65%

7 . Lucky Daye - Over

Details

Lucky Daye‘s “Over,” produced by D’Mile, samples Musiq Soulchild’s “Halfcrazy.” The song digs into the anxiety and tension of an on-and-off relationship. The music video, featuring Jordyn Woods, captures the tumultuous nature of such connections. The track, platinum-certified, highlights Daye’s vulnerability amidst conflicting emotions of desire and restraint.

Genres : R&B,alternative r&b, r&b

The music video is directed by Machine Operated

Featured on the album Candydrip

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

2.82% / 0.26%

8 . Doechii - Denial Is A River

Details

“Denial Is A River” finds Doechii unpacking betrayal with a smirk, drawing from a 2019 relationship where her partner’s infidelity takes an unexpected turn.

The title nods to Wendy Williams’ infamous quip, setting the tone for a track that blends confessional storytelling with sharp wit.

A therapist-like voice interjects, turning the song into a tense dialogue dissecting fame, excess, and emotional self-sabotage.

The music video channels a ’90s sitcom aesthetic, with celebrity cameos including Zack Fox, Rickey Thompson, ScHoolboy Q, and SiR.

Following Doechii’s Grammy performance, the song gains momentum, adding another striking entry to her evolving discography.

Genres : hip-hop, rap, alternative r&b

The music video is directed by James Mackel & Carlos Acosta

Featured on the album Alligator Bites Never Heal

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

4.60% / 0.49%

9 . Joji - Past Won't Leave My Bed

Details

“Past Won’t Leave My Bed” gives Joji’s insomnia a face—hers, mostly—still etched on the walls like a stubborn mural of regret.

Muted melodies drift through a room shadowed by hallucinations and ghosts that clearly didn’t get the memo about moving on.

The track moves slow enough to feel like time’s folding back in on itself, much like the narrator’s thoughts, stuck on one endless rewind loop.

Efforts to outpace the past fizzle, and what’s left is a protagonist pacing around a haunted memory palace he can’t seem to evict.

Joji’s atmospheric production wraps it all in soft gloom, letting the melancholy linger just long enough to overstay its welcome—again.

Genres : social media pop, lo-fi, alternative r&b, viral pop

The music video is directed by Ethan Eng

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

10 . Mariah The Scientist - From A Woman

Details

Mariah The Scientist‘s “From A Woman” forms a lyrical pair with “From A Man” by Young Thug. Through introspective lyrics, Mariah explores emotional independence and self-assurance, addressing vulnerability and the complexities of love from a female perspective. The song’s haunting melody and candid lyrics draw listeners into Mariah’s world of introspection and resilience.

Genres : R&B,alternative r&b

The music video is directed by LEFF

Featured on the album To Be Eaten Alive

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

5.47% / 0.34%

11 . Sevdaliza - No Me Cansare (w/ Karol G)

Details

“No Me Cansaré” is an electrifying fusion that pairs Sevdaliza‘s genre-hopping eccentricity with Karol G’s unmistakable charisma.

The track thrives on a mix of alternative pop aesthetics and Latin rhythms, creating a hypnotic push-and-pull dynamic between the two voices.

Beneath its glimmering production lies a narrative rooted in unwavering love and self-determination, resonating with themes of female resilience.

Its Brazilian-shot video, directed by Willems Kantine, adds a sun-soaked visual layer that juxtaposes with the song’s emotional intensity.

Emerging from a shared moment at Rock in Rio for a crowd of 150,000, the collaboration feels as spontaneous as it is strategic.

While Sevdaliza‘s intricate arrangements offer emotional texture, Karol G injects an anthemic quality that ensures it sticks to the memory.

The production credits—Sevdaliza, Mathias Janmaat, and Frankie Scoca—layer lush beats with a deliberate rawness, avoiding over-polish.

It challenges typical genre boundaries without veering into the abstract, striking a balance between experimentation and accessibility.

Genres : R&B, Electronic, Latin,alternative r&b, persian electronic, reggaeton, reggaeton colombiano, urbano latino

The music video is directed by ILLEMSKANTIN

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

2.54% / 0.10%

12 . Ari Lennox - Pressure

Details

Ari Lennox‘s “Pressure,” produced by Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox, samples Shirley Brown’s “Blessed Is the Woman.” The song merges Motown soul with modern trap elements, with lyrics focusing on self-confidence and living authentically. The music video celebrates disco and soul divas, with a retro vibe reminiscent of icons like Diana Ross and Donna Summer. Certified Gold by the RIAA, “Pressure” became a defining hit in Lennox’s career.

