There’s alot of 90s R&B to start off the night. This genre of music set an awesome atmosphere, mood, and/or tone for a good party like some great uptempo 90s R&B. As it turns out, with a little bit of research and proper programming, it’s also a great genre to feature during the Cocktail Hour at a wedding reception.
“Make It Happen” | Mariah Carey
If you’ve looked over my post: 1992: The Best Music For Your Wedding Playlist, you probably saw this banger of a song by Mariah Carey. This is actually one of my personal favorites from Mariah early in her career. The song entered the Hot 100 in February of 1992 and would peak at #5, and #7 on the Hot R&B chart.
“Remember The Time” | Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson would release his album Dangerous in the fall of 1991. I think this album was one of his best, up there with Thriller and Bad. “Remember The Time” would be the second single to be released from the album and would enter the Hot 100 chart in January of 1992 and top at #3, and peak at #1 on the Hot R&B chart.
” Live And Learn” | Joe Public
And here is the first more obscure track I never saw on any other Spotify playlists. Back in the early 90s, New Jack Swing was a thing. New Jack Swing tended to be a mix of R&B, soul & funk. Joe Public were a New Jack swing from Buffalo, New York who’d score a Top 5 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in the spring of 1992. The song would peak at #3 on the Hot R&B chart.
“Real Love” | Mary J. Blige
At 21 years old in the summer of 1992, Mary J. Blige would burst onto the scene with her album What’s The 411. “Real Love” would be the first single to be released and it would peak at #1 on the Hot R&B chart, and into the Top 10 on the Hot 100.
“Feels Good” | Tony! Toni! Tone!
Back in the summer of 1990, Tony! Toni! Tone! would score a Number 1 song on the R&B chart. The song would enter the Hot 100 in September of 1990 and peak at #9.
“My Lovin’ ( You’re Never Gonna Get It)” | En Vogue
1992 might have been one of the biggest years of En Vogue’s career. They would release their album Funky Divas and this song would be the first single to be released off the record. The song would peak at #2 on the Hot 100 chart, and peak at #1 on the Hot R&B chart.
“Right Here (Human Nature Radio Mix)” | SWV
SWV (Sister With Voices) were a vocal trio who would sample Michael Jackson’s song Human Nature with their first release. “Right Here”. The original mix was released in 1992, but did not fare as well as the Human Nature remix, which would peak at #2 on the Hot 100.
“You’re Makin’ Me High” | Toni Braxton
In 1996, Toni Braxton would release her second album titled Secrets. “You’re Makin’ Me High” would be the first single to be released and would make it all the way to Number 1 on the Hot 100 and the Hot R&B chart.
“Round & Round” | Tevin Campbell
A personal favorite of mine from the early 90s. You might remember the song appearing on the movie soundtrack for Graffiti Bridge. Prince would direct this movie and Tevin Campbell would perform this song for the soundtrack. The song would enter the Hot 100 in December 1990 and end up peaking at #12 on the Hot 100 and #3 on the Hot R&B chart. I also featured this song on My Greatest Wedding Songs From 1991 Playlist <—-Check it out.
“Rub You The Right Way” | Johnny Gill
After New Edition broke up, Johnny Gill would break out on his own and release the album, Johnny Gill. “Rub You The Right Way” would be the first single to be released in the spring of 1990. The song would become one of the biggest songs of the summer of 1990 peaking at #3 on the Hot 100, and #1 on the Hot R&B chart.
“I Love Your Smile” | Shanice
The first of my two selections from Shanice for this 90s R&B playlist. You’ll have to scroll on down for that second song and when you find it, you might just be a little blown away. “I Love Your Smile” was released during my senior year of high school in the fall of 1991. The song would peak at #2 on the Hot 100 chart, and #1 on the Hot R&B.
“All 4 Love” | Color Me Badd
Color Me Badd was another one of those New Jack Swing musical groups of the early 90s. I actually added this song into my Best Wedding Proposal Playlist a few years ago. Be sure to click over to check it out. “All 4 Love” would be the third song to be released from their debut record and would peak at #1 on the Hot 100 chart.
“Alright” | Janet Jackson
Back in 1989, Janet Jackson one of her signature album Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814. “Alright” would be the 4th song to be released as a single in March 1990. The song would peak at #4 on the Hot 100, as well as #2 on the Hot R&B chart.
“Baby I’m Yours” | Shai
Shai were a vocal group based out of Washington DC that would release their debut album If I Ever Fall In Love in 1992. “Baby I’m Yours” would be the third single to be released from this album around the summer of 1993. The song would peak at #10 on the Hot 100 chart.
“Humpin Around” | Bobby Brown
In 1992, Bobby Brown would release his 3rd album Bobby after the break-up of New Edition. “Humpin Around” was the first single to be released off the record and would peak at #3 on the Hot 100, and #1 on the Hot R&B chart.
“Motownphilly” | Boys II Men
Motownphilly would be the first time we’d here from Boys II Men in 1991, but it certainly would not be the last. “Motownphilly” would be released in the spring of 1991 and become one of the biggest songs of that summer. The song would peak at #3 on the Hot 100 chart.
“All Around The World” | Lisa Stansfield
In the fall of 1989, Lisa Stansfield would release her album Affection. “All Around The World” would become her signature song peaking at #3 on the Hot 100 chart, as well as #1 on the Hot R&B chart.
“Diggin’ On You” | TLC
R&B girl groups were a thing in the early – mid 90s. One of the biggest R&B girl groups of the 90s was TLC. In 1994, they would release CrazySexyCool. “Diggin On You” would be the last single to be released from the record. The song would become a Top 5 single on the Hot 100, and peak at #7 on the Hot R&B chart.
