Draft:2021 in rhythm and blues music

This article summarizes the events, album releases, and album release dates in rhythm and blues for the year 2021.

January

 * On January 8, Jay W. McGee died at the age of 70. Michael Fonfara died at the age of 74.
 * On January 16, Phil Spector died at the age of 81. Little Walter DeVenne died at the age of 73.
 * On January 18, Jimmie Rodgers died at the age of 87.
 * On January 29, Grady Gaines died at the age of 86.

February

 * On February 4, Jessie Smith died at the age of 79. Nolan Porter died at the age of 71. Gil Saunders died.
 * On February 8, Mary Wilson died at the age of 76.
 * On February 14, Ari Gold died at the age of 47.
 * On February 17, Gene Summers died at the age of 82.

March

 * On March 2, Chris Barber died at the age of 90.
 * On March 3, DJ Advicer died.
 * On March 15, Doug Parkinson died at the age of 74.
 * On March 17, Gerhard Augustin died at the age of 79.
 * On March 19, Margie Evans died at the age of 81.
 * On March 29, Trisha Cee was killed at the age of 26.

April

 * On April 1, Quindon Tarver was killed at the age of 38.
 * On April 10, Bob Porter died at the age of 80. Quinton Claunch died at the age of 99.
 * On April 30, John Dee Holeman died at the age of 92.

May

 * On May 7, Cassiano died at the age of 77.
 * On May 20, Roger Hawkins died at the age of 75.
 * On May 26, Red Top Young died at the age of 85.
 * On May 31, Lloyd Price died at the age of 88.

June

 * On June 8, Dean Parrish died at the age of 78.
 * On June 20, Ike Stubblefield died at the age of 69.
 * On June 25, Lou Courtney died.

July

 * On July 1, Anthony Reynard Watson died at the age of 64. Steve Kekana died at the age of 63.
 * On July 5, Raffaella Carrà died at the age of 78.
 * On July 7, Sam Reed died at the age of 85.
 * On July 11, Sound Sultan died at the age of 44.
 * On July 13, Bob Sargeant died.
 * On July 18, Winston Soso died at the age of 69.
 * On July 21, Clarence McDonald died at the age of 76.

August

 * On August 7, Dennis "Dee Tee" Thomas died at the age of 70.
 * On August 8, Bruce Conte died.
 * On August 9, Chucky Thompson died at the age of 53. Siti Sarah died at the age of 36.
 * On August 11, Mike Finnigan died at the age of 76.
 * On August 16, Clifford Coulter died.
 * On August 21, Don Everly died at the age of 84.
 * On August 27, Sam Salter died at the age of 46.

September

 * On September 1, Waldo Holmes died.
 * On September 2, Baron Browne died at the age of 61.
 * On September 8, Robin Russell died at the age of 69.
 * On September 12, Melvin Dunlap died.
 * On September 20, Sarah Dash died at the age of 76.
 * On September 23, Pee Wee Ellis died at the age of 80.
 * On September 27, Andrea Martin died at the age of 49.
 * On September 28, Dr. Lonnie Smith died at the age of 79.
 * On September 29, Julia Nixon died at the age of 66.

October

 * On October 11, Deon Estus died at the age of 65. Emani 22 died at the age of 22.
 * On October 25, Herbie Herbert died at the age of 73.

November

 * On November 11, Graeme Edge died at the age of 80.
 * On November 13, Philip Margo died at the age of 79.
 * On November 18, Slide Hampton died at the age of 89.
 * On November 30, Kal Rudman died at the age of 91.

December

 * On December 3, Melvin Parker died at the age of 77.
 * On December 9, David Lasley died at the age of 74.
 * On December 13, Joe Simon died at the age of 85.
 * On December 14, Phil Chen died at the age of 80.
 * On December 15, Wanda Young died at the age of 78.