Last updated on January 8, 2026, updated twice a month.
Urban Contemporary, originating in Afro-American working-class neighborhoods, has evolved into a global genre, transcending cultural and social barriers while remaining faithful to its roots.
The list below ranks 20 recently released Urban Contemporary songs in descending order of engagement over the last 30 days.
1 . Shakira - ZooDetails 
  A bilingual pop track written by Shakira, Ed Sheeran, and Blake Slatkin, “Zoo” was created for *Zootopia 2* and sticks close to the dancefloor. The production leans on electronic guitar riffs and Latin percussion, delivering bounce without pretending to reinvent anything. Lyrics run on togetherness, love, and the right to be loud and odd, all summed up in the chorus: “We’re wild and we can’t be tamed, and we’re turning the floor into a zoo.” Mostly in English with a late-stage Spanish section, it plays as much on Shakira’s multilingual toolkit as on her animated alias Gazelle’s return to the screen. Genres : colombian pop, dance pop, latin pop, pop, reggaeton, reggaeton flow, trap boricua, trap latino, urbano latino, argentine trap, musica chihuahuense, puerto rican pop, rap, disco, freestyle, funk, minneapolis sound, new jack swing, quiet storm, rock drums, urban contemporary, latin, urban, african rock, afropop, kwaito, south african jazz, south african pop, south african pop dance, barbadian pop, rap kreyol The music video is directed by Jared Bush |
2 . Shakira - SolteraDetails
 Shakira‘s “Soltera” sashays onto the scene with pop-reggaetón flair and a celebratory swagger, fully aligned with her recent thematic pivot. The track beams like a neon sign in a Miami nightclub, unapologetically prioritizing self-liberation and the joys of singlehood over tired breakup narratives. The production leans into rhythmic Latin beats, ensuring it pulsates across club floors from Spain to Peru. The accompanying video, set in the raucous LIV Miami, pairs Shakira with a glitzy ensemble including Anitta and Danna Paola, cementing the song’s festival-like vibe. The final moments, where a chorus chants “Se pasa rico soltera,” give it an anthemic, communal twist, uniting women in a cheeky mantra of empowerment. Charting decently across platforms like Spotify and YouTube, its success shows a broad yet measured resonance among listeners worldwide. Despite its catchy appeal, one might notice a somewhat predictable approach, relying on reggaetón tropes that Shakira has mastered but rarely bends or reinvents here. Still, the track rides high on its energy rather than innovation, serving as a solid, if safe, addition to her expansive catalog. Genres : R&B, Hip Hop, Jazz,disco, freestyle, funk, minneapolis sound, new jack swing, quiet storm, rock drums, urban contemporary, , urbano latino The music video is directed by Jaume de la Iguana
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3 . Partynextdoor - No ChillDetails
 “No Chill” encapsulates a narrative of extravagant romance, weaving themes of luxury and personal introspection. PARTYNEXTDOOR reflects on his interactions with different individuals, ultimately spotlighting his admiration for a singular muse, described as the “star of the show.” Lavish symbols such as diamond gifts punctuate the narrative, emphasizing both the depth of his emotions and their consequences on their connection. Released in April 2024, “No Chill” merges modern R&B rhythms with a confessional lyrical approach, revealing the complexity of relationships through its sonic and thematic layers. Genres : R&B, Hip Hop,r&b, rap, urban contemporary The music video is directed by Edgar Daniel Featured on the album PND 4
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4 . Usher - Good GoodDetails
 Usher’s “Good Good,” featuring Summer Walker and 21 Savage, blends R&B, Atlanta bounce, and nostalgic 2000s elements under Mel & Mus’s production. The song examines the aftermath of a relationship where ex-partners remain amicable. Filmed at Atlanta’s Jackson Street Bridge, the video reached the Billboard Hot 100’s 25th spot, marking Usher’s return to the top 40. Walker and Savage offer perspectives on loyalty and post-relationship respect, presenting a mature take on handling the end of romantic connections. Genres : Hip Hop, R&B, Pop,atl hip hop, contemporary r&b, dance pop, pop, r&b, rap, south carolina hip hop, urban contemporary, hip hop The music video is directed by Warren Fu Featured on the album Coming Home
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5 . Wale - On Chill (w/ Jeremih)Details