Genres : R&B,alternative r&b

The music video is directed by Chandler Lass.

Featured on the album Age/Sex/Location

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

1.63% / 0.12%

13 . Ari Lennox, J. Cole - Shea Butter Baby

Details

“Shea Butter Baby” by Ari Lennox, featuring J. Cole, combines neo-soul and R&B in a track featured on the Creed II soundtrack. Produced by Elite and Shroom, the song’s lyrics explore themes of intimacy and passion, with shea butter symbolizing the sensual connection between lovers. The music video, set against a moody backdrop, mirrors the song’s warm and intimate tone.

Genres : R&B, Hip Hop,alternative r&b, conscious hip hop, hip hop, north carolina hip hop, rap

The music video is directed by Bennett Johnson

Featured on the album Shea Butter Baby

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

0.96% / 0.07%

14 . Teyana Taylor - Morning

Details

Teyana Taylor and Kehlani’s “Morning” explores desire and intimate connection through lush R&B, with production by Mixx, Tune Da Rula, and Louis Gold. The Def Jam track’s smooth ambiance and sensual lyrics add depth to the artists’ portrayals of romantic intensity and connection.

Genres : alternative r&b, hip pop, r&b, urban contemporary, pop, rap,alternative r&b, hip pop, r&b, urban contemporary, pop, rap

The music video is directed by Teyana Taylor

Featured on the album The Album

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

1.17% / 0.09%

15 . JADE - Church

Details

“Church” is lifted off the deluxe edition of JADE’s debut album *That’s Showbiz Baby! The Encore*, and ticks most of the expected boxes: polished pop, co-writers with streaming clout (Pablo Bowman, Sarah Hudson), and a gospel-tinged key change for those who like their catharsis mid-chorus.

It picks up the loosely autobiographical thread of “Angel of My Dreams,” but swaps personal mythmaking for a full-throated ode to her LGBTQIA+ fanbase.

The choir-style vocals and euphoric production frame a reimagined “church” as something far less sermon-heavy—more runway, less pew.

It’s not subtle, but then again, neither is drag, or pop for that matter.

Genres : electronic, Pop, R&B, contemporary r&b, girl group, downtempo, electronica, trip hop, alternative r&b, laboratorio, synthesizer, vintage french electronic

The music video is directed by @billy___king

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

16 . Young M.A - Went Legit Freestyle

Details

Fresh off Brooklyn pavement, “Went Legit Freestyle” surfaces in 2025 with Young M.A both behind the mic and the camera.

The self-directed video keeps it local—shot in her home borough—right where her bars first made noise.

It leans into her freestyle streak, a mode she’s been running since “Ooouuu” turned triple platinum.

Still unsigned, still sharp, she makes space for street-coded punchlines over stripped-back beats.

The visuals don’t try too hard—they just mirror the artist: uncompromised and exactly where she wants to be.

Remember the 2016 BET Hip Hop Awards? That freestyle wasn’t a detour; this is just the next stop on the same route.

The music video is directed by Young M.A / @shotbykns

>> More by the same : Website

12.14% / 0.48%

17 . Swedish House Mafia - Lioness (w/ Niki & The Dove)

Details

Dropping in June 2024, “Lioness” brings together Swedish House Mafia and Niki & The Dove in an electro-pop anthem teased by the trio in live shows. Its extended mixes and lush beats combine their signature sound with Niki & The Dove’s ethereal vocals, while remixes by Kevin De Vries and SLVR add fresh twists to this captivating release.

Genres : R&B, Pop, Hip Hop, Electronic, Latin,alternative r&b, persian electronic, dance pop, funk carioca, funk pop, pop lgbtq+ brasileira, pop nacional, french pop, r&b francais

The music video is directed by Joshua Teplitz

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

3.50% / 0.11%

18 . Adekunle Gold - Sinner

Details

Adekunle Gold releases “Sinner” in 2021 as a teaser for his album Catch Me If You Can.

Produced by Blaise Beatz, the song finds a mid-tempo groove that’s equal parts Afrobeat rhythm and R&B sway.

Nigerian-American singer Lucky Daye slips in for the guest spot, smoothing out an already sleek arrangement.

Gold’s sultry delivery melts over a guitar-led backdrop, betraying no rush to reach the chorus.

Call it one of his more internationally-minded moves—certainly among the smoother ones.

