# List of artists who reached number one on the Billboard R&B chart

This is a list of all the musicians and music groups who reached number one on the Billboard R&B singles chart.
The chart was officially titled as follows:
    Oct 1942 – Feb 1945 The Harlem Hit Parade
    Feb 1945 – Jun 1949 Race Records
    Jun 1949 – Oct 1958 Rhythm & Blues Records
    Oct 1958 – Nov 1963 Hot R&B Sides
    Nov 1963 – Jan 1965 No chart published
    Jan 1965 – Aug 1969 Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles
    Aug 1969 – Jul 1973 Best Selling Soul Singles
    Jul 1973 – Jun 1982 Hot Soul Singles
    Jun 1982 – Oct 1990 Hot Black Singles
    Oct 1990 – Jan 1999 Hot R&B Singles
    Jan 1999 – Dec 1999 Hot R&B Singles & Tracks
    Dec 1999 – Apr 2005 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks
    April 2005 – present Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Lists are alphabetical by year. NOTE : Annual totals may not sum to 52 weeks because:
* sometimes the No. 1 place was shared
* totals are counted from the start of the stay at No. 1 - for example, a hit which reached No. 1 in November 1945 and stayed there 11 weeks is included in the 1945 list but not 1946.
As well as the R&B best sellers (BS) chart, between 1948 and 1957 there was also an R&B juke box (JB) chart, and from 1955 to 1958 there was an R&B airplay (JY - jockeys) chart. These charts were consolidated into one in October 1958. Years at No. 1 on these different charts are listed where appropriate.

## 1942

* Bing Crosby (3 weeks)
* Earl Hines (1 week)
* Andy Kirk (1 week)
* Lucky Millinder (2 weeks)
* Freddie Slack (2 weeks)
* Paul Whiteman and Billie Holiday (3 weeks)

## 1943

* Bea Booze (4 weeks)
* Nat "King" Cole (3 weeks)
* Bonnie Davis (5 weeks)
* Duke Ellington (5 weeks)
* Erskine Hawkins (14 weeks)
* Dick Haymes (4 weeks)
* The Ink Spots (9 weeks)
* Harry James (1 week)
* Louis Jordan (1 week)
* Lucky Millinder (3 weeks)
* Ella Mae Morse (2 weeks)

## 1944

* Benny Carter (2 weeks)
* Nat "King" Cole (14 weeks)
* Duke Ellington (12 weeks)
* Benny Goodman (1 week)
* Lionel Hampton (6 weeks)
* The Ink Spots and Ella Fitzgerald (12 weeks)
* Buddy Johnson (1 week)
* Louis Jordan (7 weeks)
* Johnny Mercer (1 week)
* The Mills Brothers (1 week)

## 1945

* Cecil Gant (2 weeks)
* Erskine Hawkins (6 weeks)
* Louis Jordan (8 weeks)
* Joe Liggins (18 weeks)
* Lucky Millinder (8 weeks)
* Roosevelt Sykes (7 weeks)
* Cootie Williams (1 week)

## 1946

* Ella Fitzgerald (with Louis Jordan) (5 weeks)
* Lionel Hampton (16 weeks)
* The Ink Spots (3 weeks)
* Louis Jordan (35 weeks, inc. 5 weeks with Ella Fitzgerald)

## 1947

* Savannah Churchill (8 weeks)
* Louis Jordan (40 weeks)
* Julia Lee (12 weeks)
* Eddie Vinson (2 weeks)

## 1948

* Roy Brown (1 week JB)
* Pee Wee Crayton (1 week BS, 3 weeks JB)
* Wynonie Harris (1 week BS, 1 week JB)
* Ivory Joe Hunter (3 weeks BS, 3 weeks JB)
* Bull Moose Jackson (11 weeks BS, 7 weeks JB)
* Lonnie Johnson (7 weeks BS, 7 weeks JB)
* Louis Jordan (2 weeks JB)
* Julia Lee (9 weeks)
* Memphis Slim (2 weeks JB)
* Amos Milburn (7 weeks BS, 7 weeks JB)
* Red Miller (4 weeks BS, 5 weeks JB)
* The Orioles (1 week JB)
* Hal Singer (4 weeks BS, 4 weeks JB)
* Arbee Stidham (1 week BS, 1 week JB)
* Sonny Thompson (4 weeks BS, 3 weeks JB)
* Dinah Washington (1 week JB)

## 1949

* Charles Brown (15 weeks BS, 11 weeks JB)
* Larry Darnell (6 weeks BS, 8 weeks JB)
* Wynonie Harris (1 week BS, 2 weeks JB)
* John Lee Hooker (1 week JB)
* Louis Jordan (12 weeks BS, 12 weeks JB)
* Big Jay McNeely (1 week BS, 1 week JB)
* Amos Milburn (2 weeks JB)
* The Orioles (1 week BS)
* Dinah Washington (2 weeks BS, 1 week JB)
* Paul Williams (12 weeks BS, 14 weeks JB)
* Jimmy Witherspoon (1 week BS)

