The Grammy Award for Best R&B Song (sometimes known as the R&B Songwriter's Award) has been awarded since 1969. From 1969 to 2000, it was known as the Grammy Award for Best Rhythm and Blues Song. Beyoncé has won it a record five times, while Babyface, Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers and Alicia Keys have three wins each.
The award goes to the songwriter. If the winning song contains samples or interpolations of songs, the original songwriter and publisher can apply for a Winner's Certificate. Only Stevie Wonder and SZA have won the award back to back. The performing artist does not receive an award unless they are also credited as a songwriter.
Years reflect the year in which the Grammy Awards were presented, for music released in the previous year.
Recipients
right|upright|thumb|[[Otis Redding, one of the inaugural winners of the award.]]
right|upright|thumb|[[Steve Cropper, one of the inaugural winners of the award.]]
right|upright|thumb|Five-time award-winning artist [[Beyoncé, she is the most awarded artist in the category.]]
right|upright|thumb|Three-time award winner, [[Bill Withers.]]
right|upright|thumb|Three-time award winner, [[Stevie Wonder.]]
right|upright|thumb|1977 co-winner [[Boz Scaggs.]]
right|upright|thumb|Two-time winner [[Jay Graydon.]]
right|upright|thumb|Two-time winner [[Bill Champlin.]]
right|upright|thumb|1985 winner, [[Prince (musician)|Prince.]]
right|upright|thumb|Two-time winner, [[Anita Baker.]]
right|upright|thumb|1991 co-winner, [[MC Hammer.]]
right|upright|thumb|Four-time winner [[Babyface (musician)|Babyface holds the record of most nominations in the category, with fourteen.]]
right|upright|thumb|1994 winner, [[Janet Jackson.]]
right|upright|thumb|1999 winner, [[Lauryn Hill.]]
right|upright|thumb|Three-time winner [[Alicia Keys.]]
right|upright|thumb|2003 winner, [[Erykah Badu.]]
right|upright|thumb|2006 winner, [[Mariah Carey.]]
right|upright|thumb|2012 co-winner, [[CeeLo Green.]]
right|upright|thumb|2013 winner, [[Miguel (singer)|Miguel.]]
right|upright|thumb|Two-time winner [[Jay Z.]]
right|upright|thumb|2016 winner, [[D'Angelo.]]
right|upright|thumb|2021 co-winner, [[Robert Glasper.]]
right|upright|thumb|2021 co-winner, [[H.E.R.]]
thumb|260x260px|[[SZA has won this award twice consecutively in 2024 and 2025.]]
1960s
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#bebebe"
! width="5%" | Year
! width="30%" | Song
! width="40%" | Songwriter(s)
! width="25%" | Artist(s)
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 1969<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay"
| Steve Cropper and Otis Redding
| Otis Redding
|-
| "Chain of Fools"
| Don Covay
| Aretha Franklin
|-
| "I Wish It Would Rain"
| Roger Penzabene, Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield
| The Temptations
|-
| "Pickin' Wild Mountain Berries"
| Bob McRee, Clifton Thomas and Edward Thomas
| Peggy Scott and Jo Jo Benson
|-
| "Who's Making Love"
| Homer Banks, Bettye Crutcher, Donald Davis and Raymond Jackson
| Johnnie Taylor
|-
|}
1970s
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#bebebe"
! width="5%" | Year
! width="30%" | Song
! width="40%" | Songwriter(s)
! width="25%" | Artist(s)
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 1970<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Color Him Father"
| Richard Spencer
| The Winstons
|-
| "Backfield in Motion"
| Melvin Harden and Herbert McPherson
| Mel & Tim
|-
| "I'd Rather Be an Old Man's Sweetheart"
| Clarence Carter, George Jackson and Raymond Moore
| Candi Staton
|-
| "It's Your Thing"
| Ronald Isley, Rudolph Isley and O'Kelly Isley Jr.
