10 Artists Who Can Save R&B

R&B is at a crossroads.

The once thriving genre is now in a creative and commercial rut. It hasn’t produced a real superstar since the era of Beyonce and Usher (who’ve long since transcended R&B and crossed over into the pop world). The R&B artists that have managed to sell well recently - Maxwell, Sade, Keyshia Cole, Mary J. Blige - have done so without any pop radio support whatsoever. Songs routinely make it to number 1 on the Billboard R&B charts without even cracking the Top 40 of their Hot 100. For example, current R&B number 1 'Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)' is at number 46 on their Hot 100. Here’s a look at 10 artists we think have what it takes to save R&B, and what they bring.

UP NEXT: THE TWO VOICES THAT CAN BRING R&B BACK.