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.^[1]

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:

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.

As well as the R&B best sellers (BS) chart, between 1948-1957 there was also an R&B juke box (JB) chart, and from 1955-58 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.

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)

Sources