## 1950

* Roy Brown (3 weeks BS)
* Ruth Brown (11 weeks BS, 7 weeks JB)
* Nat "King" Cole (4 weeks JB)
* Lowell Fulson (1 week BS, 4 weeks JB)
* Ivory Joe Hunter (2 weeks BS, 7 weeks JB)
* Louis Jordan (7 weeks BS, 4 weeks JB)
* Joe Liggins (11 weeks BS, 13 weeks JB)
* Percy Mayfield (2 weeks BS, 1 week JB)
* Joe Morris (4 weeks BS, 3 weeks JB)
* Johnny Otis and Little Esther (13 weeks BS, 10 weeks JB) (9 weeks BS / 5 weeks JB with The Robins, 4 weeks BS / 5 weeks JB with Mel Walker)

## 1951

* Earl Bostic (4 weeks BS)
* Jackie Brenston (3 weeks BS, 5 weeks JB)
* Charles Brown (13 weeks BS, 14 weeks JB)
* The Clovers (8 weeks BS, 3 weeks JB)
* The Dominoes (14 weeks BS, 12 weeks JB)
* The Five Keys (4 weeks BS, 2 weeks JB)
* Lloyd Glenn (2 weeks JB)
* Peppermint Harris (1 week BS, 2 weeks JB)
* John Lee Hooker (4 weeks JB)
* Amos Milburn (1 week BS, 3 weeks JB)
* Jimmy Nelson (1 week JB)
* Tab Smith (2 weeks BS)

## 1952

* Johnny Ace (9 weeks BS)
* Eddie Boyd (2 weeks BS, 7 weeks JB)
* Ruth Brown (7 weeks BS, 6 weeks JB)
* Tommy Brown with The Griffin Brothers (3 weeks JB)
* The Clovers (1 week BS, 1 week JB)
* Fats Domino (1 week BS)
* The Dominoes (7 weeks BS, 10 weeks JB)
* Jimmy Forrest (6 weeks BS, 7 weeks JB)
* The Four Blazes (3 weeks JB)
* Rosco Gordon (1 week BS)
* B. B. King (7 weeks BS, 5 weeks JB)
* Little Walter (1 week BS, 8 weeks JB)
* Willie Mabon (8 weeks BS, 7 weeks JB)
* Lloyd Price (7 weeks BS, 1 week JB)
* Johnnie Ray (1 week BS, 1 week JB)

## 1953

* Johnny Ace (5 weeks BS, 4 weeks JB)
* Faye Adams (9 weeks BS, 10 weeks JB)
* Ruth Brown (5 weeks BS, 5 weeks JB)
* The "5" Royales (8 weeks BS, 8 weeks JB)
* B.B. King (3 weeks JB)
* Willie Mabon (2 weeks BS)
* Clyde McPhatter and The Drifters (11 weeks BS, 1 week JB)
* The Orioles (4 weeks BS, 5 weeks JB)
* Big Mama Thornton (6 weeks BS, 7 weeks JB)
* Big Joe Turner (8 weeks JB)

## 1954

* Faye Adams (6 weeks BS, 5 weeks JB)
* Ruth Brown (5 weeks BS, 9 weeks JB)
* The Charms (9 weeks BS, 2 weeks JB, 2 weeks JY)
* Clyde McPhatter and The Drifters (8 weeks BS, 8 weeks JB)
* Guitar Slim (6 weeks BS, 14 weeks JB)
* Roy Hamilton (8 weeks BS, 5 weeks JB)
* B.B. King (2 weeks JB)
* The Midnighters (9 weeks BS, 4 weeks JB)
* Big Joe Turner (3 weeks JB)

## 1955

* Johnny Ace (9 weeks BS, 9 weeks JB, 10 weeks JY)
* Chuck Berry (9 weeks BS, 11 weeks JB, 9 weeks JY)
* Ray Charles (1 week JB, 1 week JY)
* Bo Diddley (2 weeks JB)
* Fats Domino (11 weeks BS, 8 weeks JB, 10 weeks JY)
* The Drifters (1 week JB)
* Roy Hamilton (3 weeks BS)
* Al Hibbler (1 week JB)
* Etta James (4 weeks JY)
* Little Walter ( 4 weeks BS, 5 weeks JB, 2 weeks JY)
* Jay McShann (3 weeks BS, 2 weeks JB, 2 weeks JY)
* The Moonglows (2 weeks JB, 1 week JY)
* The Penguins (3 weeks BS, 3 weeks JB, 1 week JY)
* The Platters (7 weeks BS, 6 weeks JB, 5 weeks JY)

## 1956

* Ray Charles (2 weeks JB, 1 week JY)
* Bill Doggett (13 weeks BS, 1 week JB, 5 weeks JY)
* Fats Domino (15 weeks BS, 17 weeks JB, 20 weeks JY)
* The El Dorados (1 week JB)
* Little Willie John (3 weeks BS, 1 week JB, 5 weeks JY)
* Little Richard (8 weeks BS, 9 weeks JB, 5 weeks JY)
* Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers (5 weeks BS, 2 weeks JY)
* Clyde McPhatter (1 week JB)
* The Platters (10 weeks BS, 11 weeks JB, 13 weeks JY)
* Elvis Presley (1 week BS, 6 weeks JB)
* Shirley and Lee (3 weeks JB, 3 weeks JY)

