There are NO Iconic Singers in this Era.

[8WON6]

Record labels killed off black R&B and made white R&B/pop.

 

[Knicksman20]

These nikkas are zesty AF but there really aren't vocalists singing like them in the industry now. Voices like these were pretty common back in the day but now, singing like this isn't popular. And you'll here the church influence immediately

 

[Seoul Gleou]

imagine thinking you could put The Weeknd in the same category as McKnight, Vandross, Houston, and Carey

imagine that

 

[Hathaway]

R Kelly isn’t an amazing vocalist either

 

[concise]

Breh,

1. I DO listen to Gospel Music, raised in the Black American Church. I also listen to QUALITY R&B Singers, NOT THAT MODERN GARBAGE "R&B"!
2. GOSPEL MUSIC is the ROOT of both R&B and SOUL Music, THIS IS NOT UP FOR "DEBATE"
3. "Going to Church to learn how to sing...., BLAH, BLAH, BLAH" <--- R&B STARTED with GOSPEL MUSIC, NOT UP FOR "DEBATE"
4. Joe Jackson and Family were Jehovah's Witnesses, Michael got his start singing in the church.

LINK: Michael Jackson: A Gospel Singer At Heart​

All of the Major "Iconic" Black Singers, either Grew up singing in the Church or,
were INSPIRED by other singers who Grew up singing in the Church!

That is unsourced.

MJ grew up as a Jehovah's Witness. He was trained by his dad and grew up singing in clubs and talent shows.

 

[Ty Daniels]

 

[Saysumthinfunnymike]

Outrageous. Rubi Rose is a household name to me.

 

[⠀X ⠀]

True. We need to bring back standards to Black music.

 

[Caponeflowers]

Another Reason why R&B is better than hip hop, Singers defined eras, this Era there are less true singers, majority are doing that sing rap thing

 

[Premeditated]

I wouldn’t say there’s none.

You mentioned The Weeknd but I think he’s pretty talented and iconic. Same with Chris Brown.

Not a big fan of Drake or Rihanna but they’re definitely iconic.

Bruno Mars is also very talented.

I think my generation just has less, because everyone is lazy and does the same shyt.

The Weeknd and Chris brown aren't vocalist. I say that as one of the earliest HOB Weeknd fan. None of these people you listed are what you would call vocalist. Maybe Bruno Mars

 

[Lootha VanDraws]

What about the gawd Miguel?

 

[DaKidFromNoWhere]

OP has a point tho
While there is good R&B music you can come across there is no one that is iconic.
The day the put Sam Smith on a pedestal is the day they stopped pushing black artist that had soul.

 

[Westbama Heartthrob]

What about the gawd Miguel?

He's got the talent but not the popularity

Wank Ocean gets more love despite him not giving a fukk about music anymore