“I Like The Way (The Kissing Game)” | Hi-Five
Hi-Five were an American R&B group that originated from Waco, Texas. “I Like The Way” would be the second song to be released from their debut album in January of 1991. The song would peak at #1 on both the Hot 100 and Hot R&B chart.
“Come & Talk To Me” | Jodeci
Jodeci was another R&B group that would originate from Charlotte, North Carolina in the early 90s. The song can be found on their debut album Forever My Lady in 1991. “Come & Talk To Me” would be the third time that Jodeci would hit Number 1 on the R&B chart.
“You Make Me Wanna….” | Usher
In the summer of 1997, Usher would release his second album titled My Way. “You Make Me Wanna” would be the first single to be released from the record and would peak at #1 on the Hot R&B chart, and #2 on the Hot 100 chart.
“That’s The Way Love Goes” | Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson’s fifth album simply titled Janet would be released in May of 1993. “That’s The Way Love Goes” would be the first single to be released from this record and would become one of the biggest songs of 1993 peaking at #1 on the Hot 100 for 8 straight weeks.
“I’m So Into You” | SWV
SWV would release their debut album It’s About Time in 1992. “I’m So Into You” would be the second song to be released from this album and would peak at #6 on the Hot 100 chart, as well as #2 on the Hot R&B chart.
“Saving Forever For You” | Shanice
Ah yes! You made it to the second song I placed on this playlist from the lovely and very talented Shanice. “Saving Forever For You” was a no-brainer when it came to adding a wonderful R&B ballad into this playlist. If you have some time, surf around on You Tube for some other music videos for the song, especially if you are into Beverly Hills 90210. In 1992, there was a soundtrack to the popular 90s TV show that would feature this beautiful song written by Diane Warren. The song would peak at #4 on the Hot 100 chart.
“Baby-Baby-Baby” | TLC
The year was 1992. The album was Oooooooooooh…On The TLC Tip. “Baby Baby Baby” was the second single to break off this album and would become a #2 song on the Hot 100 for TLC during the summer of 1992.
“Honey” | Mariah Carey
In the summer of 1997, Mariah would release her 6th album titled Butterfly. “Honey” would be the first song to be released off the album in late summer 1997. “Honey” would peak at #1 on the Hot 100 chart, and #2 on the Hot R&B chart.
“Hey Mr. D.J.” | Zhane
Zhane was an R&B group with origins back to the great city of Philadelphia. —–> Click Here For Some Of The Best Musicians From Philadelphia For Wedding Playlists. “Hey Mr DJ” was the first single from Zhane. Released in the summer of 1993, the song would peak at Number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
“I Can Love You Like That” | All-4-One
Since I am not a huge fan of country music, you probably wouldn’t see me cue up the John Michael Montgomery version of this song. All-4-One would record and release their version of the song in the summer of 1995 and would peak at #5 on the Hot 100 chart, as well as #2 on the Adult Contemporary chart.
“Here We Go Again” | Portrait
Portrait were a male R&B vocal group originating from Los Angeles, Ca. “Here We Go Again” would be the first single to be released from their debut album in November of 1992. The song would be their most successful track on the Hot 100 peaking at #11, and #3 on the Hot R&B chart.
“Nights Like This” | After 7
After 7 were a R&B vocal trio originating from Indianapolis. The group has in it Melvin and Kevon Edmonds, who are the brothers of Babyface. “Nights Like This” was released in time for the summer of 1991 and would be featured in the movie The Five Heartbeats. The song would peak at #24 on the Hot 100, and #7 on the R&B chart.
“Close To You” | Maxi Priest
Originally I placed this song on my Best Reggae Cocktail Hour Playlist, but in doing the research for this post, I realized this signature song from Maxi Priest did very well on the Hot R&B chart. The song would peak at #2 on that chart, and all the way to #1 on the Hot 100 in 1990.
“Candy Rain” | Soul For Real
Soul For Real was an R&B group originating from Wheatley Heights, New York. The group would release their debut album Candy Rain in the winter of 1995. The title track of the album would peak at #2 on the Hot 100 chart, as well as #1 on the Hot R&B chart.
“My Boo” | Ghost Town DJ’s
The Ghost Town DJ’s were a hip-hop band from Atlanta who would release only one single. “My Boo” was released in the summer of 1996 and would peak at #27 on the Hot 100, and #14 on the R&B chart.
“The Boy Is Mine” | Brandy & Monica
In 1998, Brandy and Monica would record a duet together. You can find the song on Brandy’s album Never Say Never, as well as Monica’s album The Boy Is Mine. The song would peak at #1 on the Hot R&B singles chart.
“In The Closet” | Michael Jackson
And we wrap up this selection of songs for the Best 90s R&B Cocktail Hour Playlist for your wedding with another track from Michael Jackson’s Dangerous album. “In The Closet” was the third single to be released from the album in April of 1992. The song would peak at #1 on the Hot R&B chart, and also managed to peak at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100.
90s R&B Cocktail Hour Playlist for your wedding is pretty awesome? From high school crushes to graduating from high school and going on to college, so much of the music you see on this post was popular during those moments in my life. And to be honest with you, all those special moments of you and him most likely had a song for it. When you are putting the playlist together for your wedding, be sure to include your favorite songs. Thank you so much for making it to the end of this post. Music is our passion as a wedding DJ and we would love to share that passion with you.
