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: 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.
 * 1) sometimes the No. 1 place was shared
 * 2) 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.

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)