RTRRO

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1. Boyz II Men – “End of the Road” (1992)

This song broke records for a reason—13 weeks at number one? Unheard of back then. It wasn’t just a ballad. It was a moment. Four guys from Philly, matching suits, standing under a lonely streetlamp, pouring their souls out like they just lived through the breakup themselves. The video’s quiet desperation? You could feel it in their faces. That need to hold on, even when it’s over. We’ve all been there. Their harmonies? A force of nature—tenors pleading, bass resonant, every word hitting like a punch to the chest. And that spoken-word bridge? C’mon. You knew it by heart. Sang it into your pillow after a fight, mumbled it at prom when your date left early. This was the breakup anthem before breakup anthems were a thing.

2. Whitney Houston – “I Will Always Love You” (1992)

Yeah, it’s a Dolly Parton cover. But Whitney turned it into something epic. For The Bodyguard soundtrack, no less. The video’s simple, but man, does it hit. Her alone in an empty theater—regal, commanding, her voice bouncing off the walls. They mix in movie clips, so you can’t tell where Whitney ends and her character begins. Then the music swells. She stands. One spotlight. The world stops. That final a cappella note? Burned into our brains. Gives me goosebumps still. It’s a goodbye, but also a promise—love that doesn’t fade. And Whitney sang it with grace and power no one’s matched since.

3. TLC – “Creep” (1994)

TLC wasn’t just a girl group. They were a movement. T-Boz, Left Eye, Chilli—“crazy, sexy, cool” wasn’t just a slogan. It was who they were. “Creep” is that smooth, slinky song about cheating back. Iconic silk pajamas in the video? Total masterclass in effortless cool. They lounge, dance, swagger like they own the place—making a messy topic feel relatable… even a little fun. Left Eye hated the message, y’know? Threatened to put tape over her mouth in the video. She didn’t, but that dissent? Made the whole thing feel real. Warm colors, laid-back choreography—like you’re at their sleepover. T-Boz’s husky voice, those tight harmonies, that trumpet riff? Timeless. Messy situation, perfect song.

4. Mary J. Blige – “Real Love” (1992)

Mary burst onto the scene as the “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul,” and this was her coronation. That sample of Audio Two’s “Top Billin’”? Infectious. Raw. Nothing like the polished R&B of the time. The video gets it—backwards baseball cap, combat boots, hockey jersey. She wasn’t some perfect pop star. She was one of us. Dancing like she didn’t care who was watching, singing like she’d lived every word. “Real Love” was what we were all searching for—honest, no games. And Mary delivered it like she was telling you a secret over fries. You believed her.

5. Mariah Carey – “Fantasy” (1995)

Pure, bubbly joy.

It samples Tom Tom Club’s “Genius of Love.” Mariah made a pop-R&B bop. It feels like a perfect summer day.

She directed the video herself. She wanted it to fit the song’s carefree feel.

Filmed at Playland Amusement Park in NYC, right? She’s rollerblading. She’s on the Dragon Coaster. She’s laughing with a crowd.

Her laughter’s almost as catchy as the melody.

And Ol’ Dirty Bastard in the remix? Total curveball, but brilliant.

It gave that sweet fantasy a little grit. Only Mariah could bridge pop, R&B, and hip-hop like that.

6. SWV – “Weak” (1992)

Name a song that captures that dizzy, “I can’t think straight” feeling of a new crush. Go on. I’ll wait. “Weak” is it. Written by Brian Alexander Morgan about his own crush on Chanté Moore—you can feel that realness. Coko’s lead vocal? Starts as a tiny tremor, builds to this gospel-like crescendo. Exactly how falling in love feels—slow at first, then overwhelming. The video’s simple: a grand old house, them rehearsing, soft lighting. No flash. Just emotion front and center. Watching them sing, faces tight with that “oh no, I like them” feeling? It’s like looking at your 16-year-old self. Still makes your palms sweat.

7. Janet Jackson – “That’s the Way Love Goes” (1993)

Janet switched things up with this song. Gone were the heavy beats and social stuff. This was soft, mellow R&B. It pulls you into a warm, cozy spot.

The video? Directed by her husband back then, René Elizondo Jr. It feels like crashing the coolest friend’s hangout ever. Candle-lit loft. Janet’s totally natural. She’s dancing with a young Jennifer Lopez—wild, right? No over-the-top dance moves. Just vibes.

Her soft, breathy voice slides over that groovy beat. It’s seductive but nice. Mature. Bold. Exactly what you’d expect from an artist who’s on top.

8. En Vogue – “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It)” (1992)

En Vogue changed what girl groups could be with this song.

The vocals are strong. Their style is sharp. They’ve got tons of attitude.

It’s from Funky Divas. It’s a way to tell someone who doesn’t value you off—“you’re never gonna get it” gets repeated like a line you’d say over and over.

The music video is simple but stylish. Tight silver dresses. Black backdrop. They perform with grace and strength.

You can tell it’s inspired by “Big Spender” from Sweet Charity.

It feels confident. Sassy, too.

Their harmonies? Tight. That “goodbye” line? You won’t forget it.

It’s a song for every woman who’s ever said “enough.”

