Say Yes

The south dominated R&B in the early '00s. Usher and Ciara offered smooth come-ons over basslines straight from Atlanta's crunk scene. Virginia Beach innovators The Neptunes and Timbaland laced eccentric divas like Kelis and Tweet with beats that were more sci-fi funk than old-school soul. Newly liberated solo star Beyoncé embraced her roots, unleashing a monster pop hit powered a fiery brass section. Wise and wounded neo-soul storyteller Anthony Hamilton preached faith in the face of adversity, while his fellow North Carolina native Fantasia delivered a one-that-got-away anthem for the ages.