 A reflective commentary on romantic complexities, “On Chill” merges Wale‘s introspective lyricism with Jeremih’s smooth vocals. Released in July 2019, the track samples Raphael Saadiq’s “Ask of You,” lending it a nostalgic R&B essence. It achieved significant chart success, becoming one of Wale‘s highest-performing singles since 2013. Genres : pop rap, r&b, rap, southern hip hop, trap, chicago rap, urban contemporary,pop rap, r&b, rap, southern hip hop, trap, chicago rap, urban contemporary The music video is directed by Daniel CZ Featured on the album Wow… That’s Crazy
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6 . Ciara - How We RollDetails
 “How We Roll” emerges as a celebratory anthem of passion and intimacy, with Ciara and Chris Brown delivering a rhythmic ode to connection and spontaneity. Released in August 2023, the track showcases vibrant R&B elements, highlighting moments of freedom and sensuality. Notable for its chart success, the single climbed to the 9th position on the US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, marking a career milestone for Ciara. A November remix featuring Lil Wayne adds an edgy twist, further cementing its appeal. Genres : Pop, R&B, Hip Hop,dance pop, hip pop, pop, r&b, urban contemporary, rap The music video is directed by Christian Breslauer Featured on the album How We Roll (Versions)
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7 . Clipse - So Be ItDetails
 “So Be It” previews Clipse’s upcoming album “Let God Sort Em Out,” set for release on July 11, 2025. It marks the duo’s return after 16 years, pairing Pharrell’s production—featuring Middle Eastern strings and reversed 808s—with clipped verses. Pusha T takes a swipe at Travis Scott, referencing “Utopia” and a past breakup, hinting at tensions from an incident at Louis Vuitton HQ. The hook, “So be it, so be it,” doubles down on themes of legacy and betrayal. Genres : hip hop, r&b, pop, alternative hip hop, hardcore hip hop, southern hip hop, virginia hip hop, contemporary r&b, hip pop, urban contemporary The music video is directed by Hannan Hussain Featured on the album Let God Sort Em Out
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8 . Kehlani - Out The WindowDetails
 Released on November 7, 2025 via Atlantic Records, “Out The Window” leans into Kehlani’s late-night R&B instincts with soft percussion, layered harmonies, and just enough strings to sound like they’ve time-traveled from 1997. The production, courtesy of Antonio Dixon and Khris Riddick-Tynes, serves up a dose of nostalgia that couches Kehlani’s plea for do-overs in a bed of velvet melancholy. Where her previous single “Folded” cut ties, here she’s asking politely—well, soulfully—not to be ghosted just yet. The lyrics weigh regret against accountability, with Kehlani owning her part in the wreckage and attempting CPR on whatever’s left of a relationship that’s halfway out the door. Genres : pop, r&b, rap, canadian pop, hip pop, urban contemporary, hip hop, pop rap, southern hip hop, trap, trap soul The music video is directed by Gabe Phoenix, Travis Colbert |
9 . GloRilla - I Luv Her (w/ T-Pain)Details
 GloRilla‘s 2024 single “I Luv Her,” featuring T-Pain, marks a notable collaboration in her repertoire, blending her sharp delivery with his signature vocal stylings. The track lands at number 70 on the charts, a testament to her expanding presence within contemporary hip-hop. Born Gloria Hallelujah Woods on July 28, 1999, in Memphis, Tennessee, GloRilla‘s career began in the church choir at just five years old before transitioning into rap, shaped by influences such as Chief Keef. Her breakthrough came with 2022’s “F.N.F. (Let’s Go),” produced by Hitkidd, positioning her as a rising force in the genre. As the first female artist signed to Yo Gotti’s label CMG, GloRilla has graced stages at high-profile events like the 2022 MTV VMAs and boasts Grammy-level recognition. With prior successes like “Tomorrow 2” and “Wanna Be,” “I Luv Her” reinforces her chart-topping trajectory while illuminating her dynamic artistry. Genres : Pop, Hip Hop, R&B,southern hip hop, dance pop, gangster rap, hip hop, pop rap, r&b, rap, trap, urban contemporary The music video is directed by Benny Boom
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10 . Rihanna - Lift Me Up - From Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - Music From And Inspired ByDetails
 Barbadian singer Rihanna marks her return with “Lift Me Up,” released on October 28, 2022, as the lead single from the *Black Panther: Wakanda Forever* soundtrack. This haunting R&B ballad, co-written by Rihanna, Nigerian artist Tems, and director Ryan Coogler, is produced by Swedish composer Ludwig Göransson, who also scores the film. A tribute to Chadwick Boseman, the song encapsulates loss with a tender poignancy, recorded across five countries and peppered with lyrics evoking a comforting embrace. It debuts at number two on the *Billboard* Hot 100, securing nominations at the 95th Academy Awards and the 80th Golden Globe Awards. Winning Best Original Song at the 13th Hollywood Music in Media Awards and Best Song at the 2023 African-American Film Critics Association, it underscores its emotional resonance. The music video, directed by Autumn Durald Arkapaw, juxtaposes Rihanna‘s serene presence on a desolate beach with film scenes, amplifying the track’s reflective tone. Her 95th Academy Awards performance on March 12, 2023, leaves audiences captivated by its heartfelt delivery, a testament to her emotive vocal prowess. Genres : Pop, Hip Hop,barbadian pop, pop, urban contemporary The music video is directed by Autumn Durald Arkapaw