## 1957

* Paul Anka (2 weeks BS)
* LaVern Baker (1 week JY)
* Chuck Berry (1 week BS, 1 week JB, 5 weeks JY)
* Bobby Bland (2 weeks JY)
* The Bobbettes (4 weeks JY)
* The Coasters (13 weeks BS, 2 weeks JB, 7 weeks JY)
* Nat "King" Cole (2 weeks JY)
* Sam Cooke (6 weeks BS, 6 weeks JY)
* Fats Domino (14 weeks BS, 13 weeks JB, 12 weeks JY)
* The Everly Brothers (1 week JY)
* Ivory Joe Hunter (3 weeks JB, 1 week JY)
* Jerry Lee Lewis (2 weeks BS, 1 week JY)
* Little Richard (2 weeks JB)
* Clyde McPhatter (1 week JY)
* Mickey & Sylvia (2 weeks JY)
* Elvis Presley (10 weeks BS, 4 weeks JB, 5 weeks JY)
* Jimmie Rodgers (2 weeks BS, 1 week JY)
* Larry Williams (1 week JY)
* Chuck Willis (2 weeks JY)

## 1958

* Chuck Berry (3 weeks BS, 3 weeks JY)
* The Champs (4 weeks BS, 4 weeks JY)
* Jimmy Clanton (1 week BS)
* The Coasters (7 weeks BS, 6 weeks JY)
* Cozy Cole (6 weeks)
* Sam Cooke (1 week JY)
* Danny & The Juniors (5 weeks BS)
* Bobby Darin (2 weeks JY)
* Bobby Day (3 weeks JY)
* Tommy Edwards (3 weeks BS)
* The Elegants (4 weeks BS, 4 weeks JY)
* The Everly Brothers (5 weeks BS, 3 weeks JY)
* Ernie Freeman (2 weeks JY)
* Bill Justis (1 week JY)
* The Kalin Twins (1 week JY)
* Clyde McPhatter (1 week)
* The Platters (3 weeks BS)
* Perez Prado (2 weeks BS, 1 week JY)
* Elvis Presley (3 weeks JY)
* David Seville (1 week JY)
* The Silhouettes (4 weeks BS, 6 weeks JY)
* Chuck Willis (1 week JY)
* Jackie Wilson (7 weeks)

## 1959

* Brook Benton (16 weeks)
* James Brown (1 week)
* Ray Charles (1 week)
* The Coasters (4 weeks)
* Fats Domino (1 week)
* The Drifters (1 week)
* Wilbert Harrison (7 weeks)
* Phil Phillips (1 week)
* Lloyd Price (11 weeks)
* Della Reese (2 weeks)
* The Spacemen (3 weeks)
* Jackie Wilson (1 week)

## 1960

* Hank Ballard and The Midnighters (3 weeks)
* Brook Benton (23 weeks, inc. 14 weeks with Dinah Washington)
* Bill Black (8 weeks)
* Buster Brown (1 week)
* Jerry Butler (7 weeks)
* The Drifters (1 week)
* The Everly Brothers (1 week)
* Bobby Marchan (1 week)
* Dinah Washington (15 weeks, inc. 14 weeks with Brook Benton)
* Jackie Wilson (7 weeks)

## 1961

* Bobby Bland (1 week)
* Ray Charles (6 weeks)
* Chubby Checker (2 weeks)
* Lee Dorsey (1 week)
* The Jive Five (3 weeks)
* Ernie K-Doe (5 weeks)
* Ben E. King (4 weeks)
* Bobby Lewis (10 weeks)
* The Marcels (2 weeks)
* The Marvelettes (7 weeks)
* The Miracles (8 weeks)
* The Pips (1 week)

## 1962

* Booker T. & the MGs (4 weeks)
* Gene Chandler (5 weeks)
* Ray Charles (15 weeks)
* Sam Cooke (3 weeks)
* King Curtis (2 weeks)
* The Four Seasons (1 week)
* Barbara George (4 weeks)
* Little Eva (3 weeks)
* Barbara Lynn (3 weeks)
* Esther Phillips (3 weeks)
* Dee Dee Sharp (4 weeks)
* Mary Wells (1 week)

## 1963

* Bobby Bland (2 weeks)
* The Chiffons (4 weeks)
* Sam Cooke (1 week)
* The Essex (2 weeks)
* Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs (1 week)
* Lesley Gore (3 weeks)
* The Impressions (2 weeks)
* Barbara Lewis (2 weeks)
* Little Peggy March (1 week)
* Martha and the Vandellas (4 weeks)
* Garnet Mimms and the Enchanters (3 weeks)
* The Miracles (1 week)
* Paul and Paula (2 weeks)
* Ruby and the Romantics (2 weeks)
* Jimmy Soul (1 week)
* Little Johnny Taylor (1 week)
* Mary Wells (4 weeks)
* Jackie Wilson (3 weeks)
* Little Stevie Wonder (6 weeks)