| The Isley Brothers
|-
| "Only the Strong Survive"
| Jerry Butler, Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff
| Jerry Butler
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 1971<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Patches"
| Ronald Dunbar and General Johnson
| Clarence Carter
|-
| "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)"
| Thom Bell and William Hart
| The Delfonics
|-
| "Groovy Situation"
| Herman Davis and Russell Lewis
| Gene Chandler
|-
| "Signed, Sealed, Delivered"
| Lee Garrett, Lula Hardaway, Stevie Wonder and Syreeta Wright
| Stevie Wonder
|-
| "Somebody's Been Sleeping"
| Angelo Bond, General Johnson and Greg Perry
| 100 Proof
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 1972<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Ain't No Sunshine"
| Bill Withers
| Bill Withers
|-
| "If I Were Your Woman"
| Clay McMurray, Pamela Sawyer and Laverne Ware
| Gladys Knight and the Pips
|-
| "Mr. Big Stuff"
| Joseph Broussard, Carrol Washington and Ralph Williams
| Jean Knight
|-
| "Never Can Say Goodbye"
| Clifton Davis
| Isaac Hayes / The Jackson 5
|-
| "Smiling Faces Sometimes"
| Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield
| The Undisputed Truth
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 1973<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone"
| Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield
| The Temptations
|-
| "Back Stabbers"
| Leon Huff, Gene McFadden and John Whitehead
| The O'Jays
|-
| "Everybody Plays the Fool"
| J.R. Bailey, Rudy Clark and Kenny Williams
| The Main Ingredient
|-
| "Freddie's Dead"
| Curtis Mayfield
| Curtis Mayfield
|-
| "Me and Mrs. Jones"
| Kenneth Gamble, Cary Gilbert and Leon Huff
| Billy Paul
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 1974<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Superstition"
| Stevie Wonder
| Stevie Wonder
|-
| "The Cisco Kid"
| War
| War
|-
| "Family Affair"
| Sylvester Stewart
| Sly and the Family Stone
|-
| "Love Train"
| Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff
| The O'Jays
|-
| "Midnight Train to Georgia"
| Jim Weatherly
| Gladys Knight and the Pips
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 1975<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Living for the City"
| Stevie Wonder
| Stevie Wonder
|-
| "Dancing Machine"
| Hal Davis, Don Fletcher and Dean Parks
| The Jackson 5
|-
| "For the Love of Money"
| Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff and Anthony Jackson
| The O'Jays
|-
| "Rock Your Baby"
| Harry Wayne Casey
| George McCrae
|-
| "Tell Me Something Good"
| Stevie Wonder
| Rufus
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 1976<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Where Is the Love"
| Harry Wayne Casey, Willie Clarke, Richard Finch and Betty Wright
| Betty Wright
|-
| "Ease on Down the Road"
| Charlie Smalls
| Diana Ross and Michael Jackson
|-
| "Get Down Tonight"
| rowspan=2| Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch
| rowspan=2| KC and the Sunshine Band
|-
| "That's the Way (I Like It)"
|-
| "Walking in Rhythm"
| Barney Perry
| The Blackbyrds
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 1977<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Lowdown"
| David Paich and Boz Scaggs
| Boz Scaggs
|-
| "Disco Lady"
| Donald Davis, Harvey Scales and Al Vance
| Johnnie Taylor
|-
| "Love Hangover"
| Marilyn McLeod and Pam Sawyer
| Diana Ross
|-
| "Misty Blue"
| Bob Montgomery
| Dorothy Moore
|-
| "(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty"
| Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch
| KC and the Sunshine Band
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 1978<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing"
| Vini Poncia and Leo Sayer
| Leo Sayer
|-
| "Best of My Love"
| Al McKay and Maurice White
| The Emotions
|-
| "Brick House"
| William King, Ronald LaPread, Thomas McClary, Walter Orange, Lionel Richie and Milan Williams
| Commodores
|-
| "Don't Leave Me This Way"
| Kenneth Gamble, Cary Gilbert and Leon Huff
| Thelma Houston
|-
| "Easy"
| Lionel Richie
| Commodores
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 1979<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Last Dance"
| Paul Jabara
| Donna Summer
|-
| "Boogie Oogie Oogie"
| Janice M. Johnson and Perry Kibble
| A Taste of Honey
|-
| "Dance, Dance, Dance"
| Bernard Edwards, Kenny Lehman and Nile Rodgers
| Chic
|-
| "Fantasy"
| Eddie del Barrio, Maurice White and Verdine White
| Earth, Wind & Fire
|-
| "Use Ta Be My Girl"
| Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff
| The O'Jays
|-
|}
1980s
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#bebebe"
! width="5%" | Year
! width="30%" | Song
! width="40%" | Songwriter(s)
! width="25%" | Artist(s)
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 1980<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "After the Love Has Gone"
| Bill Champlin, David Foster and Jay Graydon
| Earth, Wind & Fire
|-
| "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now"
| Jerry Cohen and Gene McFadden
| McFadden & Whitehead
|-
| "Deja Vu"
| Adrienne Anderson and Isaac Hayes
| Dionne Warwick
|-
| "Reunited"
| Dino Fekaris and Freddie Perren
| Peaches & Herb
|-
| "We Are Family"
| Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers
| Sister Sledge
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 1981<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Never Knew Love Like This Before"
| Reggie Lucas and James Mtume
| Stephanie Mills
|-
| "Give Me the Night"
| Rod Temperton
| George Benson
|-
| "Let's Get Serious"
| Lee Garrett and Stevie Wonder
| Stevie Wonder
|-
| "Shining Star"
| Leo Graham and Paul Richmond
| The Manhattans
|-
| "Upside Down"
| Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers
| Diana Ross
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 1982<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Just the Two of Us"
| Ralph MacDonald, William Salter and Bill Withers
| Grover Washington Jr. and Bill Withers
|-
| "Ai No Corrida"
| Chas Jankel and Kenny Young
| Quincy Jones and Dune
|-
| "Lady (You Bring Me Up)"
| Harold Hudson, Shirley King and William King
| Commodores
|-
| "She's a Bad Mama Jama (She's Built, She's Stacked)"
| Leon Haywood
| Carl Carlton
|-
| "When She Was My Girl"
| Marc Blatte and Larry Gottlieb
| Four Tops
|-
| rowspan="7" style="text-align:center;" | 1983<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Turn Your Love Around"
| Bill Champlin, Jay Graydon and Steve Lukather
| George Benson
|-
| "Do I Do"
| Stevie Wonder
| Stevie Wonder
|-
| "It's Gonna Take a Miracle"
| Teddy Randazzo, Lou Stallman and Bobby Weinstein
| Deniece Williams
|-
| "Let It Whip"
| Reggie Andrews and Leon "Ndugu" Chancler
| Dazz Band
|-
| "Sexual Healing"
| Odell Brown and Marvin Gaye
| Marvin Gaye
|-
| "That Girl"
| Stevie Wonder
| Stevie Wonder
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 1984<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Billie Jean"
| Michael Jackson
| Michael Jackson
|-
| "Ain't Nobody"
| Hawk Wolinski
| Rufus and Chaka Khan
|-
| "Electric Avenue"
| Eddy Grant
| Eddy Grant
|-
| "PYT (Pretty Young Thing)"
| James Ingram and Quincy Jones
| rowspan=2| Michael Jackson
|-
| "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"
| Michael Jackson
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 1985<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "I Feel for You"
| Prince
| Chaka Khan
|-
| "Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)"
| Keith Diamond and Billy Ocean
| Billy Ocean
|-
| "Dancing in the Sheets"
| Dean Pitchford and Bill Wolfer
| Shalamar
|-
| "The Glamorous Life"
| Sheila E.
