You Won’t Believe Which Pop Stars Started as R&B Artists

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May 2

R&B has been quietly shaping mainstream music for decades. Some of the biggest names dominating the pop charts today didn’t begin with radio-friendly hooks or stadium anthems. They started deep in their R&B roots—crafting soulful riffs, running intricate vocal lines, and laying down groove-heavy tracks that set the blueprint for their later success.

If you listen closely, those R&B influences are still there, layered into even their most commercial hits. So the question is: did these artists evolve naturally, or were they nudged into pop for bigger opportunities? Let’s take a trip back and revisit the R&B beginnings of some of your favorite pop stars.

The Early Days: Deep in Their R&B Bag

Beyoncé: From Destiny’s Child to Global Icon

Before she was Queen Bey, Beyoncé was the powerhouse lead vocalist of Destiny’s Child—one of the most influential R&B groups of all time. Hits like "Say My Name" and "Bills, Bills, Bills" showcased complex harmonies, confident storytelling, and undeniable soul.

Her solo debut Dangerously in Love (2003) continued this foundation. Tracks like "Me, Myself and I" and "Speechless" were pure R&B at their core. Even as she expanded her sound with pop-driven albums like I Am... Sasha Fierce, Beyoncé, and Renaissance, the structure, storytelling, and vocal power always carried the DNA of R&B.

Justin Timberlake: The Justified R&B Era

While Justin Timberlake found initial fame with the pop group *NSYNC, his solo debut Justified (2002) marked a sharp pivot into R&B. Produced primarily by Pharrell Williams and Timbaland—two titans of R&B and hip-hop—tracks like "Like I Love You," "Cry Me a River," and "Rock Your Body" leaned heavily on funk beats, falsetto runs, and groove-centered rhythms.

By the time FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006) dropped, Timberlake had firmly planted himself as a pop-R&B hybrid artist, blending slick production with unmistakable soulful energy.

Rihanna: The R&B Girl Who Conquered Pop

Rihanna’s early albums, Music of the Sun (2005) and A Girl Like Me (2006), were deeply rooted in Caribbean rhythms and R&B melodies. Tracks like "Pon de Replay" and "Unfaithful" highlighted her emotional delivery and sultry tone—classic R&B trademarks.

When Good Girl Gone Bad (2007) arrived, Rihanna made a deliberate shift toward pop with hits like "Umbrella." Yet even today, albums like Anti reveal that at her core, Rihanna’s sound remains steeped in R&B influences, blending pain, sensuality, and storytelling into her music.

Unexpected Crossovers: Artists Who Shifted Gears

The Weeknd: From Dark R&B to Global Pop Phenomenon

When The Weeknd first emerged with House of Balloons (2011), his sound was dark, brooding R&B—a raw emotional exploration wrapped in minimalist production. Tracks like "Wicked Games" and "The Morning" created an entire subgenre of moody, alternative R&B.

Today, songs like "Blinding Lights" and "Save Your Tears" lean heavily into ‘80s pop aesthetics. Yet, his falsetto, harmonic structure, and emotional themes still reveal strong R&B roots, even beneath the glossy synths.

Doja Cat: R&B Vibes Hidden Beneath Pop-Rap

While many fans associate Doja Cat with her playful pop-rap hits, her early work leaned much closer to R&B. Songs like "So High" showcased a dreamy, melodic sensibility layered over ethereal production.

As her mainstream success grew with tracks like "Say So" and "Kiss Me More," her sound shifted more toward pop. However, deeper cuts like "Streets" and "Been Like This" reveal an artist still deeply connected to her R&B beginnings.

Chris Brown: Straddling R&B and Pop

Chris Brown’s self-titled debut album (2005) positioned him as a new face of modern R&B, with hits like "Run It!" and "Yo (Excuse Me Miss)" blending smooth vocals with hip-hop beats.

As his career evolved, tracks like "Yeah 3X" and "Turn Up the Music" propelled him into dance-pop territory. Despite his genre shifts, Brown has consistently maintained a balance between club-ready pop anthems and slow-burning R&B tracks.

More Artists Who Started in R&B Before Dominating Pop

Mariah Carey: The Vocal Icon Who Bridged Genres

Mariah Carey’s debut album (1990) introduced her powerhouse vocals to the world with songs like "Vision of Love," a track filled with R&B stylings, gospel influences, and melismatic runs. Throughout the ’90s, she infused more hip-hop and R&B into her sound—especially with Butterfly (1997), which featured collaborations with Jermaine Dupri, Missy Elliott, and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony.

