Everipedia Logo
Everipedia is now IQ.wiki - Join the IQ Brainlist and our Discord for early access to editing on the new platform and to participate in the beta testing.
Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance

Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance

The Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance was awarded between 1968 and 2011. The award has had several minor name changes:

  • In 1968 it was awarded as Best R&B Solo Vocal Performance, Male

  • From 1969 to 1994 it was awarded as Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male

  • Since 1995 it has been awarded as Best Male R&B Vocal Performance

The award category was discontinued in 2012 as part of a major overhaul of the Grammy categories. It was merged with Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals into a single category for Best R&B Performance.

Years reflect the year in which the Grammy Awards were presented, for works released in the previous year.

Recipients

Year[I]Winner(s)PerformanceNomineesRef.
1967Ray Charles"Crying Time"
  • "It's A Man's Man's Man's World" – James Brown
  • "Love Is a Hurtin' Thing" – Lou Rawls
  • "Uptight (Everything's Alright)" – Stevie Wonder
  • "When a Man Loves a Woman" – Percy Sledge
[1][2]
1968Lou Rawls"Dead End Street"
  • "Funky Broadway" – Wilson Pickett
  • "Higher and Higher" – Jackie Wilson
  • "Skinny Legs and All" – Joe Tex
  • "Try A Little Tenderness" – Otis Redding
[1][3]
1969Otis Redding"(Sittin' on) the Dock of the Bay"
  • "For Once in My Life" – Stevie Wonder
  • "(You Keep Me) Hangin' On" – Joe Simon
  • "I Heard It through the Grapevine" – Marvin Gaye
  • "Who's Making Love" – Johnnie Taylor
[1][4]
1970Joe Simon"The Chokin' Kind"
  • Doing His ThingRay Charles
  • The Ice Man Cometh – Jerry Butler
  • Live & Well – B.B. King
  • "Your Good Thing (Is About to End)" – Lou Rawls
[1][5]
1971B.B. King"The Thrill Is Gone"
  • "Get Me Back On Time, Engine Number 9" – Wilson Pickett
  • "Patches" – Clarence Carter
  • "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" – Stevie Wonder
  • "War" – Edwin Starr
[1][6]
1972Lou Rawls"A Natural Man"
  • "Ain't Nobody Home" – B.B. King
  • Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) – Marvin Gaye
  • Never Can Say Goodbye – Isaac Hayes
  • We Can Work It Out – Stevie Wonder
[1][7]
1973Billy Paul"Me and Mrs. Jones"
  • "Drowning in the Sea of Love" – Joe Simon
  • "Freddie's Dead" – Curtis Mayfield
  • "I Gotcha" – Joe Tex
  • "Look What They've Done To My Song, Ma" – Ray Charles
[1][8]
1974Stevie Wonder"Superstition"
  • "Call Me (Come Back Home)" – Al Green
  • "I'm Gonna Love You Just a Little More Baby" – Barry White
  • "Keep on Truckin'" – Eddie Kendricks
  • "Let's Get It On" – Marvin Gaye
[1][9]
1975Stevie Wonder"Boogie on Reggae Woman"
  • "Boogie Down" – Eddie Kendricks
  • "Hang on in There Baby" – Johnny Bristol
  • Marvin Gaye Live! – Marvin Gaye
  • "Rock Your Baby" – George McCrae
[1][10]
1976Ray CharlesLiving for the City
  • Chocolate Chip – Isaac Hayes
  • "L.O.V.E." – Al Green
  • "Love Won't Let Me Wait" – Major Harris
  • "Supernatural Thing, Part I" – Ben E. King
[1][11]
1977Stevie Wonder"I Wish"
  • "Disco Lady" – Johnnie Taylor