| Sheila E.
|-
| "Yah Mo B There"
| James Ingram, Quincy Jones, Michael McDonald and Rod Temperton
| James Ingram and Michael McDonald
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 1986<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Freeway of Love"
| Jeffrey Cohen and Narada Michael Walden
| Aretha Franklin
|-
| "New Attitude"
| Jon Gilutin, Bunny Hull and Sharon Robinson
| Patti LaBelle
|-
| "Nightshift"
| Franne Golde, Dennis Lambert and Walter Orange
| Commodores
|-
| "Through the Fire"
| David Foster, Tom Keane and Cynthia Weil
| Chaka Khan
|-
| "You Give Good Love"
| LaLa
| Whitney Houston
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 1987<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Sweet Love"
| Anita Baker, Gary Bias and Louis A. Johnson
| Anita Baker
|-
| "Give Me the Reason"
| Nat Adderley Jr. and Luther Vandross
| Luther Vandross
|-
| "Kiss"
| Prince
| Prince & The Revolution
|-
| "Living in America"
| Dan Hartman and Charlie Midnight
| James Brown
|-
| "What Have You Done For Me Lately"
| Janet Jackson, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
| Janet Jackson
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 1988<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Lean on Me"
| Bill Withers
| Club Nouveau
|-
| "Casanova"
| Reggie Calloway
| LeVert
|-
| "Just to See Her"
| Jimmy George and Lou Pardini
| Smokey Robinson
|-
| "Skeletons"
| Stevie Wonder
| Stevie Wonder
|-
| "U Got the Look"
| Prince
| Prince and Sheena Easton
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 1989<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Giving You the Best That I Got"
| Anita Baker, Randy Holland and Skip Scarborough
| Anita Baker
|-
| "Any Love"
| Marcus Miller and Luther Vandross
| Luther Vandross
|-
| "Don't Be Cruel"
| Babyface, L.A. Reid and Daryl Simmons
| Bobby Brown
|-
| "I'll Always Love You"
| Jimmy George
| Taylor Dayne
|-
| "Just Got Paid"
| Gene Griffin and Johnny Kemp
| Johnny Kemp
|-
|}
1990s
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#bebebe"
! width="5%" | Year
! width="30%" | Song
! width="40%" | Songwriter(s)
! width="25%" | Artist(s)
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 1990<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "If You Don't Know Me by Now"
| Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff
| Simply Red
|-
| "Every Little Step"
| Babyface and L.A. Reid
| Bobby Brown
|-
| "Miss You Much"
| Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
| Janet Jackson
|-
| "Superwoman"
| Babyface, L.A. Reid and Daryl Simmons
| Karyn White
|-
| "When a Man Loves a Woman"
| Calvin Lewis and Andrew Wright
| Joe Cocker
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 1991<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "U Can't Touch This"
| MC Hammer, Rick James and Alonzo Miller
| MC Hammer
|-
| "Alright"
| Janet Jackson, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
| Janet Jackson
|-
| "Here and Now"
| David L. Elliott and Terry Steele
| Luther Vandross
|-
| "I'll Be Good to You"
| George Johnson, Louis A. Johnson and Sonora Sam
| Ray Charles and Chaka Khan
|-
| "My, My, My"
| Babyface, L.A. Reid and Daryl Simmons
| Johnny Gill
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 1992<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Power of Love/Love Power"
| Marcus Miller, Luther Vandross and Teddy Vann
| Luther Vandross
|-
| "Can You Stop the Rain"
| Walter Afanasieff and John Bettis
| Peabo Bryson
|-
| "How Can I Ease the Pain"
| Lisa Fischer and Narada Michael Walden
| Lisa Fischer
|-
| "I Wanna Sex You Up"
| Dr. Freeze
| Color Me Badd
|-
| "I'll Take You There"
| Alvertis Isbell
| BeBe & CeCe Winans featuring Mavis Staples
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 1993<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "End of the Road"
| Babyface, L.A. Reid and Daryl Simmons
| Boyz II Men
|-
| "Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg"
| Dallas Austin and Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes
| TLC
|-
| "I'll Be There"
| Hal Davis, Berry Gordy, Willie Hutch and Bob West
| Mariah Carey and Trey Lorenz
|-
| "Jam"
| Michael Jackson, René Moore, Teddy Riley and Bruce Swedien
| Michael Jackson
|-
| "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)"
| Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy
| En Vogue
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 1994<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "That's the Way Love Goes"
| Janet Jackson, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
| Janet Jackson
|-
| "Anniversary"
| Raphael Saadiq and Carl Wheeler
| Tony! Toni! Toné!