## 1964

NOTE: No R&B charts were published between November 1963 and January 1965. The following R&B artists (as assessed by Joel Whitburn) had No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart during that period :
* The Dixie Cups (3 weeks)
* The Shangri-Las (1 week)
* The Supremes (6 weeks)
* Mary Wells (2 weeks)

## 1965

* Fontella Bass (4 weeks)
* James Brown (14 weeks)
* Solomon Burke (3 weeks)
* The Four Tops (9 weeks)
* Marvin Gaye (2 weeks)
* Little Milton (3 weeks)
* Wilson Pickett (1 week)
* The Supremes (1 week)
* The Temptations (6 weeks)
* Joe Tex (3 weeks)
* Jr. Walker & the All Stars (4 weeks)

## 1966

* James Brown (2 weeks)
* Ray Charles (1 week)
* Eddie Floyd (1 week)
* The Four Tops (2 weeks)
* Slim Harpo (2 weeks)
* Wilson Pickett (8 weeks)
* Lou Rawls (1 week)
* Sam & Dave (1 week)
* Percy Sledge (4 weeks)
* The Supremes (6 weeks)
* The Temptations (16 weeks)
* Joe Tex (1 week)
* Stevie Wonder (6 weeks)

## 1967

* James Brown (3 weeks)
* Aretha Franklin (17 weeks)
* Gladys Knight & The Pips (6 weeks)
* Martha and the Vandellas (1 week)
* Aaron Neville (5 weeks)
* Wilson Pickett (1 week)
* Sam & Dave (7 weeks)
* Freddie Scott (4 weeks)
* The Supremes (2 weeks)
* Bettye Swann (2 weeks)
* Jackie Wilson (1 week)
* Stevie Wonder (4 weeks)

## 1968

* Archie Bell & The Drells (2 weeks)
* James Brown (8 weeks)
* Jerry Butler (1 week)
* The Dells (3 weeks)
* Aretha Franklin (10 weeks)
* Marvin Gaye (13 weeks, inc. 6 weeks with Tammi Terrell)
* The Intruders (1 week)
* Hugh Masekela (4 weeks)
* Otis Redding (3 weeks)
* Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (1 week)
* Johnnie Taylor (3 weeks)
* The Temptations (4 weeks)
* Stevie Wonder (1 week)

## 1969

* James Brown (4 weeks)
* Jerry Butler (2 weeks)
* Tyrone Davis (3 weeks)
* The Dells (1 week)
* Aretha Franklin (5 weeks)
* Marvin Gaye (6 weeks)
* The Impressions (1 week)
* The Isley Brothers (4 weeks)
* The Originals (5 weeks)
* Diana Ross and The Supremes (4 weeks)
* Joe Simon (3 weeks)
* Sly & The Family Stone (2 weeks)
* The Temptations (7 weeks)
* Jr. Walker & the All Stars (2 weeks)

## 1970

* Brook Benton (1 week)
* James Brown (2 weeks)
* Tyrone Davis (2 weeks)
* Aretha Franklin (5 weeks)
* The Jackson Five (20 weeks)
* The Moments (5 weeks)
* Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (3 weeks)
* Diana Ross (1 week)
* Sly & The Family Stone (5 weeks)
* The Supremes (1 week)
* Stevie Wonder (6 weeks)

## 1971

* James Brown (3 weeks)
* The Chi-Lites (2 weeks)
* King Floyd (4 weeks)
* Aretha Franklin (5 weeks)
* Marvin Gaye (9 weeks)
* The Honey Cone (5 weeks)
* The Jackson Five (3 weeks)
* Gladys Knight & The Pips (1 week)
* Jean Knight (5 weeks)
* Denise LaSalle (1 week)
* The Persuaders (2 weeks)
* Wilson Pickett (1 week)
* Sly & The Family Stone (5 weeks)
* Johnnie Taylor (2 weeks)
* The Temptations (3 weeks)
* Rufus Thomas (2 weeks)

## 1972

* James Brown (5 weeks)
* The Chi-Lites (2 weeks)
* The Dramatics (4 weeks)
* Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway (1 week)
* Aretha Franklin (2 weeks)
* Al Green (12 weeks)
* Luther Ingram (4 weeks)
* Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes (2 weeks)
* The O'Jays (1 week)
* Billy Paul (4 weeks)
* Billy Preston (1 week)
* Joe Simon (2 weeks)
* The Spinners (5 weeks)
* The Staple Singers (4 weeks)
* Joe Tex (1 week)
* Bill Withers (1 week)
* Bobby Womack (1 week)

## 1973

* Aretha Franklin (2 weeks)
* Marvin Gaye (6 weeks)
* The Independents (1 week)
* Eddie Kendricks (2 weeks)
* Gladys Knight & The Pips (8 weeks)
* Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes (2 weeks)
* The Ohio Players (1 week)
* The O'Jays (4 weeks)
* Billy Preston (1 week)
* The Spinners (5 weeks)
* The Staple Singers (3 weeks)
* Sylvia (2 weeks)
* Johnnie Taylor (2 weeks)
* The Temptations (2 weeks)
* Timmy Thomas (2 weeks)
* Fred Wesley & The J.B.s (2 weeks)
* Barry White (2 weeks)
* Stevie Wonder (6 weeks)