9. Aaliyah – “Are You That Somebody?” (1998)

Aaliyah always felt ahead of her time. This Timbaland-produced track (from Dr. Dolittle)? Game-changer. Futuristic, stuttering beats, her smooth, dreamy vocals. The video’s just as cool—cavernous cave, candles, her and dancers doing that cutting-edge choreo. Her look? Baggy pants, crop top, side-swept hair. Instantly iconic. That flamenco-inspired ending dance? Stunning. Showed she could do anything. Bold, artistic—proof she was one of a kind.

10. D’Angelo – “Brown Sugar” (1995)

D’Angelo started neo-soul with this one. Back to raw, organic classic soul—something R&B needed badly. The title track from his debut? Smooth, intoxicating, with a double meaning that’s cleverly hidden. The video’s simple: him at a piano, singing in a dim, smoky room. Vintage vibe, timeless. No flash. Just his talent—those soulful, raspy vocals, that piano playing. Breath of fresh air. Felt like finding an old record your parents loved, but making it new.

11. Montell Jordan – “This Is How We Do It” (1995)

The ultimate party anthem. That Slick Rick sample kicks in, and suddenly you’re at a West Coast Friday night cookout. Montell—tall, smooth voice—was the perfect host. Hype Williams directed the video: house party to packed club, all good times. Mid-90s party culture in a snapshot. Def Jam’s first R&B release, and it blew up. Crossed over big time. Still fills dance floors. You can’t hear it without grinning.

12. Usher – “You Make Me Wanna…” (1997)

This is when Usher became a superstar. Lead single from My Way—love triangle drama: wanting to leave your girlfriend for her best friend. Relatable? Maybe not great life choices, but that mid-tempo groove? Infectious. His smooth vocals? Perfect. The video? Bille Woodruff did that clever clone effect—Usher dancing in colorful rooms, sharp moves commanding the screen. Proved he was the total package: singer, dancer, star.

13. Ginuwine – “Pony” (1996)

Ginuwine’s debut? Daring. Overtly sexual. Pushed R&B’s boundaries. Timbaland’s beat—quirky, futuristic. His seductive vocals? Unforgettable. The video? Wild Western saloon, him and his crew rolling in, dancing like Michael Jackson. Cowboy vibes mixed with urban choreo—so different. Playful but provocative. Bold. Exactly the kind of intro that makes you remember a name.

14. Brandy & Monica – “The Boy Is Mine” (1998)

This duet was a cultural event. Two R&B princesses going head-to-head over a guy. Rumored real tension between them? Added drama that had everyone hooked. The video: Joseph Kahn put them in neighboring apartments, each arguing their case to Mekhi Phifer. Tension builds to a confrontation—one of the 90s’ most memorable videos. Became one of the decade’s biggest hits. Their voices together? Magic.

15. Blackstreet – “No Diggity” (feat. Dr. Dre & Queen Pen) (1996)

That Bill Withers sample. Teddy Riley’s production. Minimalist beat that sticks in your head. Laid-back, confident groove—perfect for their soulful vocals, Dr. Dre’s rap, Queen Pen’s verse. Hype Williams’ video? Stylish as hell: rainy neon streets, lavish parties, cinematic. Celebration of cool. R&B and hip-hop fused perfectly. Massive hit. Still sounds fresh.

16. Lauryn Hill – “Doo Wop (That Thing)” (1998)

After The Fugees, everyone waited for Lauryn’s first solo work.

This first single is powerful. It mixes classic soul and modern hip-hop. The message is about self-respect—for everyone.

The music video uses split screen. On one side, Lauryn’s in the 1960s doing doo-wop. On the other, she’s in a bright, busy setting now.

It won MTV’s Video of the Year.

It celebrates Black history. And it introduced one of music’s key voices.

17. Jodeci – “Freek’n You” (1995)

The “bad boys of R&B.” Gospel harmonies, edgy style. This song? Slow-burning, seductive. Lyrics that leave nothing to the imagination. DeVante Swing’s production? Atmospheric, passionate. Brett Ratner’s video: lavish rooms, supermodels, sleek and sensual. Pushed what R&B videos showed. Masters of the slow jam. No question.

18. Next – “Too Close” (1997)

This blew up for a reason—super catchy, and let’s be real, relatable. Dance floor dilemma: getting a little too excited while dancing with someone. That bouncy groove? Impossible not to move to. The video: late-90s club scene, guys vs. girls dance-off, smooth choreo. Fun, lighthearted, a little risqué. Perfect snapshot of the era’s party vibe. Still makes you snicker and dance.

19. Toni Braxton – “Un-Break My Heart” (1996)

Diane Warren wrote this—so you know it’s a dramatic ballad. Toni’s rich, husky voice? Perfect for that plea to fix a broken heart. The video? Cinematic soap opera. Bille Woodruff directed it: her lover (Tyson Beckford) dies in a motorcycle crash, flashbacks of happy times vs. her despair. Emotional. Visually stunning. Captures that gut-wrenching longing. You can feel her pain.

20. Boyz II Men – “I’ll Make Love to You” (1994)

If “End of the Road” was the breakup song, this was the love song. Babyface wrote it—tender, respectful, all about intimacy. Their harmonies? Flawless. The video: a woman gets a security system from a cute tech (Duane Martin). He sends her a letter—turns out it’s the song’s lyrics. Romantic evening follows. Sweet, not cheesy. Staple for couples everywhere. Still plays at weddings.

Let’s be real—this list is just scratching the surface. 90s R&B was endless, man. Did we skip your ride-or-die jam? The one you still blast in the car? Drop it in the comments. I need to update my playlist ASAP.