|-
| "Can We Talk"
| Babyface and Daryl Simmons
| Tevin Campbell
|-
| "Heaven Knows"
| Luther Vandross and Reed Vertelney
| rowspan=2| Luther Vandross
|-
| "Little Miracles (Happen Every Day)"
| Marcus Miller and Luther Vandross
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 1995<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "I'll Make Love to You"
| Babyface
| Boyz II Men
|-
| "Body and Soul"
| Rick Nowels and Ellen Shipley
| Anita Baker
|-
| "If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night)"
| Me'Shell Ndegéocello
| Me'Shell Ndegéocello
|-
| "When Can I See You"
| Babyface
| Babyface
|-
| "You Mean the World to Me"
| Babyface, L.A. Reid and Daryl Simmons
| Toni Braxton
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 1996<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "For Your Love"
| Stevie Wonder
| Stevie Wonder
|-
| "Brown Sugar"
| D'Angelo and Ali Shaheed Muhammad
| D'Angelo
|-
| "Creep"
| Dallas Austin
| rowspan=2| TLC
|-
| "Red Light Special"
| rowspan=2| Babyface
|-
| "You Can't Run"
| Vanessa Williams
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 1997<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)"
| Babyface
| Whitney Houston
|-
| "Sittin' Up in My Room"
| Babyface
| Brandy
|-
| "You Put a Move on My Heart"
| Rod Temperton
| Tamia
|-
| "You're Makin' Me High"
| Babyface, Toni Braxton and Bryce Wilson
| Toni Braxton
|-
| "Your Secret Love"
| Luther Vandross and Reed Vertelney
| Luther Vandross
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 1998<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "I Believe I Can Fly"
| R. Kelly
| R. Kelly
|-
| "Honey"
| Mariah Carey, Sean Combs, Kamaal Fareed, Stephen Hague, Steven Jordan, Ronald Larkins, Malcolm McLaren, Larry Price and Bobby Robinson
| Mariah Carey
|-
| "No Diggity"
| Dr. Dre, Chauncey Hannibal, Teddy Riley, William Stewart and Lynise Walters
| Blackstreet featuring Dr. Dre and Queen Pen
|-
| "On & On"
| Erykah Badu and JahBorn Jahmal Cantero
| Erykah Badu
|-
| "Stomp"
| George Clinton Jr., Kirk Franklin, Walter Morrison and Garry M. Shider
| God's Property featuring Kirk Franklin and Cheryl James
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 1999<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Doo Wop (That Thing)"
| Lauryn Hill
| Lauryn Hill
|-
| "All My Life"
| Rory Bennett and JoJo Hailey
| K-Ci & JoJo
|-
| "The Boy Is Mine"
| Brandy, LaShawn Daniels, Fred Jerkins III, Rodney Jerkins and Japhe Tejeda
| Brandy and Monica
|-
| "Lean on Me"
| Kirk Franklin
| Kirk Franklin with Mary J. Blige, R. Kelly, Bono, Crystal Lewis and The Family
|-
| "A Rose Is Still a Rose"
| Lauryn Hill
| Aretha Franklin
|-
|}
2000s
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#bebebe"
! width="5%" | Year
! width="30%" | Song
! width="40%" | Songwriter(s)
! width="25%" | Artist(s)
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 2000<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "No Scrubs"
| Kevin Briggs, Kandi Burruss and Tameka Cottle
| TLC
|-
| "All That I Can Say"
| Lauryn Hill
| Mary J. Blige
|-
| "Bills, Bills, Bills"
| Kevin Briggs, Kandi Burruss, Beyoncé Knowles, LeToya Luckett and Kelly Rowland
| Destiny's Child
|-
| "Heartbreak Hotel"
| Kenneth Karlin, Tamara Savage and Carsten Schack
| Whitney Houston featuring Faith Evans and Kelly Price
|-
| "It's Not Right but It's Okay"
| LaShawn Daniels, Toni Estes, Fred Jerkins III, Rodney Jerkins and Isaac Phillips
| Whitney Houston
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 2001<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Say My Name"
| LaShawn Daniels, Fred Jerkins III, Rodney Jerkins, Beyoncé Knowles, LeToya Luckett, LaTavia Roberson and Kelly Rowland
| Destiny's Child
|-
| "Bag Lady"
| Erykah Badu
| Erykah Badu
|-
| "He Wasn't Man Enough"
| LaShawn Daniels, Fred Jerkins III, Rodney Jerkins and Harvey Mason Jr.
| Toni Braxton
|-
| "Thong Song"
| Desmond Child, Tim Kelley, Bob Robinson, Robi Rosa and Sisqó
| Sisqó
|-
| "Untitled (How Does It Feel)"
| D'Angelo and Raphael Saadiq
| D'Angelo
|-
| rowspan="7" style="text-align:center;" | 2002<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Fallin'"
| Alicia Keys
| Alicia Keys
|-
| "Didn't Cha Know?"
| Erykah Badu, Phil Clendeninn and James Yancy
| Erykah Badu
|-
| "Get Ur Freak On"
| Missy Elliott and Timothy Mosley
| Missy Elliott
|-
| "Hit 'Em Up Style (Oops!)"