## 1974

* Blue Magic (1 week)
* James Brown (5 weeks)
* Shirley Brown (2 weeks)
* B.T. Express (1 week)
* William DeVaughn (1 week)
* Roberta Flack (5 weeks)
* Aretha Franklin (3 weeks)
* Al Green (1 week)
* The Impressions (2 weeks)
* The Jackson Five (1 week)
* Eddie Kendricks (3 weeks)
* Gladys Knight & The Pips (5 weeks)
* Kool & The Gang (2 weeks)
* Latimore (2 weeks)
* George McCrae (2 weeks)
* MFSB featuring The Three Degrees (1 week)
* Rufus featuring Chaka Khan (1 week)
* The Spinners (2 weeks)
* Tavares (1 week)
* The Temptations (1 week)
* Barry White (3 weeks)
* Bobby Womack (3 weeks)
* Stevie Wonder (4 weeks)

## 1975

* B.T. Express (1 week)
* Natalie Cole (2 weeks)
* The Commodores (1 week)
* Carl Douglas (1 week)
* Earth, Wind & Fire (2 weeks)
* Faith Hope & Charity (1 week)
* Graham Central Station (1 week)
* Al Green (3 weeks)
* Major Harris (1 week)
* The Isley Brothers (3 weeks)
* K.C. & The Sunshine Band (2 weeks)
* Eddie Kendricks (1 week)
* Ben E. King (1 week)
* Kool & The Gang (1 week)
* LaBelle (1 week)
* Love Unlimited (1 week)
* Van McCoy (1 week)
* Gwen McCrae (1 week)
* The Moments (1 week)
* New Birth (1 week)
* The Ohio Players (4 weeks)
* The O'Jays (2 weeks)
* Sharon Paige with Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes (1 week)
* Peoples Choice (1 week)
* The Pointer Sisters (2 weeks)
* Smokey Robinson (1 week)
* Shirley and Company (1 week)
* Silver Convention (1 week)
* Joe Simon (2 weeks)
* The Spinners (1 week)
* The Staple Singers (2 weeks)
* Tavares (1 week)
* The Temptations (2 weeks)
* War (1 week)
* Barry White (2 weeks)

## 1976

* Brass Construction (1 week)
* Brick (4 weeks)
* The Brothers Johnson (1 week)
* Natalie Cole (2 weeks)
* The Commodores (2 weeks)
* Tyrone Davis (1 week)
* Earth, Wind & Fire (4 weeks)
* Aretha Franklin (4 weeks)
* Marvin Gaye (1 week)
* K.C. & The Sunshine Band (4 weeks)
* L.T.D. (2 weeks)
* The Manhattans (1 week)
* Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. (1 week)
* Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes (2 weeks)
* The Ohio Players (1 week)
* The O'Jays (3 weeks)
* Lou Rawls (2 weeks)
* Rose Royce (2 weeks)
* Diana Ross (1 week)
* David Ruffin (1 week)
* Rufus featuring Chaka Khan (2 weeks)
* The Spinners (1 week)
* Candi Staton (1 week)
* The Sylvers (1 week)
* Johnnie Taylor (6 weeks)
* Wild Cherry (2 weeks)

## 1977

* William Bell (1 week)
* The Brothers Johnson (1 week)
* Natalie Cole (5 weeks)
* The Commodores (1 week)
* Earth, Wind & Fire (7 weeks)
* The Emotions (4 weeks)
* The Floaters (6 weeks)
* Aretha Franklin (1 week)
* Marvin Gaye (5 weeks)
* Thelma Houston (1 week)
* The Isley Brothers (1 week)
* K.C. & The Sunshine Band (1 week)
* L.T.D. (2 weeks)
* The O'Jays (1 week)
* Rufus featuring Chaka Khan (2 weeks)
* Slave (1 week)
* Tavares (1 week)
* Barry White (5 weeks)
* Stevie Wonder (6 weeks)

## 1978

* Bootsy's Rubber Band (1 week)
* Chic (5 weeks)
* Natalie Cole (2 weeks)
* The Commodores (3 weeks)
* Con Funk Shun (2 weeks)
* Earth, Wind & Fire (1 week)
* Enchantment (1 week)
* Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway (2 weeks)
* Foxy (2 weeks)
* Funkadelic (6 weeks)
* The Isley Brothers (2 weeks)
* Rick James (2 weeks)
* Quincy Jones (1 week)
* Chaka Khan (3 weeks)
* L.T.D. (2 weeks)
* Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams (4 weeks)
* The O'Jays (5 weeks)
* Parliament (3 weeks)
* Teddy Pendergrass (2 weeks)
* Stargard (2 weeks)
* A Taste Of Honey (1 week)