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11 . GloRilla - MarchDetails
 “March” hits the ground stomping with GloRilla’s cutting drawl set against blaring brass and heavyweight drums, courtesy of Go Grizzly and B100. The production channels marching-band theatrics straight from an HBCU halftime, swapping snares for swagger and tubas for bravado. Lyrically, GloRilla comes out swinging, brushing aside pretenders with clipped put-downs and threats wrapped in quotable punchlines. It’s loud, charged, and meant to rattle tailgates or step shows, a sonic flex sculpture built to showcase Big Glo’s unfiltered confidence and Memphis edge. Genres : southern hip hop, hip-hop, rap, atl hip hop, trap, brooklyn drill, new york drill, chicago drill, chicago rap, drill, hip hop, dance pop, gangster rap, pop rap, r&b, urban contemporary, houston rap, pop, trap queen, memphis hip hop, tennessee hip hop The music video is directed by Troy Roscoe |
12 . Christina Aguilera - My Favorite ThingsDetails
 Christina Aguilera’s “My Favorite Things” (Live from the Eiffel Tower) is a 2025 holiday single shaped around the Rodgers and Hammerstein standard from *The Sound of Music*. Recorded on a terrace above the Musée du Quai Branly with Paris lit like a postcard, it’s the opening number of her concert film *Christina Aguilera: Christmas in Paris*. Orchestration leans theatrical, lush and showy enough to wrap around visuals of snowflakes, mittens, and silver winters without missing a beat. Aguilera sings with typical force and embellishment, somewhere between Broadway polish and Cabaret flair, never straying far from her pop-diva home base. The track draws a straight line back to her 2000 Christmas album, with enough vintage heat to warm up a very modern rooftop performance. Genres : dance pop, pop, art pop, folktronica, freak folk, new weird america, latin pop, latin viral pop, pop argentino, east coast hip hop, hardcore hip hop, new jersey rap, wu fam, hip hop, hip pop, pop rap, r&b, rap, southern hip hop, trap queen, urban contemporary, contemporary r&b, post-teen pop The music video is directed by Sam Wrench |
13 . Jung Kook, Usher - Standing Next To You [Usher Remix]Details
 A collaborative R&B piece, this remix of Jung Kook’s original “Standing Next to You” features Usher, blending their vocal strengths into a harmonious dialogue about enduring love. Produced by Cirkut and Andrew Watt, the remix premiered in December 2023, shortly after the track’s initial release as part of Jung Kook’s album “Golden.” The song exudes sentiments of stability and partnership, enhanced by Usher’s soulful contribution, solidifying its position as a standout in the evolving landscape of cross-genre collaborations. Genres : Hip Hop, R&B, Pop,k-pop, atl hip hop, contemporary r&b, dance pop, pop, r&b, rap, south carolina hip hop, urban contemporary The music video is directed by Yong Seok Choi Featured on the album Coming Home
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14 . T-Pain - I Like DatDetails
 A refreshing nod to nostalgia, “I Like Dat” revives the energy of T-Pain‘s 2007 hit “Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin’),” reimagined in collaboration with Kehlani. The track, released in May 2021, blends doo-wop stylings with contemporary flair. Set in a Western-inspired music video, T-Pain and Kehlani portray dynamic, entrepreneurial characters, echoing themes of partnership and resilience. A remix featuring rapper Bia expands the track’s versatility, underscoring its place in modern R&B. Genres : Pop, Hip Hop, R&B,dance pop, gangster rap, hip hop, pop rap, r&b, rap, southern hip hop, trap, urban contemporary, pop The music video is directed by Christian Breslauer
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15 . Jeremih - Wait On It (w/ Bryson Tiller & Chris Brown)Details
 Jeremih‘s “Wait On It,” featuring Bryson Tiller and Chris Brown, unfolds as a sonic narrative of romantic pursuit, underlined by Retro Future and Cássio’s smooth production. Released in June 2024 under Late Nights Records, the song marked Jeremih‘s first major release post-Def Jam exit. The music video vividly portrays a shared past and present connection, with each artist weaving their storylines around a central muse, symbolizing love’s enduring complexity. Genres : Hip Hop, R&B,chicago rap, pop rap, r&b, southern hip hop, trap, urban contemporary, kentucky hip hop, rap The music video is directed by BenMarc