| Dallas Austin
| Blu Cantrell
|-
| "Love of My Life"
| Brian McKnight
| Brian McKnight
|-
| "Video"
| Carlos "Six July" Broady, Reginald Harris, India.Arie and Shannon Sanders
| India.Arie
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 2003<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)"
| Erykah Badu, Madukwu Chinwah, Rashid Lonnie Lynn, Robert Ozuna, James Poyser, Raphael Saadiq and Glenn Standridge
| Erykah Badu featuring Common
|-
| "Be Here"
| Michael Archer, Robert Ozuna, Raphael Saadiq and Glenn Standridge
| Raphael Saadiq featuring D'Angelo
|-
| "Floetic"
| Marsha Ambrosius, Darren "Limitless" Henson, Keith Pelzer and Natalie Stewart
| Floetry
|-
| "Good Man"
| Will Baker, India.Arie, Andrew Ramsey, Shannon Sanders and Pete Woodruff
| India.Arie
|-
| "Take a Message"
| Remy Shand
| Remy Shand
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 2004<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Crazy in Love"
| Rich Harrison, Shawn Carter and Beyoncé Knowles
| Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z
|-
| "Comin' from Where I'm From"
| Mark Batson and Anthony Hamilton
| Anthony Hamilton
|-
| "Dance with My Father"
| Richard Marx and Luther Vandross
| Luther Vandross
|-
| "Danger"
| Erykah Badu, James Poyser, B.R. Smith and R.C. Williams
| Erykah Badu
|-
| "Rock wit U (Awww Baby)"
| Ashanti Douglas, Irv Gotti and Andre Parker
| Ashanti
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 2005<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "You Don't Know My Name"
| Alicia Keys, Harold Lilly and Kanye West
| Alicia Keys
|-
| "Burn"
| Bryan Michael Cox, Jermaine Dupri and Usher
| Usher
|-
| "Call My Name"
| Prince
| Prince
|-
| "My Boo"
| Jermaine Dupri, Alicia Keys, Manuel Seal, Adonis Shropshire and Usher
| Usher and Alicia Keys
|-
| "Yeah!"
| Sean Garrett, LaMarquis Jefferson, Lil Jon, Ludacris, Robert McDowell, James Phillips and Patrick J. Que Smith
| Usher featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 2006<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "We Belong Together"
| Johntá Austin, Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri and Manuel Seal Jr.
| Mariah Carey
|-
| "Cater 2 U"
| Rodney Jerkins, Beyoncé Knowles, Ricky Lewis, Kelly Rowland, Robert Waller and Michelle Williams
| Destiny's Child
|-
| "Free Yourself"
| Craig Brockman, Missy Elliott and Nisan Stewart
| Fantasia
|-
| "Ordinary People"
| Will Adams and John Legend
| John Legend
|-
| "Unbreakable"
| Alicia Keys, Harold Lilly and Kanye West
| Alicia Keys
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 2007<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Be Without You"
| Johntá Austin, Mary J. Blige, Bryan-Michael Cox and Jason Perry
| Mary J. Blige
|-
| "Black Sweat"
| Prince
| Prince
|-
| "Déjà Vu"
| Shawn Carter, Rodney Jerkins, Beyoncé Knowles, Keli Nicole Price, Makeba Riddick, Delisha Thomas and John Webb
| Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z
|-
| "Don't Forget About Us"
| Johnta Austin, Mariah Carey, Bryan-Michael Cox and Jermaine Dupri
| Mariah Carey
|-
| "I Am Not My Hair"
| India.Arie, Andrew Ramsey and Shannon Sanders
| India.Arie
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 2008<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "No One"
| Kerry "Krucial" Brothers, Dirty Harry and Alicia Keys
| Alicia Keys
|-
| "Beautiful Flower"
| India.Arie and Joyce Simpson
| India.Arie
|-
| "Hate That I Love You"
| Mikkel Eriksen, Tor Hermansen and Shaffer Smith
| Rihanna featuring Ne-Yo
|-
| "Teachme"
| Ivan Barias, Adam W. Blackstone, Randy Bowland, Carvin Haggins, Johnnie Smith II and Corey Williams
| Musiq Soulchild
|-
| "When I See U"
| Louis Biancaniello, Waynne Nugent, Erika Nuri, Kevin Risto, Janet Swel and Sam Watters
| Fantasia
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 2009<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Miss Independent"
| Mikkel Eriksen, Tor Hermansen and Ne-Yo
| Ne-Yo
|-
| "Bust Your Windows"
| Salaam Remi and Jazmine Sullivan
| Jazmine Sullivan
|-
| "Customer"
| Ivan Barias, Raheem DeVaughn, Carvin Haggins, Kristal Oliver and Johnnie Smith
| Raheem DeVaughn
|-
| "Heaven Sent"
| Keyshia Cole, Jason Farmer and Alex Francis
| Keyshia Cole
|-
| "Spotlight"
| Mikkel Eriksen, Tor Hermansen and Ne-Yo
| Jennifer Hudson
|-
|}
2010s
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#bebebe"
! width="5%" | Year
! width="25%" | Song
! width="45%" | Songwriter(s)
! width="25%" | Artist(s)
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 2010<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)"
| Kuk Harrell, Beyoncé Knowles, Terius Nash and Christopher Stewart
| Beyoncé
|-
| "Blame It"
| James T. Brown, John Conte, Jamie Foxx, Christopher Henderson, Brandon Melancon, Faheem Najm, Terius Nash, Breyon Prescott, Christopher Stewart and Nathan Walker
| Jamie Foxx featuring T-Pain
|-
| "Lions, Tigers & Bears"
| Salaam Remi and Jazmine Sullivan