  • "Groovy People" – Lou Rawls
  • "I Need You, You Need Me" – Joe Simon
  • "I Want You" – Marvin Gaye
  • "Lowdown" – Boz Scaggs
[1][12]
1978Lou RawlsUnmistakably Lou
  • "A Real Mother For Ya" – Johnny "Guitar" Watson
  • "Ain't Gonna Bump No More (With No Big Fat Woman)" – Joe Tex
  • "Got To Give It Up (Part 1)" – Marvin Gaye
  • "It's Just a Matter of Time" – B.B. King
[1][13]
1979George Benson"On Broadway"
  • "Close the Door" – Teddy Pendergrass
  • "Dance with Me" – Peter Brown
  • "I Can See Clearly Now" – Ray Charles
  • "When You Hear Lou, You've Heard It All" – Lou Rawls
[1][14]
1980Michael Jackson"Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough"
  • "Cruisin'" – Smokey Robinson
  • "Don't Let Go" – Isaac Hayes
  • "Love Ballad" – George Benson
  • "Mama Can't Buy You Love" – Elton John
  • "Some Enchanted Evening" – Ray Charles
[1][15]
1981George BensonGive Me the Night
  • "Let's Get Serious" – Jermaine Jackson
  • "Master Blaster (Jammin')" – Stevie Wonder
  • "Never Givin' Up" – Al Jarreau
  • One in a Million YouLarry Graham
[1][16]
1982James Ingram"One Hundred Ways"
  • "I Can't Live Without Your Love" – Teddy Pendergrass
  • Never Too Much – Luther Vandross
  • "She's a Bad Mama Jama (She's Built, She's Stacked)" – Carl Carlton
  • Street Songs – Rick James
[1][16]
1983Marvin Gaye"Sexual Healing"
  • "Do I Do" – Stevie Wonder
  • "Forever, For Always, For Love" – Luther Vandross
  • "The Other Woman" – Ray Parker, Jr.
  • "Turn Your Love Around" – George Benson
[1][16]
1984Michael Jackson"Billie Jean"
  • "International Lover" – Prince
  • Midnight Love – Marvin Gaye
  • "Party Animal" – James Ingram
  • Stay With Me Tonight – Jeffrey Osborne
[1][16]
1985Billy Ocean"Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)"
  • Don't Stop – Jeffrey Osborne
  • In the Name of Love – Bill Withers
  • It's Your Night – James Ingram
  • "The Woman In Red" – Stevie Wonder
[1][16]
1986Stevie WonderIn Square Circle
  • Chinese Wall – Philip Bailey
  • High Crime – Al Jarreau
  • The Night I Fell in Love – Luther Vandross
  • "You Are My Lady" – Freddie Jackson
[1][16]
1987James Brown"Living in America"
  • "Give Me The Reason" – Luther Vandross
  • Love ZoneBilly Ocean
  • "The Rain" – Oran "Juice" Jones
  • "Since I Fell For You" – Al Jarreau
[1][16]
1988Smokey Robinson"Just to See Her"[1][16]
1989Terence Trent D'ArbyIntroducing the Hardline According to Terence Trent D'Arby
  • Any Love – Luther Vandross
  • CharactersStevie Wonder
  • Joy – Teddy Pendergrass
  • "Nite and Day" – Al B. Sure!
[1][16]
1990Bobby Brown"Every Little Step"
  • "Batdance" – Prince
  • Heart's Horizon – Al Jarreau
  • "She Won't Talk to Me" – Luther Vandross
  • "We've Saved the Best for Last" – Smokey Robinson
[1][16]
1991Luther Vandross"Here and Now"
  • Johnny Gill – Johnny Gill
  • "Misunderstanding" – Al B. Sure!
  • "Round and Round" – Tevin Campbell
  • "Whip Appeal" – Babyface
[1][16]
1992Luther VandrossPower of Love/Love Power
  • "Can You Stop the Rain" – Peabo Bryson
  • "Gotta Have You" – Stevie Wonder
  • "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart?" – Teddy Pendergrass
  • "Kissing You" – Keith Washington
  • Love Over-DueJames Brown
[1][16]
1993Al JarreauHeaven and Earth
