Seven 2000s Female R&B Artists That Have Made Their Return
Y2K influences are ever-present in 2025 fashion and culture, but bringing the feeling back to music are female R&B vocalists that have recently made strong comebacks. Releasing her first album in 15 years and third overall on April 18 is Keri Hilson. Former teen vocalists Karina Pasian and Tiffany Evans are now grown and have released new singles that reflect their maturation. Rather than competing with each other, the R&B ladies, who came into prominence during the 2000s, are demonstrating that there’s still room for each other in the genre.
Below, we look into seven new singles from the singers above, along with Ciara, Melanie Fiona, Amerie and Elle Varner.
Amerie - “Mine”
R&B legend and author Amerie, who last released two EPs in 2018, gets intimate on her quiet storm-influenced new single, “Mine.” If this is the tone that the D.C. native is setting in 2025, we need her fourth album immediately.
Ciara - "Ecstasy"
Seven albums in and still at the top of her game is Ciara, who recently dropped "Ecstasy," a smooth follow-up to her classics like "Promise" and "Body Party."
Elle Varner - “Fallin’ Up”
Elle Varner last released her second album, “Ellevation,” in 2019, but to kick off 2025, she slowed it down on her ethereal and acoustic track, “Fallin’ Up.”
Karina Pasian - “Rent Free”
After starting as an R&B vocalist on her 2008 debut, “16 @ War,” Karina Pasian has embraced more experimental sounds since her 2020 project, “Something Warm to Wear.” On the new song, “Rent Free,” she brushes off the haters with attitude and ease.
Keri Hilson - “Bae”
Keri Hilson, who drops her comeback LP, “We Need to Talk,” this week, has been sorely missed since her 2010 album, “No Boys Allowed.” To hold fans over, last month, she dropped the Hurricane Chris-sampling “Bae.”
Melanie Fiona - "Mona Lisa Smile"
On a consistent run for the past few months is Melanie Fiona, who's released three singles: "Mona Lisa Smile," "I Choose You" and "Say Yes."
Tiffany Evans - “Would You”
With ‘90s appeal, Tiffany Evans seduces on “Would You,” proving that she’s grown up since her 2008 self-titled album.