| Jazmine Sullivan
|-
| "Pretty Wings"
| Hod David and Musze
| Maxwell
|-
| "Under"
| Durrell Babbs, Lonny Bereal, Marcus Cooper, Antonio Dixon, Jerry Franklin, Thai Jones, Robert Newt and Kristina Stephens
| Pleasure P
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 2011<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Shine"
| John Legend
| John Legend and The Roots
|-
| "Bittersweet"
| Charles Harmon and Claude Kelly
| Fantasia
|-
| "Finding My Way Back"
| Ivan Barias, Curt Chambers, Carvin Haggins, Jaheim Hoagland and Miguel Jontel
| Jaheim
|-
| "Second Chance"
| El DeBarge and Mischke
| El DeBarge
|-
| "Why Would You Stay"
| Kem Owens
| Kem
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 2012<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Fool for You"
| Melanie Fiona, CeeLo Green and Jack Splash
| CeeLo Green featuring Melanie Fiona
|-
| "Far Away"
| Marsha Ambrosius, Larrance Dopson, Lamar Edwards, Sterling Simms and Justin Smith
| Marsha Ambrosius
|-
| "Not My Daddy"
| Kelly Price
| Kelly Price featuring Stokley
|-
| "Pieces of Me"
| Charles Harmon, Claude Kelly and Ledisi Young
| Ledisi
|-
| "You Are"
| Dennis Bettis, Carl M. Days Jr., Wirlie Morris, Charlie Wilson and Mahin Wilson
| Charlie Wilson
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 2013<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Pusher Love Girl"
| James Fauntleroy, Jerome Harmon, Timothy Mosley and Justin Timberlake
| Justin Timberlake
|-
| "Best of Me"
| Anthony Hamilton and Jairus Mozee
| Anthony Hamilton
|-
| "Love and War"
| Tamar Braxton, Darhyl Camper Jr., LaShawn Daniels and Makeba Riddick
| Tamar Braxton
|-
| "Only One"
| PJ Morton
| PJ Morton featuring Stevie Wonder
|-
| "Without Me"
| Fantasia Barrino, Missy Elliott, Al Sherrod Lambert, Harmony Samuels and Kyle Stewart
| Fantasia featuring Kelly Rowland and Missy Elliott
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 2015<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Drunk in Love"
| Shawn Carter, Rasool Diaz, Noel Fisher, Jerome Harmon, Beyoncé Knowles, Timothy Mosley, Andre Eric Proctor and Brian Soko
| Beyoncé
|-
| "Good Kisser"
| Ronald "Flip" Colson, Warren "Oak" Felder, Usher Raymond IV, Jameel Roberts, Terry "Tru" Sneed and Andrew "Pop" Wansel
| Usher
|-
| "New Flame"
| Eric Belinger, Chris Brown, James Chambers, Malissa Hunter, Justin Booth Johnson, Mark Pitts, Usher Raymond IV, William Roberts, Maurice "Verse" Simmonds and Keith Thomas
| Chris Brown featuring Usher and Rick Ross
|-
| "Options" (Wolfjames Version)
| Dominic Gordon, Brandon Hesson and Jamaica "Kahn-Cept" Smith
| Luke James featuring Rick Ross
|-
| "The Worst"
| Jhené Aiko Chilombo, Mac Robinson and Brian Warfield
| Jhené Aiko
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 2016<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Really Love"
| D'Angelo, Gina Figueroa and Kendra Foster
| D'Angelo & The Vanguard
|-
| "Coffee"
| Brook Davis and Miguel Pimentel
| Miguel
|-
| "Earned It (Fifty Shades of Grey)"
| Ahmad Balshe, Stephan Moccio, Jason Quenneville and Abel Tesfaye
| The Weeknd
|-
| "Let It Burn"
| Kenny B. Edmonds, Jazmine Sullivan and Dwyane M. Weir II
| Jazmine Sullivan
|-
| "Shame"
| Warryn Campbell, Tyrese Gibson and DJ Rogers Jr.
| Tyrese
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 2017<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Lake by the Ocean"
| Hod David and Musze
| Maxwell
|-
| "Come and See Me"
| Jahron Brathwaite, Aubrey Graham and Noah Shebib
| PartyNextDoor featuring Drake
|-
| "Exchange"
| Michael Hernandez and Bryson Tiller
| Bryson Tiller
|-
| "Kiss It Better"
| Jeff Bhasker, Robyn Fenty, John-Nathan Glass and Teddy Sinclair
| Rihanna
|-
| "Luv"
| Magnus August Høiberg, Benjamin Levin and Daystar Peterson
| Tory Lanez
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 2018<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "That's What I Like"
| Christopher Brody Brown, James Fauntleroy, Ray Charles McCullough II, Philip Lawrence, Bruno Mars, Jeremy Reeves, Ray Romulus and Jonathan Yip
| Bruno Mars
|-
| "First Began"
| PJ Morton
| PJ Morton
|-
| "Location"
| Alfredo Gonzalez, Olatunji Ige, Samuel David Jiminez, Christopher McClenney, Khalid Robinson and Joshua Scruggs
| Khalid
|-
| "Redbone"
| Donald Glover and Ludwig Göransson
| Childish Gambino
|-
| "Supermodel"
| Tyran Donaldson, Terrence Henderson, Greg Landfair Jr. and Solána Rowe
| SZA
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 2019<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Boo'd Up"
| Roderick Pusharod Bullock, Larrance Dopson, Joelle James, Ella Mai and Dijon McFarlane
| Ella Mai
|-
| "Come Through and Chill"
| Jermaine Cole, Miguel Pimentel and Salaam Remi
| Miguel featuring J. Cole and Salaam Remi
|-
| "Feels Like Summer"
| Donald Glover and Ludwig Göransson
| Childish Gambino
|-
| "Focus"
| Darhyl Camper Jr., H.E.R. and Justin Love
| H.E.R.
