The ranking is based on performance across Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts, which measure sales, streaming and radio impact. Despite not appearing on Billboard until 2009 — nearly a decade into the period — Drake surged ahead through an unmatched run of chart-topping albums, blockbuster singles and high-profile collaborations.
By the end of 2024, the Toronto native had set records with 30 No. 1 hits on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and 15 No. 1 albums on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. In total, he logged 135 top 10 hits and 355 overall entries, far surpassing any other artist in the era. His albums, which have collectively spent 67 weeks at No. 1, remain perennial fixtures thanks to streaming strength.
Drake’s dominance has also been reflected in Billboard’s yearly recaps, where he ranked as the top R&B/hip-hop artist eight times — a feat unmatched by any other act. Those wins span from 2012 to 2024, underscoring his consistency and cultural impact over more than a decade.
The new chart is part of Billboard’s “Greatest of All Time” series, which highlights the most influential artists of the modern era. Alongside Drake, the list celebrates the biggest names who shaped R&B and hip-hop from the early 2000s to today, including Beyoncé, The Weeknd, Chris Brown, Usher, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, Rihanna, Eminem and Alicia Keys.
Billboard will continue its retrospective rollout this week with separate rankings spotlighting the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, Top Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and the Top Producers of the 21st Century, offering a deeper look at the artists and creators who have defined a generation of music.
Overview: Aubrey “Drake” Graham, hailing from Toronto, Canada, redefined the R&B/hip-hop landscape with his genre-blending versatility, emotional lyricism, and relentless output. Despite a late start—first appearing on Billboard charts in 2009—Drake’s dominance is unrivaled, earning him the title of Billboard’s top R&B/hip-hop artist of the 21st century.
Chart Achievements:
- Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: 30 No. 1s (a record), 135 top 10 hits, and 355 total chart entries, each the highest in the 2000-2024 period. Standout tracks include “One Dance” (featuring Wizkid and Kyla), “God’s Plan,” and “Hotline Bling.”
- Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: 15 No. 1 albums, totaling 67 weeks at the top. Key projects include Take Care (2011), Views (2016), and Scorpion (2018), with consistent streaming keeping them chart fixtures.
Annual Dominance: Topped Billboard’s year-end Top R&B/Hip-Hop Artists chart for a record eight years (2012, 2015-18, 2021-22, 2024).
Career Highlights: Drake’s ability to balance introspective R&B, pop-leaning hits, and raw hip-hop, often with quotable lyrics, made him a cultural force. His collaborative prowess—featuring on tracks with artists like Rihanna, Lil Wayne, and Future—amplified his reach. Albums like Nothing Was the Same (2013) and If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late (2015) showcased his evolution, while his OVO Sound label nurtured talents like PartyNextDoor. Drake’s influence extends beyond music, shaping social media trends and slang.
Impact: Drake’s seamless genre fusion and streaming-era dominance redefined success in R&B/hip-hop, making him a blueprint for modern artists. His record-breaking stats and cultural ubiquity cement his legacy as the era’s defining figure.
Overview: Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, a Houston native, transitioned from Destiny’s Child frontwoman to a global icon, earning the No. 2 spot and the highest-ranking woman on the chart. Her solo career, marked by vocal prowess and bold artistic shifts, redefined R&B’s boundaries.
Chart Achievements:
- Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: 10 No. 1s, including “Crazy in Love” (featuring Jay-Z), “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” and “Love on Top.” Her 49 chart entries reflect her hitmaking consistency.
- Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Eight No. 1 albums, from Dangerously in Love (2003) to Renaissance (2022), each showcasing distinct sonic and visual innovation.
Destiny’s Child Contributions: Early 2000s hits like “Say My Name” bolstered her chart activity, though the ranking focuses on her solo work.
Career Highlights: Beyoncé’s 2003 solo debut, Dangerously in Love, established her as a solo star, with “Crazy in Love” becoming a cultural touchstone. Albums like Lemonade (2016) and Cowboy Carter (2024) pushed creative boundaries, blending R&B with pop, country, and experimental sounds. Her unconventional release strategies, like the surprise drop of Beyoncé (2013), set industry trends. Beyond music, her work in film (Dreamgirls, The Lion King), philanthropy, and cultural advocacy elevated her influence.