Genres : R&B, Pop, World/Traditional, Hip Hop,afrobeats, afropop, alte, azontobeats, nigerian hip hop, nigerian pop, alternative r&b, r&b,

The music video is directed by Magdalena Wosinska

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

2.53% / 0.18%

19 . Young M.A - Big

Details

Young M.A‘s “BIG,” produced by NY Bangers, is a confident anthem in the trap and hip-hop vein. The track’s lyrics reflect her openness about her sexuality, wealth, and self-assurance. With a melancholic melody, “BIG” emphasizes Young M.A‘s journey through success and her uncompromising style.

Genres : alternative r&b, lgbtq+ hip hop, nyc rap, rap, trap,alternative r&b, lgbtq+ hip hop, nyc rap, rap, trap

The music video is directed by Marc Diamond

Featured on the album Herstory in the Making

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

0.54% / 0.05%

20 . Sir - Hair Down (w/ Kendrick Lamar)

Details

“Hair Down” by SiR, featuring Kendrick Lamar, celebrates self-confidence amid life’s pressures. Produced by Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith, the song’s chill R&B and soul influences create a laid-back atmosphere, while Kendrick’s verse adds depth, reflecting on fame and authenticity. Filmed in Inglewood, the video highlights SiR‘s journey from his roots to the music world.

Genres : alternative r&b, la pop, conscious hip hop, hip hop, rap, west coast rap,alternative r&b, la pop, conscious hip hop, hip hop, rap, west coast rap

The music video is directed by Jack Beger

Featured on the album Chasing Summer

>> Lyrics >> More by the same : Website

1.23% / 0.09%

Mariah The Scientist continues to lead ALTERNATIVE R&B with “Burning Blue.” Ravyn Lenae and Sevdaliza remain in the Top 3, while “Is It a Crime” stays at No. 4. “2 You” and “From A Woman” sustain Mariah’s multiple entries. Sevdaliza’s “No Me Cansare” rises, and newcomers Young M.A with “Big” and SiR with “Hair Down” debut at Nos. 19 and 20.

Alternative R&B Chart - Top 20 Songs (Last 30 Days) on RadioVideo.Music


Modest disclaimer: These rankings combine data from our platform with external streaming metrics to highlight what’s resonating right now.

We don’t claim to be exhaustive, so it’s possible you won’t find a title you expected to see on this list. Sorry about that — these things happen.

Our aim with these rankings is not to provide a definitive measure but to offer a snapshot of trends that resonate with audiences today.

ABOUT ALTERNATIVE R&B

Alternative R&B: Definition

Alternative R&B, often referred to as Alt R&B, is a subgenre of contemporary R&B that emerges in the mid-2000s but gains a distinct identity and dedicated following by the 2020s.

Alt R&B reimagines traditional R&B with a deconstructionist approach, steering away from conventional love themes to delve into more personal, introspective territories.

Alternative R&B: Music

Musically, Alt R&B stands out with its unconventional and sometimes minimalist style. Ethereal melodies and layered vocal harmonies create a dreamy atmosphere, while rhythms borrow subtly from hip-hop, lending a fluid quality.

Beats are often languid, allowing the vocals space to breathe and lending the music an intimate feel. Minimalist instrumentation weaves acoustic and electronic sounds, frequently using analog synthesizers, reverb effects, and richly textured electric guitars.

In the 2020s, popular producers like Blake Slatkin, Arca, Mndsgn, and Kaytranada exemplify this hybrid approach, bridging retro and futuristic textures through organic beats and intricate soundscapes, often created with digital audio workstations (DAWs).

Alternative R&B: Words

Alt R&B lyrics typically explore personal and introspective themes, addressing emotional challenges, toxic relationships, mental health, alienation, and identity. Unlike traditional R&B, which often celebrates passionate romantic declarations, Alt R&B reveals nuanced and vulnerable personal stories.

A memorable excerpt from SZA’s “Garden (Say It Like Dat)” goes, “Lie to me and tell me that I look good, lie to me, lie to me, oh.” Here, she conveys the desire for approval, even when it’s superficial.

Another example is Brent Faiyaz’s “Hard to Love,” which reflects doubts about his capacity for genuine love. These songs evoke complex, often contradictory emotions that resonate deeply with contemporary audiences.

Alternative R&B: Key Record Labels

Here is a list of labels known to promote and produce Alt R&B:

ADJACENT GENRES

  • indie soul
  • trap queen
  • uk contemporary r&b
  • lgbtq+ hip hop
  • art pop
  • experimental r&b
  • hip hop
  • urban contemporary
  • neo soul
  • conscious hip hop