|-
| "Long as I Live"
| Paul Boutin, Toni Braxton and Antonio Dixon
| Toni Braxton
|-
|}
2020s
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#bebebe"
! width="5%" | Year
! width="25%" | Song
! width="45%" | Songwriter(s)
! width="25%" | Artist(s)
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 2020<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Say So"
| PJ Morton
| PJ Morton featuring JoJo
|-
| "Could've Been"
| Dernst Emile II, David "Swagg R’Celious" Harris, H.E.R. and Hue "Soundzfire" Strother
| H.E.R. featuring Bryson Tiller
|-
| "Look at Me Now"
| Emily King and Jeremy Most
| Emily King
|-
| "No Guidance"
| Chris Brown, Tyler James Bryant, Nija Charles, Aubrey Graham, Anderson Hernandez, Joshua Huizar, Michee Patrick Lebrun, Noah Shebib and Teddy Walton
| Chris Brown featuring Drake
|-
| "Roll Some Mo"
| David Brown, Dernst Emile II and Peter Lee Johnson
| Lucky Daye
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 2021<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Better Than I Imagined"
| Robert Glasper, Meshell Ndegeocello and Gabriella Wilson
| Robert Glasper featuring H.E.R. and Meshell Ndegeocello
|-
| "Black Parade"
| Denisia Andrews, Beyoncé, Stephen Bray, Shawn Carter, Brittany Coney, Derek James Dixie, Akil King, Kim "Kaydence" Krysiuk and Rickie "Caso" Tice
| Beyoncé
|-
| "Collide"
| Sam Barsh, Stacy Barthe, Sonyae Elise, Olu Fann, Akil King, Josh Lopez, Kaveh Rastegar and Benedetto Rotondi
| Tiana Major9 and EarthGang
|-
| "Do It"
| Chloe Bailey, Halle Bailey, Anton Kuhl, Victoria Monét, Scott Storch and Vincent van den Ende
| Chloe x Halle
|-
| "Slow Down"
| Nasri Atweh, Badriia Bourelly, Skip Marley, Ryan Williamson and Gabriella Wilson
| Skip Marley and H.E.R.
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 2022<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Leave the Door Open"
| Brandon Anderson, Christopher Brody Brown, Dernst Emile II and Bruno Mars
| Silk Sonic
|-
| "Damage"
| Anthony Clemons Jr., Jeff Gitelman, Gabriella Wilson, Carl McCormick and Tiara Thomas
| H.E.R.
|-
| "Good Days"
| Jacob Collier, Carter Lang, Carlos Munoz, Solána Rowe and Christopher Ruelas
| SZA
|-
| "Heartbreak Anniversary"
| Giveon Evans, Maneesh, Sevn Thomas and Varren Wade
| Giveon
|-
| "Pick Up Your Feelings"
| Denisia "Blue June" Andrews, Audra Mae Butts, Kyle Coleman, Brittany "Chi" Coney, Michael Holmes and Jazmine Sullivan
| Jazmine Sullivan
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 2023<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Cuff It"
| Beyoncé, Denisia "Blu June" Andrews, Brittany "Chi" Coney, Terius "The-Dream" Gesteelde-Diamant, Morten Ristorp, Nile Rodgers and Raphael Saadiq
| Beyoncé
|-
| "Good Morning Gorgeous"
| Mary J. Blige, David Brown, Dernst Emile II, Gabriella Wilson and Tiara Thomas
| Mary J. Blige
|-
| "Hrs and Hrs"
| Hamadi Zaabi, Dylan Graham, Priscilla Renea, Thaddis "Kuk" Harrell, Brandon John-Baptiste, Isaac Wriston and Justin Nathaniel Zim
| Muni Long
|-
| "Hurt Me So Good"
| Akeel Henry, Michael Holmes, Luca Mauti, Jazmine Sullivan and Elliott Trent
| Jazmine Sullivan
|-
| "Please Don't Walk Away"
| PJ Morton
| PJ Morton
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 2024<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Snooze"
| Kenny B. Edmonds, Blair Ferguson, Khris Riddick-Tynes, Solána Rowe and Leon Thomas
| SZA
|-
| "Angel"
| Halle Bailey, Theron Feemster and Coleridge Tillman
| Halle Bailey
|-
| "Back to Love"
| Darryl Andrew Farris, Robert Glasper and Alex Isley
| Robert Glasper featuring Sir and Alex Isley
|-
| "ICU"
| Darhyl Camper Jr., Courtney Jones, Raymond Komba and Roy Keisha Rockette
| Coco Jones
|-
| "On My Mama"
| Dernst Emile II, Jeff Gitelman, Victoria Monét, Kyla Moscovich, Jamil Pierre and Charles Williams
| Victoria Monét
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 2025<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Saturn"
| Rob Bisel, Carter Lang, Solána Rowe, Jared Solomon and Scott Zhang
| SZA
|-
| "After Hours"
| Diovanna Frazier, Alex Goldblatt, Kehlani Parrish, Khris Riddick-Tynes and Daniel Upchurch
| Kehlani Parrish
|-
| "Burning"
| Ronald Banful and Temilade Openiyi
| Tems
|-
| "Here We Go (Uh Oh)"
| Sara Diamond, Sydney Floyd, Marisela Jackson, Courtney Jones, Carl McCormick and Kelvin Wooten
| Coco Jones
|-
| "Ruined Me"
| Jeff Gitelman, Priscilla Renea and Kevin Theodore
| Muni Long
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 2026<br>
|- style="background:#FAEB86;"
| "Folded"
| Darius Dixson, Andre Harris, Kehlani Parrish, Donovan Knight, Don Mills, Khris Riddick-Tynes and Dawit Kamal Wilson
| Kehlani
|-
| "Heart of a Woman"
| David Bishop and Summer Walker
| Summer Walker
|-
| "It Depends"
| Nico Baran, Chris Brown, Ant Clemons, Ephrem Lopez Jr., Ryan Press, Bryson Tiller, Elliott Trent and Dewain Whitmore Jr.
