The 'Step Up 3D' soundtrack is a collection of songs by some of the hottest names in R&B, but even among such good company, Trey Songz manages to stand out with 'Already Taken.' Songz sings about putting his "player" days behind him and settling down with the girl of his dreams. "There's a lot of girls up in this club," Songz sings, "but, baby, I'm taken."
Twenty-three-year-old Dondria is an Internet success story, having been discovered by producer Jermaine Dupri after gaining a following on YouTube. Her debut single, 'You're the One,' is highlighted by a rhythmic, spiritual vocal mix and a church organ -- successfully fusing R&B with gospel.
Queens, N.Y., rapper Nicki Minaj takes 'No More I Love You's' and turns it on its head -- using a sample from the 1995 Annie Lennox hit as the base for an Auto-Tune-heavy song about the "illest shawty" around. Minaj's clever lyrics and flow name-drop Bruce Willis, Eminem and Tracy McGrady -- and earn her a spot at the top of Billboard's Rap Songs chart, the first time in eight years for any solo female artist to do so.
Featuring a sample of the 1981 Deniece Williams hit 'Silly,' 'Everything to Me' is the first single from Monica's latest album, 'Still Standing.' Though past Monica hits like 'Angel of Mine' and 'For You I Will' had more of a mainstream pop edge, 'Everything to Me' is one of the more soulful tracks she has recorded in recent years, thanks to Missy Elliott, who co-produced the song.
Six years after bursting onto the scene by singing about her "goodies," Ciara claims a spot among this year's top R&B songs with the equally suggestive 'Ride,' the lead single from her fourth album, 'Basic Instinct.' Co-written and produced by R&B hitmakers Tricky Stewart and The-Dream, 'Ride' is powered by a hypnotic bass line and a humorous verse from guest rapper Luda.
Usher has been scoring hits longer than anyone on this list, with 'OMG' becoming the ninth chart-topper of his career on the pop chart. The R&B crooner's vocals are complemented by stadium-style chanting in the background, thanks to Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am, who not only produced the track but adds auto-tuned vocals to make 'OMG' one of the top R&B songs of 2010 so far.
Jaheim's 2010 album 'Another Round' has earned him comparisons to Teddy Pendergrass and Luther Vandross, and with singles like 'Finding My Way Back,' it's no wonder. The song is pure soul, with gentle guitars and flutes co-existing with Jaheim's restrained vocal delivery. Jaheim uses the metaphor of ships passing in the night to describe his desire to rekindle an old romance that has grown apart.
The follow-up single to 'OMG,' 'There Goes My Baby' is a romantic slow jam, featuring Usher singing about his love for a special lady. His impressive vocal performance includes a touch of falsetto and layered background vocals. "You don't know how good it feels to call you my girl," Usher coos to the object of his affection.
On the smash hit 'Un-thinkable (I'm Ready),' featuring Canadian rapper Drake, Alicia Keys yearns for a relationship with a man she desires, singing, "You give me a feeling that I never felt before/It's becoming something that's impossible to ignore." The song's portrayal of longing and devotion -- while questioning the next steps in the relationship -- connects with fans, making it our top R&B contender so far.