  • "Humpin' Around" – Bobby Brown
  • "Jam" – Michael Jackson
  • "Lost in the Night" – Peabo Bryson
  • T.E.V.I.N. – Tevin Campbell
[1][16]
1994Ray Charles"A Song for You"
  • "Can We Talk" – Tevin Campbell
  • "For the Cool in You" – Babyface
  • "How Deep Is Your Love" – Luther Vandross
  • "Voodoo" – Teddy Pendergrass
[1][16]
1995Babyface"When Can I See You"
  • "Always and Forever" – Luther Vandross
  • "I'm Ready" – Tevin Campbell
  • "Practice What You Preach" – Barry White
  • "Wait for the Magic" – Al Jarreau
[1][16]
1996Stevie Wonder"For Your Love"
  • "Baby's Home" – Barry White
  • "Brown Sugar" – D'Angelo
  • "I Hate U" – Prince
  • "This Is How We Do It" – Montell Jordan
[1][16]
1997Luther Vandross"Your Secret Love"
  • "A Change Is Gonna Come" – Al Green
  • "Lady" – D'Angelo
  • "Like a Woman" – Tony Rich Project
  • "New World Order" – Curtis Mayfield
[1][16]
1998R. Kelly"I Believe I Can Fly"
  • "Back To Living Again" – Curtis Mayfield
  • "For You" – Kenny Lattimore
  • "When You Call On Me / Baby That's When I Come Runnin'" – Luther Vandross
  • "You Make Me Wanna..." – Usher
[1][16]
1999Stevie Wonder"St. Louis Blues"
  • "I Know" – Luther Vandross
  • "Maybe You" – Maxwell
  • "My Way" – Usher
  • "The Only One for Me" – Brian McKnight
[1][16]
2000Barry White"Staying Power"
  • "Did You Ever Know" – Peabo Bryson
  • "Fortunate" – Maxwell
  • "Sweet Lady" – Tyrese
  • "When A Woman's Fed Up" – R. Kelly
[1][16]
2001D'Angelo"Untitled (How Does It Feel)"
  • "I Wanna Know" – Joe
  • "I Wish" – R. Kelly
  • "Stay or Let It Go" – Brian McKnight
  • "Thong Song" – Sisqo
[1][16]
2002Usher"U Remind Me"
  • "Lifetime" – Maxwell
  • "Love" – Musiq Soulchild
  • "Love of My Life" – Brian McKnight
  • "Missing You" – Case
[1][16]
2003Usher"U Don't Have to Call"
  • "Halfcrazy" – Musiq Soulchild
  • "Let's Stay Home Tonight" – Joe
  • "Take a Message" – Remy Shand
  • "The World's Greatest" – R. Kelly
[1][16]
2004Luther Vandross"Dance with My Father"
  • "How You Gonna Act Like That" – Tyrese
  • "Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda" – Brian McKnight
  • "Step in the Name of Love" – R. Kelly
  • "Superstar" – Ruben Studdard
[1][16]
2005Prince"Call My Name"
  • "Burn" – Usher
  • "Charlene" – Anthony Hamilton
  • "Happy People" – R. Kelly
  • "What We Do Here" – Brian McKnight
[1][16]
2006John Legend"Ordinary People"[1][16]
2007John Legend"Heaven"
  • "Black Sweat" – Prince
  • "Got You Home" – Luther Vandross
  • "I Call It Love" – Lionel Richie
  • "So Sick" – Ne-Yo
[1][16]
2008Prince"Future Baby Mama"
  • "Because of You" – Ne-Yo
  • "B.U.D.D.Y." – Musiq Soulchild
  • "Please Don't Go" – Tank
  • "Woman" – Raheem DeVaughn
[1][16]
2009Ne-Yo"Miss Independent"
  • "Can't Help but Wait" – Trey Songz
  • "Here I Stand" – Usher
  • "Take You Down" – Chris Brown
  • "You're the Only One" – Eric Benét
[1][16]
2010Maxwell"Pretty Wings"
  • "The Point Of It All" – Anthony Hamilton
  • "SoBeautiful" – Musiq Soulchild
  • "There Goes My Baby" – Charlie Wilson
  • "Under" – Pleasure P
[1][16]
2011Usher"There Goes My Baby"
  • "Finding My Way Back" – Jaheim
  • "Second Chance" – El DeBarge
  • "We're Still Friends" – Musiq Soulchild
  • "Why Would You Stay" – Kem
[1][16]

