Stevie Wonder Named Greatest R&B Solo Artist in Billboard Ranking

Billboard has published an updated ranking of the top 75 solo R&B artists in history, placing Stevie Wonder at No. 1.

This list, released in June 2025 after a decade since the previous edition, ranks artists based on several criteria: vocal ability, catalog breadth, career longevity, industry recognition, cultural impact, and overall influence.

At 75 years old, Wonder secured the top position, praised for his expansive six-decade career that spans soul, funk, pop, gospel, and jazz. His groundbreaking work in the 1970s, including albums like Talking Book, Innervisions, and Songs in the Key of Life, helped reshape musical production and incorporated pioneering synthesizer techniques. Additionally, Wonder’s influence extended beyond music—he played a notable role in activism, including advocating for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The top 10 from Billboard’s list is:

Rank                                        Artist

1                                               Stevie Wonder

2                                               Aretha Franklin

3                                               Michael Jackson

4                                               Beyoncé

5                                               Whitney Houston

6                                               James Brown

7                                               Prince

8                                               Mariah Carey

9                                               R. Kelly

10                                             Marvin Gaye

The expanded roster (ranks 11–75) also recognizes influential solo artists, such as Usher (#12), Chris Brown (#26), SZA, Lauryn Hill, and The Weeknd .

As with previous Billboard listings, the selection process was conducted by editorial staff, later sparking reactions from fans—some praised the top placements, while others questioned the absence or positioning of certain modern and classic artists.

Bottom line: Stevie Wonder has been designated by Billboard as the top solo R&B artist of all time, reflecting his unmatched career achievements, innovation in music, and ongoing influence since the 1960s.

Source: Billboard via multiple news outlets