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16 . Ne-Yo - U 2 LuvDetails
 Ne-Yo and Jeremih’s “U 2 Luv” intertwines retro elements from Mtume’s “Juicy Fruit” and Zapp’s “Computer Love” into a contemporary R&B framework. Released in May 2020, the track blends themes of intimacy and romance, framed within a roller-skating rink and cozy home setting in its music video. With its classic influences and relatable themes, the single marked a prominent return for Ne-Yo on the charts. Genres : Hip Hop, Pop, R&B,dance pop, pop, r&b, urban contemporary, chicago rap, pop rap, southern hip hop, trap The music video is directed by Chad Tennies
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17 . Ciara, Diamond Platnumz - LowDetails
 “Low” pairs Ciara with Tanzanian star Diamond Platnumz on a beat that knows exactly how polished it wants to be. The track appears on the deluxe edition of Ciara’s 2025 album “CiCi,” sliding in with both eyes on the global playlist. Ebenezer Fabiyi and Blaq Tuxedo share production duties, letting R&B smoothness rub shoulders with Afropop rhythm without either calling shotgun. Ciara croons; Diamond Platnumz answers in Swahili; the result is part rhythmic exercise, part long-distance call. No heavy lifting on the lyric sheet—just enough mood to suggest a party that might extend past the second verse. The video keeps pace, matching the simmering chemistry with visuals that don’t try too hard but get the message across. Genres : dance pop, hip pop, pop, r&b, urban contemporary, rap The music video is directed by Sammy Rawal
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18 . Tory Lanez, T-Pain - Jerry SprungerDetails
 A vibrant homage to early 2000s aesthetics, “Jerry Sprunger” integrates the essence of T-Pain’s 2005 classic “I’m Sprung,” reimagined through Tory Lanez‘s lens. Released in November 2019, the song juxtaposes modern hip-hop with nostalgic elements, underscored by visual imagery of backyard gatherings and retro fashion. Platinum-certified in the U.S., it serves as a playful nod to cultural icons like Jerry Springer, encapsulating both eras in a cohesive, energetic sound. Genres : canadian hip hop, canadian trap, melodic rap, pop rap, r&b, rap, trap, dance pop, gangster rap, hip hop, southern hip hop, urban contemporary,canadian hip hop, canadian trap, melodic rap, pop rap, r&b, rap, trap, dance pop, gangster rap, hip hop, southern hip hop, urban contemporary The music video is directed by Mid Jordan, Tory Lanez Featured on the album Chixtape 5
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19 . John Legend - You Deserve It AllDetails
 John Legend‘s “You Deserve It All” emerges as a festive anthem born from a powerhouse collaboration with Grammy-winning Meghan Trainor and Raphael Saadiq. Dropping in 2021, this holiday track heralds Legend’s partnership with LG SIGNATURE, doubling as a tribute to those navigating a tumultuous year. Lyrics brim with the delight of giving, all wrapped in holiday cheer, luxury, and a sly romantic flair. Renowned for projects like “Get Lifted,” “Once Again,” “Evolver,” and “A Legendary Christmas,” Legend fuses his decades-long expertise and collaborations with Kanye West, Lauryn Hill, and Common seamlessly into this tune. Genres : R&B, Pop, Hip Hop,neo soul, pop, pop soul, urban contemporary The music video is directed by Drew Kirsch
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20 . Clipse, Pusha T & Malice & Stove God Cooks - F.I.C.O.Details
 “F.I.C.O.” ushers in the return of Clipse—Pusha T and Malice—reunited over one of Pharrell Williams’ more stripped, almost skeletal beats. Joined by Stove God Cooks, they stick to tightly coiled street talk, swinging between pop culture nods and tales of past survival. The production keeps things cinematic without the orchestra—just percussion, tension, and space to breathe. Stove God handles the hook with a coarse edge, a bruised chant that circles the verses. It’s hard-nosed, not nostalgic—the duo trades bars like veterans who never left the table in the first place. Genres : hip hop, r&b, pop, alternative hip hop, hardcore hip hop, southern hip hop, virginia hip hop, contemporary r&b, hip pop, urban contemporary The music video is directed by Hannan Hussain |
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.
Shakira’s “Zoo” remains at No. 1 on URBAN CONTEMPORARY, with “Soltera” in second place. Partynextdoor’s “No Chill” continues at No. 3, followed by Usher’s “Good Good.” GloRilla’s “I Luv Her” featuring T-Pain enters the Top 10, while John Legend and Clipse maintain lower placements, anchoring a week of measured consistency.