There’s a new wave of artists reshaping the sound of Christian R&B music — and they’re not all coming from the usual places. Some blend gospel roots with lo-fi production. Others pair confessional lyrics with clean pop-leaning hooks. But what they all have in common is a quiet confidence, a sense that they know exactly what they’re trying to say — and who they’re saying it to.
From the podcast circuit to your playlist queue, here are seven artists worth knowing right now.
Jay Manwell
Jay Manwell has been getting a lot of attention lately, and if you don’t get it yet, just listen to our interview with them on The RELEVANT Podcast and you’ll see why. The brothers’ music doesn’t scream for your attention — it pulls you in slowly, layering sleek production with thoughtful lyrics and faith-adjacent themes. They’re part of a new class of artists who don’t feel the need to separate spiritual reflection from creative expression. If you’re looking for R&B with a little more depth, start here.
Sid Carter
Sid Carter’s music has a quiet intensity to it — like he’s working something out in real time and letting you listen in. His production is minimal but intentional, often built around his voice and whatever raw emotion he’s chasing. There’s a looseness to his sound that feels refreshing in an era of over-polished tracks. You’re not getting big hooks or flashy features — just thoughtful, intimate songs from someone who clearly knows his own voice.
Tylynn
Tylynn isn’t interested in sounding like anyone else. Her tracks jump between genres — some lean soulful, others more experimental — but there’s a thread of clarity that runs through it all. You get the sense she knows exactly what she wants her music to do, even if it doesn’t fit a clean category. She’s still flying under the radar, but if you’re into artists who take risks and actually pull them off, she’s one to watch.
Sam Rivera
There’s a vulnerability to Sam Rivera’s music that doesn’t feel performative. He writes about faith and failure in equal measure, and he doesn’t try to wrap everything up with a neat conclusion. His voice has that slightly strained edge that works perfectly for the kind of reflective, late-night-in-the-car songs he’s known for. If you’re into R&B that leans emotional without being overproduced, Rivera’s worth a listen.
Toyalove
Toyalove sounds like she grew up on gospel choirs and ’90s soul records — and she probably did. There’s an old-school warmth to her music, but it doesn’t feel retro. She writes about relationships, heartbreak and hope with a kind of lived-in perspective that makes everything land a little heavier. She’s not flashy, but she doesn’t need to be. Her songs speak for themselves.
Jordan May
Jordan May is best known in Christian hip-hop circles, but his recent output leans more melodic and R&B-driven. His songwriting is subtle and surprisingly personal, with tracks that touch on identity, pressure and the quiet tension between belief and doubt. He’s not reinventing the genre, but he’s finding interesting ways to stretch it, especially when he pulls back and lets the melodies take the lead.
Madison Ryann Ward
There’s a gravitas to Madison Ryann Ward’s voice that makes you sit up. It’s not just that she can sing — it’s that she sings like she has something specific to say. Her songs often feel like meditations, less about performance and more about presence. She doesn’t release music often, but when she does, it tends to stick with you. If you’re into artists like Yebba or H.E.R., she’s a natural next listen.