## 1979

* Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers (4 weeks)
* Chic (6 weeks)
* The Commodores (1 week)
* Earth, Wind & Fire (1 week)
* Funkadelic (3 weeks)
* G.Q. (2 weeks)
* Instant Funk (3 weeks)
* The Isley Brothers (1 week)
* Michael Jackson (5 weeks)
* Kool & The Gang (3 weeks)
* Cheryl Lynn (1 week)
* McFadden & Whitehead (1 week)
* Parliament (4 weeks)
* Peaches & Herb (4 weeks)
* Prince (2 weeks)
* Rufus and Chaka Khan (3 weeks)
* Sister Sledge (2 weeks)
* Donna Summer (1 week)
* Anita Ward (5 weeks)

## 1980

* George Benson (3 weeks)
* The Brothers Johnson (2 weeks)
* Tom Browne (4 weeks)
* Larry Graham (2 weeks)
* The Isley Brothers (4 weeks)
* Jermaine Jackson (6 weeks)
* Michael Jackson (6 weeks)
* Kool & The Gang (6 weeks)
* Ray, Goodman & Brown (1 week)
* Diana Ross (4 weeks)
* Shalamar (1 week)
* The S.O.S. Band (5 weeks)
* The Whispers (5 weeks)
* Stevie Wonder (7 weeks)

## 1981

* Earth, Wind & Fire (8 weeks)
* The Four Tops (2 weeks)
* The Gap Band (2 weeks)
* Rick James (5 weeks)
* Chaka Khan (2 weeks)
* Evelyn King (1 week)
* Kool & The Gang (1 week)
* Lakeside (2 weeks)
* Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio (2 weeks)
* Smokey Robinson (5 weeks)
* Roger (2 weeks)
* Diana Ross and Lionel Richie (7 weeks)
* Frankie Smith (4 weeks)
* A Taste Of Honey (1 week)
* Luther Vandross (2 weeks)
* Yarbrough & Peoples (5 weeks)

## 1982

* George Benson (1 week)
* The Dazz Band (5 weeks)
* Richard "Dimples" Fields (3 weeks)
* Aretha Franklin (4 weeks)
* The Gap Band (3 weeks)
* Marvin Gaye (10 weeks)
* Daryl Hall & John Oates (1 week)
* Jennifer Holliday (4 weeks)
* Evelyn King (5 weeks)
* Skyy (2 weeks)
* Deniece Williams (2 weeks)
* Stevie Wonder (9 weeks)
* Zapp (2 weeks)

## 1983

* George Clinton (4 weeks)
* DeBarge (5 weeks)
* Aretha Franklin (2 weeks)
* The Gap Band (1 week)
* Michael Jackson (13 weeks, inc. 3 weeks with Paul McCartney)
* Rick James (6 weeks)
* Gladys Knight & The Pips (1 week)
* Mtume (8 weeks)
* New Edition (1 week)
* Lionel Richie (7 weeks)
* Rufus and Chaka Khan (1 week)
* Donna Summer (3 weeks)

## 1984

* Ashford & Simpson (3 weeks)
* Cameo (4 weeks)
* Chaka Khan (3 weeks)
* Kool & The Gang (2 weeks)
* Patti LaBelle (4 weeks)
* Cheryl Lynn (1 week)
* Midnight Star (5 weeks)
* New Edition (1 week)
* O'Bryan (1 week)
* Billy Ocean (4 weeks)
* Ray Parker Jr. (2 weeks)
* Prince (9 weeks)
* Lionel Richie (3 weeks)
* Rockwell (5 weeks)
* Deniece Williams (3 weeks)
* Stevie Wonder (3 weeks)
* Yarbrough & Peoples (1 week)

## 1985

* The Commodores (4 weeks)
* DeBarge (1 week)
* Aretha Franklin (5 weeks)
* Whitney Houston (2 weeks)
* Isley Jasper Isley (3 weeks)
* Freddie Jackson (8 weeks)
* Kool & The Gang (2 weeks)
* Loose Ends (1 week)
* Maze featuring Frankie Beverly (2 weeks)
* New Edition (3 weeks)
* Ready For The World (2 weeks)
* Rene & Angela (2 weeks)
* Diana Ross (3 weeks)
* USA for Africa (2 weeks)
* Eugene Wilde (4 weeks)
* Stevie Wonder (6 weeks)

## 1986

* Gregory Abbott (2 weeks)
* Bobby Brown (2 weeks)
* Cameo (3 weeks)
* Jean Carn (2 weeks)
* El DeBarge (1 week)
* Gwen Guthrie (1 week)
* Whitney Houston (1 week)
* Freddie Jackson (5 weeks inc. 1 week with Melba Moore)
* Janet Jackson (4 weeks)
* Oran "Juice" Jones (2 weeks)
* Shirley Jones (2 weeks)
* Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald (4 weeks)
* Levert (1 week)
* Stephanie Mills (2 weeks)
* Melba Moore with Freddie Jackson (1 week)
* Meli'sa Morgan (3 weeks)
* Billy Ocean (3 weeks)
* Prince (4 weeks)
* Ready For The World (2 weeks)
* Rene & Angela (1 week)
* Lionel Richie (2 weeks)
* Timex Social Club (2 weeks)
* Dionne Warwick with Elton John, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder (3 weeks)