Category Records

Most Wins

Rank1st2nd3rd
ArtistStevie WonderLuther VandrossLou Rawls
Usher
Total Wins7 Wins4 wins3 wins

Most Nominations

Rank1st2nd3rd
ArtistStevie WonderLuther VandrossMarvin Gaye
Usher
Total Wins16 nominations15 nominations8 nominations

References

[1]
Citation Linkwww.grammy.com"Past Winners Search". Grammy.Com.
Sep 24, 2019, 1:56 AM
[2]
Citation Linkwww.awardsandshows.com"Grammy Awards 1967". Awards & Shows.
Sep 24, 2019, 1:56 AM
[3]
Citation Linkwww.awardsandshows.com"Grammy Awards 1968". Awards & Shows.
Sep 24, 2019, 1:56 AM
[4]
Citation Linkwww.awardsandshows.com"Grammy Awards 1969". Awards & Shows.
Sep 24, 2019, 1:56 AM
[5]
Citation Linkwww.awardsandshows.com"Grammy Awards 1970". Awards & Shows.
Sep 24, 2019, 1:56 AM
[6]
Citation Linkwww.awardsandshows.com"Grammy Awards 1971". Awards & Shows.
Sep 24, 2019, 1:56 AM
[7]
Citation Linkwww.awardsandshows.com"Grammy Awards 1972". Awards & Shows.
Sep 24, 2019, 1:56 AM
[8]
Citation Linkwww.awardsandshows.com"Grammy Awards 1973". Awards & Shows.
Sep 24, 2019, 1:56 AM
[9]
Citation Linkwww.awardsandshows.com"Grammy Awards 1974". Awards & Shows.
Sep 24, 2019, 1:56 AM
[10]
Citation Linkwww.awardsandshows.com"Grammy Awards 1975". Awards & Shows.
Sep 24, 2019, 1:56 AM
[11]
Citation Linkwww.awardsandshows.com"Grammy Awards 1976". Awards & Shows.
Sep 24, 2019, 1:56 AM
[12]
Citation Linkwww.awardsandshows.com"Grammy Awards 1977". Awards & Shows.
Sep 24, 2019, 1:56 AM
[13]
Citation Linkwww.awardsandshows.com"Grammy Awards 1978". Awards & Shows.
Sep 24, 2019, 1:56 AM
[14]
Citation Linkwww.awardsandshows.com"Grammy Awards 1979". Awards & Shows.
Sep 24, 2019, 1:56 AM
[15]
Citation Linkwww.awardsandshows.com"Grammy Awards 1980". Awards & Shows.
Sep 24, 2019, 1:56 AM
[16]
Citation Linkwww.rockonthenet.com"Grammy Awards: Best R&B Vocal Performance - Male". Rock on the Net.
Sep 24, 2019, 1:56 AM
[17]
Citation Linkwww.grammy.comOfficial Site of the Grammy Awards
Sep 24, 2019, 1:56 AM
[18]
Citation Linkwww.grammy.com"Past Winners Search"
Sep 24, 2019, 1:56 AM
[19]
Citation Linkwww.awardsandshows.com"Grammy Awards 1967"
Sep 24, 2019, 1:56 AM
[20]
Citation Linkwww.awardsandshows.com"Grammy Awards 1968"
Sep 24, 2019, 1:56 AM