A Few Underrated R&B Artists From The 90s

While the 90s were dominated by juggernauts like Boyz II Men and TLC, as well as Erykah Badu, D'Angelo and others, the decade also featured artists whose contributions to New Jack Swing and the "neo-soul" sound are often overlooked.

Solo Artists

Chico DeBarge: The youngest sibling of the famous DeBarge family re-emerged in the late 90s with Long Time No See (1997), an introspective project featuring sultry hits like "Iggin' Me".

Chanté Moore: Often compared to Mary J. Blige as a "rookie of the year" in 1992, Moore is noted for her high musicality on tracks like "Love's Taken Over".

Chuckii Booker: A multi-instrumentalist who blended New Jack Swing with funk. His 1992 album Niice 'n Wiild featured the No. 1 R&B hit "Games".

Adriana Evans: Her self-titled 1997 debut is considered a "hidden gem" of the early neo-soul era, mixing jazz inflections with classic soul.

Glenn Jones: Cited as an underappreciated "sanger" with deep roots in the gospel-influenced R&B style. 

Groups

• Intro: Led by the late Kenny Greene, this trio was pivotal in evolving New Jack Swing into hip-hop soul with hits like "Let Me Be the One".

• Total: Known for their work on Bad Boy Records, they are frequently called one of the most underrated girl groups for tracks like "Trippin'".

• Groove Theory: This duo’s 1995 debut helped pioneer the neo-soul wave, driven by Amel Larrieux’s wistful vocals on the hit "Tell Me".

• After 7: Comprised of Babyface’s brothers and Keith Mitchell, they produced smooth, Babyface-crafted hits like "Ready or Not".

• Hi-Five: Despite massive hits like "I Like The Way (The Kissing Game)," the group is often "slept on" due to frequent lineup changes throughout the 90s.

• Society of Soul: A project from the legendary production team Organized Noize (who produced TLC’s "Waterfalls"), their album Brainchild is a lush, imaginative staple of the mid-90s Atlanta scene. 

Other Notable Mentions

• AZ Yet: Known for their smooth harmonies on their self-titled album and hits like "Last Night".

• Brownstone: Highly regarded for their original vocal arrangements, particularly on "If You Love Me".

• Jade: A powerhouse trio best remembered for the high-energy "Don't Walk Away"