## 1987

* Herb Alpert with Janet Jackson (2 weeks)
* Atlantic Starr (2 weeks)
* Cameo (2 weeks)
* Earth, Wind & Fire (1 week)
* Force M.D.'s (2 weeks)
* Freddie Jackson (3 weeks)
* Janet Jackson (5 weeks, inc. 2 with Herb Alpert)
* Michael Jackson (8 weeks)
* Levert (2 weeks)
* Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam (3 weeks)
* L.L. Cool J (1 week)
* Loose Ends (1 week)
* Stephanie Mills (4 weeks)
* Melba Moore (1 week)
* The O'Jays (1 week)
* Alexander O'Neal (2 weeks)
* Prince (3 weeks)
* Roger (1 week)
* The System (1 week)
* Luther Vandross (3 weeks, inc. 1 with Gregory Hines)
* Jody Watley (3 weeks)
* The Whispers (1 week)
* Angela Winbush (2 weeks)
* Stevie Wonder (2 weeks)

## 1988

* Al B. Sure! (5 weeks)
* Anita Baker (2 weeks)
* The Boys (1 week)
* Bobby Brown (4 weeks)
* Cherrelle (1 week)
* Terence Trent D'Arby (1 week)
* Morris Day (2 weeks)
* E.U. (1 week)
* Freddie Jackson (4 weeks)
* Michael Jackson (2 weeks)
* Rick James feat. Roxanne Shante (1 week)
* Johnny Kemp (2 weeks)
* Gladys Knight & The Pips (1 week)
* Levert (2 weeks)
* The Mac Band featuring the McCampbell Brothers (1 week)
* Teena Marie (1 week)
* Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers (2 weeks)
* George Michael (1 week)
* Billy Ocean (1 week)
* Jeffrey Osborne (1 week)
* Pebbles (3 weeks)
* Teddy Pendergrass (2 weeks)
* Cheryl Pepsii Riley (1 week)
* Sade (1 week)
* Keith Sweat (3 weeks)
* Tony! Toni! Tone! (1 week)
* Luther Vandross (1 week)
* Karyn White (1 week)
* Stevie Wonder (1 week)

## 1989

* Atlantic Starr (1 week)
* Babyface (2 weeks)
* Anita Baker (1 week)
* Regina Belle (1 week)
* Chuckii Booker (1 week)
* The Boys (1 week)
* Bobby Brown (2 weeks)
* Peabo Bryson (1 week)
* Natalie Cole (1 week)
* De La Soul (1 week)
* Roberta Flack (1 week)
* Eric Gable (1 week)
* The Gap Band (2 weeks)
* Miki Howard (1 week)
* Janet Jackson (2 weeks)
* Jermaine Jackson (1 week)
* Levert (1 week)
* Maze feat. Frankie Beverly (2 weeks)
* Stephanie Mills (2 weeks)
* New Edition (2 weeks)
* The O'Jays (2 weeks)
* Prince (1 week)
* Teddy Riley feat. Guy (1 week)
* Skyy (2 weeks)
* Soul II Soul (3 weeks)
* Surface (5 weeks)
* Today (1 week)
* Luther Vandross (2 weeks)
* Jody Watley (1 week)
* Karyn White (5 weeks)
* Vanessa Williams (2 weeks)

## 1990

* After 7 (3 weeks)
* Al B. Sure! (2 weeks, inc. 1 week with Quincy Jones)
* Babyface (1 week)
* Bell Biv DeVoe (3 weeks)
* Regina Belle (1 week)
* The Boys (1 week)
* Mariah Carey (3 weeks)
* En Vogue (3 weeks)
* Johnny Gill (5 weeks, inc. 2 weeks with Stacy Lattisaw)
* Whitney Houston (2 weeks)
* Janet Jackson (2 weeks)
* Quincy Jones (4 weeks, inc. 2 weeks with Ray Charles and Chaka Khan; 1 week with Al B. Sure!, James Ingram, El DeBarge and Barry White; 1 week with Tevin Campbell)
* Stacy Lattisaw with Johnny Gill (2 weeks)
* M.C. Hammer (1 week)
* Pebbles (3 weeks)
* Prince (1 week)
* Samuelle (2 weeks)
* Skyy (1 week)
* Lisa Stansfield (3 weeks)
* Keith Sweat (1 week)
* The Time (1 week)
* Tony! Toni! Tone! (6 weeks)
* Ralph Tresvant (1 week)
* Troop (3 weeks)
* Ruby Turner (1 week)

