10 Kings Of R&B For 2018

This month, 24-year-old Atlanta singer Jacquees dubbed himself this generation's King of R&B. This statement — delivered with a level of braggadocio that's more commonly found in the hip-hop world — sparked a Twitter debate lasting 48 hours (a year by social media standards.) This trending topic not only disputed Jacquees' claim to the throne, but also pitted '80 babies against millennials and Gen Z, which quickly drew lines in the sand over diverging tastes between the generations. Even current R&B artists like John Legend weighed in on the conversation. "Honestly I don't think there is a king of r&b right now," Legend tweeted. "Not a comment on quality. I think the throne is open right now."

While music fans argued over stars like , , , , and more, the conversation proved more than anything's named the , expanded conversations on sexuality, identity and intersectional feminism. ' meshed her beloved brand of telenovela panache with bubblegum pop and hip-churning bossa nova