Reggae R&B
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Reggae R&B pairs reggae and dancehall grooves with contemporary R&B singing, harmonies and songwriting — smooth sung leads over one-drop or dancehall riddims, lush keyboards, programmed drums and soulful runs. Tempos sit in a relaxed mid-range, and the offbeat skank cushions sweet, romantic toplines. Productions are silky and radio-clean. The mood is amorous, tender and soul-forward, reggae's rhythm meeting quiet-storm melody.
History
Jamaican and diaspora singers blended reggae with US R&B through the 1990s–2000s, with Diana King's 1995 "Shy Guy," Tanto Metro & Devonte's "Everyone Falls in Love" and Wayne Wonder's 2003 "No Letting Go" crossing into international R&B and pop charts. Producers softened dancehall riddims into R&B beds, and singers like Alaine carried the romantic style forward, while pop-R&B acts such as Sean Kingston folded reggae feels into hits. The style deepened reggae's romantic, soul-singing lineage for a contemporary audience.
Defining artists
Essential listening
Sources
- Billboard R&B and Hot 100 chart histories
- Steve Barrow & Peter Dalton, The Rough Guide to Reggae
- AllMusic artist biographies