We've said it before, and we'll say it again: There's something special about '90s R&B. It's difficult to pinpoint why, exactly. It's not like it was new. The genre, which was given a name in 1948 by Jerry Wexler, who wanted to call it something other than 'race music,' has been in practice since at least the '30s. So what made the stuff of '90s so noteworthy? Perhaps it was the collision of rap, new jack swing, gospel, and soul that stretched the genre wide open. Or maybe it's because it felt like R&B ruled the world back then.

Collection of Donell Jones Beginning with his 1996 album My Heart, singer/songwriter/producer Donell Jones recorded a jazzy and soulful style of urban pop for LaFace Records and scored a few modest singles in the process.

It's the decade in which megastars like Mary J. Blige, R. Kelly, and Mariah Carey all came into their own. It was a time when label rosters overflowed with talented artists from every corner of the country. It was when groups were not only plentiful but successful. Movie soundtracks were buoyed by R&B. But most importantly, it was when we got a great number of modern-day classics released from everyone, from legends like Sade to rookies like Faith Evans. While Johnny Gill was reinventing himself, Tevin Campbell was just getting started.

Now that we're far enough removed from the decade, it's time to look back and decide which albums were good, great, and best. On this list you'll find albums that were life soundtracks, from road trips and gradutions, to first loves and breakups. From Aaliyah to Xscape, these are the best R&B albums of the '90s.

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Contents. Music career Jones is a son of a gospel singer and was raised in Chicago, IL. He later met DJ of and The Boyz and signed with Untouchables/, writing hits for.

1996–2007: Breakthrough with LaFace In June 1996, Jones released his debut album, on LaFace Records. While most of the album was produced by Jones himself, it also featured help from Eddie Ferrell's Untouchables Entertainment production team, involving Mookie, Marks Sparks, Kenny Tonge, and Darin Whittington. A moderate commercial success, it peaked at number 30 on Billboard 's, but failed to reach the upper half of the US Billboard 200. Its first two singles, 'In the Hood' and a cover of 's 1976 ballad ',' became top thirty hits on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs as well as the. In 1999, Jones enjoyed major success with the release of his second album,. Boosted by its hit single ',' a number two hit on the and top ten entry on the US, it peaked at number six on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States.

The album produced three further singles, including 'Shorty (Got Her Eyes On Me)' and ',' the latter of which reached number two on Billboard 's chart, and was eventually certified platinum by the (RIAA) for sales in excess of 1.0 million copies. In 2000, Jones recorded the song ' for the of the romantic drama film, which earned him a nomination for.

The same year, he was also awarded an in the category. Jones reteamed with his regular team of contributors, including Eddie F., Sheldon Goode, Jamie Hawkins, Darren Lighty, and Kyle West, to work on his third album. Released in June 2002, it debuted number 3 on the Billboard 200 and at number three on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, becoming his highest-charting effort yet.

A steady seller it earned gold status from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Its three singles were less successful however, though lead single ' became a top twenty hit on the R&B charts. Jones' fourth album, was released in 2006 and marked his first album to include a diverse roster of collaborators including production credits from,. It became Jones' highest-charting album on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart where it topped at number one, while entering the top 20 on the Billboard 200.

2009–present: Independent releases In 2009, Jones released, a collection of unreleased songs that were recorded between 1996 and 2004, through his own label Candyman Music Inc and TuneCore. Serving as prelude to his next studio album, The Lost Files failed to chart., Jones' fifth regular album, was released in September 2010 via Candyman. Chiefly produced by Jones' himself, it debuted and peaked at number 28 on the US and at number nine on the, becoming his fourth entry on the latter chart. Lyrics produced two singles, including ' which reached the top five of Billboard 's. Jones' sixth album Forever was released in July 2013. Another project conceived under Candyman and eOne Music, it debuted and peaked at number 20 on the Billboard 200 and reached number eight on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. The album spawned two singles.

Its title track which peaked at number 14 on Billboard 's Adult R&B Songs. In 2016, Jones premiered the single 'Never Let Her Go,' a collaboration with rapper. In support of the single, he went on a promo tour during spring 2017. In 2018, Jones provided vocals, produced and co-wrote on '23' by off the album (2018). Discography.