Impact: Beyoncé’s evolution from group member to solo supernova mirrors Michael Jackson’s trajectory. Her ability to address personal and social themes while maintaining commercial dominance makes her a singular force in R&B.
Overview: Abel Tesfaye, known as The Weeknd, emerged from Toronto’s underground alt-R&B scene to become a global pop and R&B titan. His moody, cinematic sound and crossover appeal earned him the No. 3 spot.
Chart Achievements:
- Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: Nine No. 1s, including “The Hills,” “Can’t Feel My Face,” and “Starboy” (featuring Daft Punk). His 42 chart entries blend brooding R&B with pop accessibility.
- Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Eight No. 1s, starting with Trilogy (2012) and continuing through Dawn FM (2022). Every album since 2012 has hit No. 1.
Career Highlights: The Weeknd’s 2011 mixtapes (House of Balloons, Glass Dawn, Thursday) gained cult status before his mainstream breakthrough with Beauty Behind the Madness (2015). Collaborations with Drake, Ariana Grande, and Daft Punk broadened his reach. His 2020 Super Bowl halftime performance and the success of “Blinding Lights” cemented his pop dominance. His HBO series The Idol and acting roles showcase his multimedia ambitions.
Impact: The Weeknd’s fusion of dark R&B with pop and electronic elements reshaped the genre, influencing a wave of introspective artists. His consistent chart presence and global tours affirm his enduring relevance.
Overview: Virginia’s Chris Brown, known for his silky vocals and dynamic performances, has thrived across R&B’s evolving landscape since his 2005 debut, securing the No. 4 position.
Chart Achievements:
- Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: 43 top 10 hits, with 13 reaching No. 1, including “Run It!” and “No Guidance” (featuring Drake). His 76 chart entries reflect his versatility.
- Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Eight No. 1 albums among 12 top-three titles, including F.A.M.E. (2011) and Indigo (2019). His consistency spans ballads, pop, and trap-soul.
Career Highlights: Brown’s debut single “Run It!” topped the charts, marking him as a teen prodigy. Albums like Exclusive (2007) and Royalty (2015) showcased his adaptability across R&B subgenres. His collaborations with artists like Lil Wayne, Tyga, and Jordin Sparks highlight his sought-after status. Despite controversies, Brown’s output—over 13 albums and numerous mixtapes—demonstrates resilience.
Impact: Brown’s ability to navigate R&B’s shifts, from traditional to EDM-infused and trap-soul, underscores his longevity. His dance moves and hook-heavy features keep him a genre staple.
Overview: Atlanta’s Usher Raymond IV, a bridge between classic R&B and hip-hop’s rise, brought charisma and showmanship to the genre, landing at No. 5.
Chart Achievements:
- Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: 11 No. 1s, including “Yeah!” (featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris), “Burn,” and “Confessions Part II.” His 42 top 10 hits span 28 years.
- Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Eight top 10 albums, with Confessions (2004) a cultural juggernaut, spending nine weeks at No. 1.
Career Highlights: Usher’s Confessions album, with over 10 million copies sold in the U.S., remains a landmark, producing four No. 1 singles. His Vegas residencies, 2024 Super Bowl halftime show, and hits like “Good Good” (2023) with Summer Walker and 21 Savage highlight his staying power. Mentorship of artists like Justin Bieber further extends his influence.
Impact: Usher’s blend of Michael Jackson-esque performance energy and hip-hop swagger shaped modern R&B, making him a pivotal figure in the genre’s 21st-century evolution.
Overview: New Orleans’ Dwayne “Lil Wayne” Carter Jr., a Cash Money Records prodigy, became a hip-hop titan with his clever lyricism and prolific output, earning the No. 6 spot.
Chart Achievements:
- Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: 11 No. 1s, second only to Drake, with hits like “Lollipop” and “3 Peat.” His 89 chart entries include solo and featured roles.
- Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: 35 charted projects, including the Tha Carter series, with five No. 1s like Tha Carter III (2008).
Career Highlights: Wayne’s teenage start with the Hot Boys led to a solo explosion in the 2000s. Tha Carter III sold nearly 3 million copies, driven by hits like “Lollipop.” His mixtape run (Dedication, No Ceilings) and mentorship of Drake and Nicki Minaj via Young Money solidified his legacy. Recent releases like *Funeral* (2020) keep him relevant.
