Wait, Is That RL From Next? R&B Fans Can’t Believe Their Eyes

An unforgettable era of R&B returned to the spotlight as some of the voices behind the songs that defined love, romance and heartbreak reminded fans why those classics still hit differently.

Some voices simply never lose their magic, and RL, best known as the lead singer of Next, remains one of them. His smooth vocals helped make Next a major part of R&B’s golden era, with songs such as “Too Close”, “Butta Love” and “Wifey” becoming favourites for a generation that remembers when slow jams ruled the radio.

RL in his prime with Next, when his unmistakable voice helped turn songs like “Too Close”, “Butta Love” and “Wifey” into R&B favourites and made him one of the era’s unforgettable heartthrobs.

That nostalgia was alive again on Thursday, 22 October, as R&B favourites Case and Carl Thomas went head-to-head in VERZUZ. The showdown brought together two catalogues packed with emotion, from Case favourites “Happily Ever After” and “Missing You” to Carl Thomas classics including “I Wish” and “Emotional”. 

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For fans who grew up on Next, RL still holds a special place in their hearts. His voice, charm and ability to make a love song feel personal helped cement his status as one of R&B’s memorable leading men. More than two decades later, hearing those familiar vocals can instantly take listeners back to first loves, heartbreaks, house parties and late-night slow jams.

Years later, RL is still carrying that R&B legacy, reminding longtime fans that the voice, charm and music that made an impact back then still have the power to turn heads today.

And that may be exactly why this era of R&B refuses to fade. RL, Case and Carl Thomas represent a time when powerful vocals, emotional storytelling and unforgettable melodies were at the heart of the genre. The artists may have grown older, but the music certainly hasn’t stopped breaking hearts.

So, for everyone who lived through R&B’s golden years, there is only one question left: Did R&B ever really get better than this?

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