In a decade where R&B has struggled to find its identity, often caught between the nostalgia of the past and the genre-blending tendencies of the present, Ojerime has emerged as a rare talent who embodies the best of both worlds. While mainstream R&B continues to lean towards pop, trap beats, and overproduced aesthetics, Ojerime has carved out her own lane, blending sultry 90s influences with a raw, underground feel that is completely refreshing. In a decade filled with musical experimentation, Ojerime stands out as the best R&B artist of this generation.
Many modern R&B artists rely on overly polished production and TikTok-friendly hooks to stay relevant. While that formula has worked for some, it often leaves a soulless, forgettable impact. Ojerime, on the other hand, builds atmosphere, mood, and emotion into every track.
Her music is deeply inspired by the late 90s/early 2000s R&B era, but it never feels like an imitation. Instead, she wraps those influences into something unique, dark, and hypnotic. She carries the same moody, atmospheric essence that Aaliyah, Brandy, and SWV once embodied, but with an alt-R&B twist that makes it undeniably modern.
Ojerime is the definition of an independent force. While many artists rely on major labels to boost their careers, Ojerime has built her following organically through sheer artistry and word-of-mouth appeal. Her breakout projects, “B4 I Breakdown” (2020) and “Bad Influence” (2022), showcased an artist fully committed to her lane. Instead of diluting her sound for mainstream appeal, she’s only doubled down on her vision, proving there’s still a space for raw, emotionally driven R&B.
One of the biggest issues with today’s R&B scene is that it often feels repetitive. Many artists are either trying to recreate old formulas or chasing trends that distract them from the genre’s emotional depth. Ojerime, however, embraces the imperfections of music. Her sound is unpolished, vulnerable, and immersive and starkly contrasting to the hyper-glossy, pop-adjacent R&B that dominates today. The soundscapes consist of lo-fi beats with a gritty, London edge. Her dreamy yet eerie melodies float effortlessly over the production. Her vocals don’t overpower; they blend, providing a cinematic quality that feels lived-in and natural.
Songs like “2003”, “Give It Up 2 Me”, and “Often Enough aren’t trying to be radio hits—they’re trying to pull you into a mood, an emotion, a late-night haze that lingers long after the song ends.
Overall, artists like Brent Faiyaz, SZA, and Summer Walker dominate in their ways, but Ojerime exists in a completely different space. She’s creating aesthetic-driven R&B that feels like a mood board of the best elements of the genre’s past and future. If the industry gave her the same platform as some of today’s mainstream acts, there’s no doubt that she would redefine the landscape in ways we haven’t seen in years. This is why she’s the best R&B artist of this decade. And if you haven’t tuned in yet, it’s about time.
