The Groove

The greatest contemporary r&b artists of all time

74 artists ranked by the Groove — music.nw’s own measure of renown. Not an opinion, a fact computed from the record. Why?

No. 1

Rihanna

United States of America · 1988– · pop

16.314

Why this number?

The full board · page 3

49 Tina Turner

Switzerland · 1939–2023 · pop rock 0.610

50 ZAYN

United Kingdom · 1993– · pop 0.567

Coldplay

United Kingdom · 1996– · alternative rock 0.557

Billie Eilish

United States of America · 2001– · alternative pop 0.524

53 Spice Girls

United Kingdom · 1994–2008 · pop 0.500

54 Tyler, The Creator

United States of America · 1991– · hip hop 0.489

Adele

United Kingdom · 1988– · pop 0.469

Post Malone

United States of America · 1995– · hip hop 0.450

Sia

Australia · 1975– · pop 0.445

58 Lionel Richie

United States of America · 1949– · pop 0.429

59 Lil Nas X

United States of America · 1999– · pop 0.398

JAY‐Z

United States of America · 1969– · hip hop 0.370

61 R. Kelly

United States of America · 1967– · pop rap 0.370

62 Arrested Development

United States of America · 1988– · hip hop 0.356

63 FKA twigs

United Kingdom · 1988– · art pop 0.347

Bad Bunny

Puerto Rico · 1994– · reggaeton 0.315

J Balvin

Colombia · 1985– · reggaeton 0.315

66 The Notorious B.I.G.

United States of America · 1972–1997 · hip hop 0.310

67 D’Angelo

United States of America · 1974–2025 · neo soul 0.300

68 Dua Lipa

United Kingdom · 1995– · dance-pop 0.273

69 21 Savage

United States of America · 1992– · hip hop 0.270

Missy Elliott

United States of America · 1971– · hip hop 0.257

2Pac

United States of America · 1971–1996 · hip hop 0.200

72 Gwen Stefani

United States of America · 1969– · pop 0.171