This page lists the winners and nominees for the Billboard Music Award for Top R&B Artist. This category was one of the first created and has been given out since the award’s conception in 1990. R. Kelly holds the record for most wins in this category with four.
Winners and nominees
Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold.
1990s
| Year | Artist | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Janet Jackson | [1] |
| 1991 | Whitney Houston | [2] |
| 1992 | Jodeci | [3] |
| R. Kelly and Public Announcement | ||
| LeVert | ||
| Michael Jackson | ||
| 1993 | Dr. Dre | [4] |
| Janet Jackson | ||
| Silk | ||
| SWV | ||
| 1994 | R. Kelly | [5] |
| Babyface | ||
| Toni Braxton | ||
| Tevin Campbell | ||
| 1995 | TLC | [6] |
| Boyz II Men | ||
| Brandy | ||
| The Notorious B.I.G. | ||
| 1996 | R. Kelly | [7] |
| Mariah Carey | ||
| LL Cool J | ||
| Monica | ||
| 1997 | Dru Hill | [8] |
| 112 | ||
| Toni Braxton | ||
| Tupac Shakur | ||
| 1998 | Usher | [9] |
| Jon B. | ||
| Mase | ||
| Next | ||
| 1999 | R. Kelly | [10] |
| Faith Evans | ||
| Lauryn Hill | ||
| Jay Z |
2000s
| Year | Artist | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Sisqó | [11] |
| 2001 | R. Kelly | [12] |
| Ja Rule | ||
| Jay Z | ||
| Musiq | ||
| 2002 | Ashanti | [13] |
| B2K | ||
| Clipse | ||
| Tweet | ||
| 2003 | 50 Cent | [14] |
| Aaliyah | ||
| Jay Z | ||
| R. Kelly | ||
| 2004 | Usher | [15] |
| R. Kelly | ||
| Alicia Keys | ||
| Kanye West | ||
| 2005 | 50 Cent | [16] |
| Mariah Carey | ||
| Destiny’s Child | ||
| Fantasia | ||
| 2006 | Mary J. Blige | [17] |
| Jamie Foxx | ||
| Ne-Yo | ||
| T.I. | ||
| 2007–09 | N/a | |
2010s
2020s
Multiple wins and nominations
Wins
|
4 wins 3 wins |
2 wins
|
Nominations
| 9 nominations
8 nominations 7 nominations 6 nominations 5 nominations 4 nominations 3 nominations |
2 nominations
|
References
- ^ “Janet Jackson wins eight honors including Top R&B artist, R&B albums artist, R&B singles artist and Hot 100 Singles Artist”. Latimes.com. November 27, 1990. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
- ^ “1991 Billboard Music Awards”. Awards and Winners. Retrieved October 19, 2016.
- ^ “1992 Billboard Music Awards”. Awards and Winners. Retrieved October 19, 2016.
- ^ “1993 Billboard Music Awards”. Awards and Winners. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
- ^ “1994 Billboard Music Awards”. Awards and Winners. Archived from the original on April 6, 2019. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
- ^ “1995 Billboard Music Awards”. Awards and Winners. Archived from the original on March 7, 2019. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
- ^ “1996 Billboard Music Awards”. Awards and Winners. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
- ^ “1997 Billboard Music Awards”. Awards and Winners. Archived from the original on April 6, 2019. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
- ^ “1998 Billboard Music Awards”. Awards and Winners. Archived from the original on May 13, 2014. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
- ^ “1999 Billboard Music Awards”. Awards and Winners. Archived from the original on April 6, 2019. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
- ^ “2000 Billboard Music Awards”. Awards and Winners. Archived from the original on April 6, 2019. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
- ^ “2001 Billboard Music Awards”. Awards and Winners. Archived from the original on April 6, 2019. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
- ^ “2002 Billboard Music Awards”. Awards and Winners. Archived from the original on July 15, 2015. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
- ^ “2003 Billboard Music Awards”. Awards and Winners. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
- ^ “2004 Billboard Music Awards”. Awards and Winners. Archived from the original on April 6, 2019. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
- ^ “2005 Billboard Music Awards”. Awards and Winners. Archived from the original on April 6, 2019. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
- ^ “2006 Billboard Music Awards”. Awards and Winners. Archived from the original on April 6, 2019. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
- ^ “2011 Billboard Music Awards”. Awards and Winners. Archived from the original on April 6, 2019. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
- ^ “Adele Wins 12 Gongs at Billboard Music Awards 2012”. MTV. 21 May 2012. Archived from the original on May 24, 2012. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
- ^ “Billboard Music Awards 2013: The Complete Winners List”. MTV. May 19, 2013. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014.
- ^ “Billboard Music Awards: Full Winners List”. The Hollywood Reporter. May 18, 2014. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
- ^ “2015 Billboard Music Awards”. Variety. May 17, 2015. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
- ^ “2016 Billboard Music Awards”. Billboard.com. May 22, 2016. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
- ^ “Here is the Complete List of Winners from the 2017 Billboard Music Awards”. Billboard.
- ^ “Here Are All the Winners From the 2018 Billboard Music Awards”. Billboard. May 20, 2018. Archived from the original on January 28, 2026. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
- ^ Lynch, Joe (May 1, 2019). “2019 Billboard Music Awards Winners: The Complete List”. Billboard. Archived from the original on 28 Jan 2026.
- ^ Nakamura, Reid (October 15, 2020). “2020 Billboard Music Awards: Complete Winners List”. TheWrap. Archived from the original on August 3, 2025. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
- ^ Warner, Denise (May 23, 2021). “Here Are All the Winners From the 2021 Billboard Music Awards”. Billboard. Archived from the original on May 23, 2021.
- ^ ““Little Miss Flint” Mari Copeny To Receive Award at 2022 Billboard Music Awards”. BET.com. May 6, 2022. Archived from the original on May 6, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
- ^ Atkinson, Katie (2023-11-20). “Billboard Music Awards 2023 Winners: Full List”. Billboard. Archived from the original on January 5, 2026. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
- ^ Atkinson, Katie (2024-12-13). “Here Are the 2024 Billboard Music Awards Winners: Full List”. Billboard. Archived from the original on December 13, 2024. Retrieved 2024-12-13.