Though often labeled a pop diva, her vocal delivery and production choices remain deeply rooted in R&B traditions.

Pink: From R&B Aspirant to Pop-Rock Superstar

Pink’s debut album Can’t Take Me Home (2000) was a straight-up R&B record. Produced by Babyface and L.A. Reid, tracks like "There You Go" and "Most Girls" leaned heavily on R&B beats, harmonies, and phrasing.

However, after being rebranded with a more rock-driven image on M!ssundaztood (2001), Pink took a sharp turn toward pop-rock—leaving many early fans surprised by the genre shift.

Ne-Yo: The R&B Songwriter Who Found Pop Success

Ne-Yo first gained recognition writing R&B hits for artists like Mario (“Let Me Love You”) and Beyoncé. His solo work, especially albums like In My Own Words (2006) and Because of You (2007), was rooted in classic R&B.

As he gained popularity, songs like "Closer" and "Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself)" leaned into Europop production, showcasing his ability to cross into the pop world while maintaining his R&B core.

Tori Kelly: From Soulful YouTube Covers to Pop Recognition

Tori Kelly built a fan base by posting acoustic and R&B-style covers on YouTube. Her vocal style—filled with melisma and church-trained phrasing—was unmistakable.

Her major-label debut Unbreakable Smile (2015) featured pop-leaning singles, but the soul of her sound remained rooted in R&B. Tracks like "Paper Hearts" and "Dear No One" highlight the genre crossover in her artistry.

Normani: The R&B Force Breaking Out of Pop Expectations

After rising to fame with Fifth Harmony, Normani has steadily moved toward reclaiming her R&B identity. Tracks like "Waves," "Fair," and "Wild Side" showcase smooth vocal runs, moody production, and the sensual storytelling that defines modern R&B.

While mainstream media often places her in pop, her creative direction has clearly leaned toward R&B excellence.

Why Do R&B Artists Shift Toward Pop?

There are several reasons why R&B-rooted artists venture into pop:

Industry Pressure: Record labels often encourage pop crossovers because they generate larger international sales.
Audience Reach: Pop offers exposure to broader demographics, opening doors to bigger arenas, brand deals, and global recognition.
Evolving Trends: As genre boundaries continue to blur, artists naturally experiment with their sound to stay relevant and innovative.

Can Artists Successfully Be Both?

Absolutely. Many artists today thrive by blending both genres without losing their R&B essence.

SZA fuses experimental production with soulful, vulnerable lyrics, navigating both R&B and alternative pop spaces.
Bruno Mars transitioned from pop success to a full-blown funk and R&B revival with 24K Magic.
Beyoncé moves effortlessly between pop hits and deep, soulful R&B depending on the project’s vision.

As streaming culture dismantles traditional genre labels, more artists are embracing hybrid sounds. However, the heart of R&B remains a grounding force in much of today’s popular music.

R&B Will Always Be the Blueprint

Pop may evolve and borrow, but the emotional depth, vocal artistry, and rhythmic innovation of R&B continue to serve as pop’s foundation. Behind every catchy hook or dance-floor anthem, chances are you’ll find the soulful fingerprints of R&B artistry.

The next time you hear a pop hit that moves you with its vocals, harmonies, or storytelling—listen closer. You might just be hearing R&B’s everlasting influence.

Ali, L. (2021, November 10). How The Weeknd blurred the lines between R&B and pop. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2021-11-10/the-weeknd-pop-star-profile

Billboard Staff. (2017, March 13). Justin Timberlake’s evolution from ‘NSYNC teen idol to pop-R&B innovator. Billboard. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/justin-timberlake-career-evolution-7735710/

Fekadu, M. (2020, February 5). Doja Cat’s rise shows how genre boundaries are blurring. Associated Press. https://apnews.com/article/4a1d4b7a5358418f91789c6ad71e1e83

George, N. (1988). The death of rhythm and blues. Penguin Books.

Lockett, D. (2019, August 26). Rihanna’s genre-spanning evolution explained. Vulture. https://www.vulture.com/2019/08/rihannas-music-genre-evolution.html

Neal, M. A. (2002). Songs in the key of Black life: A rhythm and blues nation. Routledge.

Robinson, Z. (2021, February 2). The Weeknd’s Super Bowl performance is a pop triumph rooted in R&B tradition. Complex. https://www.complex.com/music/2021/02/the-weeknd-super-bowl-performance-pop-rnb-roots

Shaffer, C. (2017, August 24). How Beyoncé mastered the balance between pop superstardom and R&B authenticity. Rolling Stone. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/how-beyonce-mastered-the-balance-between-pop-and-rb-116517/

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