Damien Scott

This feature originally appeared in Complex's August/September 2013 issue. The Weeknd wants to be a star. Perhaps he’s given you another impression—because he’s never done an interview (until now) and he rarely poses for photos. But the 23-year-old singer, songwriter, and producer, born Abel Tesfaye in Scarborough, Ontario, doesn’t plan to languish in obscurity. Nor will he be one of those indie artists who wields tremendous influence but whose names are only known by “purists.” Fuck that.

Key Takeaways This is a ranking of the best R&B albums of the ’90s, a decade when hip-hop, new jack swing, gospel, soul, and neo-soul pushed the genre into bold new territory. Featured in the list are classics like Mary J. Blige’s deeply personal My Life, Janet Jackson’s self titled masterpiece, and Lauryn Hill’s Grammy-winning The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.

Key Takeaways These are the 50 best ’90s R&B songs of all time, celebrating the era’s impact on pop songwriting, production, and Black music culture. The feature spotlights classics from artists like Mary J. Blige, Lauryn Hill, TLC, SWV, Aaliyah, Boyz II Men, and Mariah Carey, unpacking why tracks such as “Weak,” “Pony,” and “Waterfalls” still resonate.