| Chris Brown featuring Bryson Tiller
|-
| "Overqualified"
| James John Abrahart Jr, John Derisme, Egbert "Budda" Foster, Amaire Johnson, Frank Moka, Cary Singer, Chase Worrell and Durand Bernarr
| Durand Bernarr
|-
| "Yes It Is"
| Jariuce Banks, Lazaro Andres Camejo, Mike Hector, Peter Lee Johnson, Rodney Jones Jr., Ali Prawl and Leon Thomas
| Leon Thomas
|-
|}
- <sup></sup> Each year is linked to the article about the Grammy Awards held that year.
- <sup></sup> The performing artist is only listed but does not receive the award.
Multiple wins
;5 wins
- Beyoncé
;4 wins
- Babyface
;3 wins
- Alicia Keys
- Bill Withers
- Stevie Wonder
;2 wins
- Johnta Austin
- Anita Baker
- Brody Brown
- Bill Champlin
- James Fauntleroy
- Jay Graydon
- Jay-Z
- J-Roc
- Bruno Mars
- Raphael Saadiq
- SZA
Multiple nominations
;17 nominations
- Babyface
;9 nominations
- Beyoncé
- Stevie Wonder
;8 nominations
- Leon Huff
;7 nominations
- Luther Vandross
;6 nominations
- H.E.R.
- Rodney Jerkins
- L.A. Reid
- Daryl Simmons
;5 nominations
- Erykah Badu
- Harry Wayne Casey
- D'Mile
- LaShawn Daniels
- Alicia Keys
- Prince
- Raphael Saadiq
- Jazmine Sullivan
;4 nominations
- India Arie
- Darhyl Camper
- Richard Finch
- Jay-Z
- Fred Jerkins III
- Miguel
- PJ Morton
- Salaam Remi
- Khris Riddick-Tynes
- Nile Rodgers
- SZA
- Usher
;3 nominations
- Dallas Austin
- Johntá Austin
- Ivan Barias
- Chris Brown
- Darhyl Camper
- Mariah Carey
- D'Angelo
- Antonio Dixon
- Bernard Edwards
- Missy Elliott
- Jeff Gitelman
- Carvin Haggins
- Anthony Hamilton
- Lauryn Hill
- Nova Wav
- Janet Jackson
- Michael Jackson
- Claude Kelly
- Marcus Miller
- Khris Riddick-Tynes
- Kelly Rowland
- Shannon Sanders
- Stargate
- Barrett Strong
- Rod Temperton
- Timbaland
- Norman Whitfield
- Bill Withers
;2 nominations
- Marsha Ambrosius
- Halle Bailey
- Anita Baker
- Benny Blanco
- Mary J. Blige
- Toni Braxton
- Kevin Briggs
- Brody Brown
- Kandi Burruss
- Cardiak
- Bill Champlin
- Ant Clemons
- Bryan-Michael Cox
- Hod David
- Donald Davis
- Hal Davis
- Larrance Dopson
- Drake
- James Fauntleroy
- 40
- David Foster
- Kenny Gamble
- Lee Garrett
- Jimmy George
- Cary Gilbert
- Robert Glasper
- Donald Glover
- Ludwig Göransson
- Jay Graydon
- Chuck Harmony
- Michael Holmes
- James Ingram
- Jimmy Jam
- General Johnson
- J-Roc
- Louis A. Johnson
- Peter Lee Johnson
- Coco Jones
- Quincy Jones
- R. Kelly
- Akil King
- William King
- Kirk Franklin
- John Legend
- Terry Lewis
- Carter Lang
- Harold Lilly
- LeToya Luckett
- Lucky Daye
- Bruno Mars
- Maxwell
- Gene McFadden
- Victoria Monét
- Meshell Ndegeocello
- Ne-Yo
- Walter Orange
- Robert Ozuna
- James Poyser
- Andrew Ramsey
- Makeba Riddick
- Lionel Richie
- Teddy Riley
- Manuel Seal
- Johnnie Smith
- Glenn Standridge
- Tricky Stewart
- The-Dream
- Leon Thomas
- Tiara Thomas
- Bryson Tiller
- Elliott Trent
- Reed Vertelney
- Narada Michael Walden
- Pop Wansel
- Kanye West
- Maurice White
See also
- List of Grammy Award categories
- List of R&B musicians
- Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance
References
;General
- Note: User must select the "General" category as the genre under the search feature.
;Specific