## 1991

* Boyz II Men (1 week)
* Peabo Bryson (2 weeks)
* Mariah Carey (1 week)
* C & C Music Factory feat. Freedom Williams (1 week)
* Color Me Badd (3 weeks)
* Damian Dame (2 weeks)
* DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince (1 week)
* En Vogue (1 week)
* Lisa Fischer (2 weeks)
* Johnny Gill (1 week)
* Hi-Five (3 weeks)
* Whitney Houston (2 weeks)
* Phyllis Hyman (1 week)
* Freddie Jackson (3 weeks)
* Jodeci (2 weeks)
* Levert (1 week)
* Gerald Levert (1 week)
* Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam (1 week)
* Pebbles (2 weeks)
* Teddy Pendergrass (1 week)
* Phil Perry (1 week)
* The Rude Boys (2 weeks)
* Shanice (4 weeks)
* Tracie Spencer (1 week)
* Surface (1 week)
* Keith Sweat (1 week)
* Tony! Toni! Tone! (2 weeks)
* Luther Vandross (2 weeks)
* Keith Washington (1 week)
* Karyn White (1 week)
* Christopher Williams (1 week)
* Vanessa Williams (2 weeks)
* BeBe & CeCe Winans (3 weeks, inc. 1 week feat. Mavis Staples)

## 1992

* Al B. Sure! (1 week)
* Mariah Carey (3 weeks)
* Arrested Development (1 week)
* Mary J. Blige (3 weeks)
* Chuckii Booker (1 week)
* Boyz II Men (5 weeks)
* Bobby Brown (2 weeks)
* Tevin Campbell (2 weeks)
* En Vogue (3 weeks)
* Aaron Hall (2 weeks)
* Whitney Houston (11 weeks)
* Miki Howard (1 week)
* Michael Jackson (3 weeks)
* Jodeci (4 weeks)
* Glenn Jones (1 week)
* R. Kelly and Public Announcement (3 weeks)
* Gerald Levert (1 week)
* Lo-Key? (1 week)
* Prince (1 week)
* Lionel Richie (1 week)
* Lisa Stansfield (1 week)
* Keith Sweat (2 weeks)
* TLC (2 weeks)
* Troop (1 week)
* Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson with BBD and Ralph Tresvant (1 week)
* Vanessa Williams (3 weeks)

## 1993

* Tevin Campbell (3 weeks)
* Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Doggy Dogg (2 weeks)
* D.R.S. (6 weeks)
* Mariah Carey (10 weeks)
* H-Town (4 weeks)
* Ice Cube featuring Das EFX (1 week)
* Janet Jackson (4 weeks)
* Jodeci (4 weeks)
* Naughty By Nature (1 week)
* Silk (8 weeks)
* SWV (Sisters With Voices) (9 weeks)
* Tag Team (1 week)
* Xscape (4 weeks)

## 1994

* Aaliyah (3 weeks)
* Mariah Carey (2 weeks)
* Boyz II Men (9 weeks)
* Brandy (4 weeks)
* Janet Jackson (10 weeks)
* Jodeci (4 weeks)
* R. Kelly (12 weeks)
* TLC (9 weeks)
* Barry White (3 weeks)
* Xscape (2 weeks)

## 1995

* Brandy (4 weeks)
* Mariah Carey (6 weeks)
* Whitney Houston (8 weeks)
* Michael Jackson (4 weeks)
* Montell Jordan (7 weeks)
* R. Kelly (1 week)
* Method Man feat. Mary J. Blige (3 weeks)
* Monica (2 weeks)
* The Notorious B.I.G. (9 weeks)
* Shaggy (1 week)
* Soul For Real (3 weeks)
* Xscape (1 week)

## 1996

* Monica (2 weeks)
* Mary J. Blige (5 weeks)
* R. Kelly (15 weeks inc. 1 with Ronald Isley)
* SWV (1 week)
* Mariah Carey (1 week)
* Bone Thugs N Harmony (7 weeks)
* Toni Braxton (2 weeks)
* 2Pac (3 weeks)
* K-Ci & JoJo (3 weeks with 2Pac)
* Roger Troutman (3 weeks with 2Pac)
* Keith Sweat (6 weeks inc. 3 with Athena Cage)
* New Edition (3 weeks)
* Aaliyah (2 weeks)
* Az Yet (1 week)
* Blackstreet (4 weeks)
* Dr. Dre (4 weeks with Blackstreet)
* Ginuwine (2 weeks)

## 1997

* En Vogue (1 week)
* Mariah Carey (3 weeks)
* Erykah Badu (2 weeks)
* Dru Hill (3 weeks)
* Puff Daddy (14 weeks)
* The Notorious B.I.G. (3 weeks)
* Changing Faces (7 weeks)
* Mase (6 weeks with Puff Daddy)
* Faith Evans (8 weeks with Puff Daddy)
* Usher (11 weeks)
* LSG (7 weeks)
* Boyz II Men (2 weeks)
* 112 (8 weeks with Puff Daddy)

## 1998

* Boyz II Men (1 week)
* LSG (2 weeks)
* Usher (8 weeks)
* Destiny's Child (1 week)
* Montell Jordan (3 weeks)
* Next (3 weeks)
* Janet Jackson (2 weeks)
* Brandy (8 weeks)
* Monica (14 weeks)
* Kelly Price (5 weeks)
* Dru Hill (3 weeks)
* Deborah Cox (8 weeks)

## Sources

* ↑ Joel Whitburn's "Top R&B Singles" (ISBN 0-89820-115-2).