The American Music Award for Best R&B Song (formerly known as Favorite Soul/R&B Single 1974-1995 and Favorite Song – Soul/R&B 1996-2025) has been awarded since 1974. While the start and end dates for the usage of the category Favorite Black Single are unclear, in 1985 the name was used for the award Prince was given for his single When Doves Cry. The category was retired for over a decade in 1995, before returning in the 2016 ceremony. Years reflect the year in which the awards were presented, for works released in the previous year (until 2003 onward when awards were handed out on November of the same year). The all-time winners for this category are Michael Jackson and Bruno Mars, both with 3 wins. The latter is also the most nominated artist. Singers Diana Ross, Janet Jackson and Whitney Houston share the record for most wins by a female artist in the category with two each.
Winners and nominees 1970s Year Artist Song Ref 1974 Stevie Wonder "Superstition" Billy Paul "Me and Mrs. Jones" Gladys Knight & the Pips "Midnight Train to Georgia" 1975 Gladys Knight & the Pips "Midnight Train to Georgia" Roberta Flack "Feel Like Makin' Love" Gladys Knight & the Pips "You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me" 1976 KC and the Sunshine Band "Get Down Tonight" Love Unlimited "I Belong to You" Gwen McCrae "Rockin' Chair" 1977 Lou Rawls "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine" Wild Cherry "Play That Funky Music" 1978 The Emotions "Best of My Love" Commodores "Brick House" Barry White "It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next to Me" 1979 Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams "Too Much, Too Little, Too Late" Natalie Cole "Our Love" The O'Jays "Use ta Be My Girl"
1980s Year Artist Song Ref 1980 Michael Jackson "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" Kool & the Gang "Ladies Night" Peaches & Herb "Reunited" 1981 Diana Ross "Upside Down" George Benson "Give Me the Night" Larry Graham "One in a Million You" 1982 Lionel Richie and Diana Ross "Endless Love" Carl Carlton "She's a Bad Mama Jama (She's Built, She's Stacked)" Rick James "Give It to Me Baby" Smokey Robinson "Being with You" 1983 Marvin Gaye "Sexual Healing" Aretha Franklin "Jump to It" Evelyn "Champagne" King "Love Come Down" 1984 Lionel Richie "All Night Long (All Night)" Michael Jackson "Billie Jean" Rick James "Cold Blooded" Mtume "Juicy Fruit" 1985 Prince "When Doves Cry" Billy Ocean "Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)" Tina Turner "What's Love Got to Do with It" 1986 Whitney Houston "You Give Good Love" Commodores "Nightshift" Freddie Jackson "You Are My Lady" 1987 Janet Jackson "Nasty" Cameo "Word Up!" Prince "Kiss" Timex Social Club "Rumors" 1988 Michael Jackson "Bad" LeVert "Casanova" Jody Watley "Looking for a New Love" 1989 Freddie Jackson "Nice 'N' Slow" Al B. Sure! "Off on Your Own (Girl)" Pebbles "Girlfriend"
1990s Year Artist Song Ref 1990 Janet Jackson "Miss You Much" Anita Baker "Just Because" Soul II Soul "Keep on Movin'" 1991 MC Hammer "U Can't Touch This" Keith Sweat "Merry Go Round" Tony! Toni! Tone! "Feels Good" 1992 Color Me Badd "I Wanna Sex You Up" Boyz II Men "Motownphilly" Color Me Badd "I Adore Mi Amor" 1993 Michael Jackson "Remember the Time" R. Kelly and Public Announcement "Honey Love" Patti LaBelle "Somebody Loves You Baby (You Know Who It Is)" 1994 Whitney Houston "I Will Always Love You" Mariah Carey "Dreamlover" Janet Jackson "That's the Way Love Goes" 1995 Boyz II Men "I'll Make Love to You" All-4-One "I Swear" Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue "Whatta Man"
2010s Year Artist Song Ref 2016 Rihanna "Work" Drake "One Dance" Bryson Tiller "Don't" 2017 Bruno Mars "That's What I Like" Khalid "Location" The Weeknd "Starboy" 2018 Bruno Mars "Finesse (Remix)" Ella Mai "Boo'd Up" Khalid "Young Dumb & Broke" 2019 Khalid "Talk" Lizzo "Juice" Ella Mai "Trip"
2020s Year Artist Song Ref 2020 The Weeknd "Heartless" Chris Brown "No Guidance" Summer Walker "Playing Games" 2021 Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak) "Leave the Door Open" Chris Brown and Young Thug "Go Crazy" Giveon "Heartbreak Anniversary" H.E.R. "Damage" Jazmine Sullivan "Pick Up Your Feelings" 2022 Wizkid "Essence" Muni Long "Hrs and Hrs" Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak) "Smokin out the Window" SZA "I Hate U" Beyoncé "Break My Soul" 2023 – 24 colspan="3" 2025 SZA "Saturn" Chris Brown "Residuals" Muni Long "Made for Me" The Weeknd and Playboi Carti "Timeless" Tommy Richman "Million Dollar Baby" 2026 Bruno Mars "I Just Might" Chris Brown "It Depends" Kehlani "Folded" Leon Thomas "Mutt" Mariah the Scientist "Burning Blue"
Category facts Multiple wins
4 wins Bruno Mars 3 wins Michael Jackson
2 wins Whitney Houston Janet Jackson Lionel Richie Diana Ross
Multiple nominations
5 nominations Bruno Mars
4 nominations Michael Jackson Chris Brown
3 nominations Drake Janet Jackson Khalid The Weeknd
2 nominations Boyz II Men Color Me Badd Commodores Ella Mai Gladys Knight & the Pips Whitney Houston Freddie Jackson Rick James Anderson .Paak Prince Lionel Richie Diana Ross Muni Long SZA Bryson Tiller
References