Impact: Wayne’s rapid-fire rhymes and genre-spanning collaborations made him a hip-hop cornerstone, influencing a generation of rappers and shaping the Young Money dynasty.
Overview: Brooklyn’s Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, a rap mogul and cultural titan, leveraged his lyrical prowess and business acumen to secure No. 7.
Chart Achievements:
- Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: Nine No. 1s and 133 chart entries, including “Empire State of Mind” (with Alicia Keys) and “’03 Bonnie & Clyde” (with Beyoncé).
- Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: 11 No. 1s, including The Blueprint (2001) and The Black Album (2003), with seven leaders from 2000-04.
Career Highlights: Jay-Z’s The Blueprint trilogy redefined hip-hop’s sound, blending soul samples with sharp lyricism. His Roc Nation empire, Roc-A-Fella Records, and collaborations with Kanye West (Watch the Throne) and Beyoncé expanded his influence. His ventures into streaming (Tidal) and philanthropy underscore his multifaceted legacy.
Impact: Jay-Z’s fusion of street narratives and mainstream appeal, paired with his entrepreneurial success, made him a blueprint for rappers balancing art and business.
Overview: Barbados-born Robyn “Rihanna” Fenty became a global superstar with her versatile catalog and bold persona, landing at No. 8.
Chart Achievements:
- Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: Eight No. 1s, including “Diamonds,” “Work” (featuring Drake), and “The Monster” (with Eminem). Her 55 chart entries span 2005-16.
- Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Five No. 1s, including *Good Girl Gone Bad (2007) and Anti (2016).
Career Highlights: Rihanna’s evolution from pop-R&B with “Pon de Replay” to genre-defying Anti showcased her range. Hits like “Umbrella” (with Jay-Z) and “We Found Love” (with Calvin Harris) dominated charts. Her Fenty Beauty brand, Savage x Fenty lingerie, and philanthropy via the Clara Lionel Foundation highlight her business savvy.
Impact: Rihanna’s ability to pivot across musical styles and build a fashion empire made her a cultural icon, influencing R&B’s pop crossover trend.
Overview: Detroit’s Marshall “Eminem” Mathers, a rap icon known for his technical skill and raw storytelling, ranks No. 9.
Chart Achievements:
- Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: One No. 1 (“The Monster” with Rihanna) and 41 chart entries, reflecting his hip-hop dominance.
- Top R&B/Hip-Hop Album: 10 No. 1s, including The Marshall Mathers LP (2000) and *Recovery* (2010), with all 12 albums in 2000-24 reaching the top three.
Career Highlights: Eminem’s The Slim Shady LP (1999) set the stage for his 2000s takeover, with The Marshall Mathers LP selling over 10 million copies. His Oscar-winning “Lose Yourself” and collaborations with Dr. Dre and 50 Cent cemented his legacy. Recent albums like The Death of Slim Shady (2024) show his continued relevance.
Impact: Eminem’s lyrical complexity and crossover success broadened hip-hop’s audience, proving rap’s storytelling potential on a global stage.
Overview: New York’s Alicia Keys, a singer-songwriter with a soulful voice and piano mastery, rounds out the top 10.
Chart Achievements:
- Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: Eight No. 1s, starting with “Fallin’” (2001), and 32 chart entries.
- Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Seven No. 1s, beginning with Songs in A Minor (2001), which sold over 6 million copies.
Career Highlights: Keys’ debut album established her as a neo-soul star, followed by hits like “If I Ain’t Got You” and The Diary of Alicia Keys (2003). Her Grammy hosting, Tony-winning musical Hell’s Kitchen, and advocacy for social justice highlight her versatility. Collaborations with Jay-Z and Usher further boosted her chart presence.
Impact: Keys’ blend of classical training and R&B authenticity revitalized neo-soul, inspiring artists to prioritize raw emotion and musicianship.
Additional Notes: Billboard’s rankings exclude pre-mid-1999 releases but include chart activity from such projects for artist calculations. Further coverage, including Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (August 27), Top Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (August 28), and Top Producers (August 29), is available in Billboard’s Greatest of All Time charts menu. These profiles reflect the artists’ monumental contributions to R&B and hip-hop, shaping the genre’s evolution over the past 25 years.