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A visual history · Grammys

The winners who defined Contemp. R&B Album.

9 ceremonies, 2003–2011. 6 different winners.

Who won most recently?
Usher in 2011 for Raymond v. Raymond.
Who has won the most?
Beyoncé, 3 wins (2004, 2007, 2010).
  1. Raymond v. RaymondUsher
  2. I Am... Sasha FierceBeyoncé
  3. Growing PainsMary J. Blige
  4. Because of YouNe-Yo
  5. B'DayBeyoncé
  6. The Emancipation of MimiMariah Carey
Years explored
2003–2011
Different winners
6
Category leader
Beyoncé · 3
About this record

Best Contemporary R&B Album was first awarded in 2003, so it does not run the full 1959–2025 window.

It was awarded for the last time in 2011.

From 2012 the Grammys awarded Best R&B Album instead.

2003–2011

9 ceremonies

20032011

01 / The reigns

6 winners shaped this category.

The timeline turns the 2003–2011 record into a sequence of reigns. Longer bands reveal sustained runs; color shows the credited label.

  1. Beyoncé performing on the Renaissance World Tour in London01
    Beyoncé3 wins
  2. 02
    Usher2 wins
One band per year, because no winner has gone back-to-back in the years on record. Colored by label; scroll sideways for the full run.
Ashanti'03
Beyoncé'04
Usher'05
Mariah Carey'06
Beyoncé'07
Ne-Yo'08
Mary J. Blige'09
Beyoncé'10
Usher'11

02 / The power map

Who stood behind the winners?

Music World leads the recorded label credits with 3 wins, 2003–2011. The full distribution shows whether power was concentrated or shared.

Music World3 wins
Sony2 wins
Universal2 wins
Compound1 win
Murder Inc.1 win
Wins by label
  1. Music World333%
  2. Sony222%
  3. Universal222%
  4. Compound111%
  5. Murder Inc.111%

03 / The near misses

The names that kept coming back without the ending they wanted.

Counting nominations in this category only, 2003–2011.

Most nominated, never won this award

  1. 01
    Brandy
    2 noms
  2. 02
    Chris Brown
    2 noms
  3. 03
    Janet Jackson
    2 noms
  4. 04
    R. Kelly
    2 noms

Most losses in this category

  1. 01
    Brandy
    2L · 0W
  2. 02
    Chris Brown
    2L · 0W
  3. 03
    Janet Jackson
    2L · 0W
  4. 04
    Ne-Yo
    2L · 1W
  5. 05
    R. Kelly
    2L · 0W
  6. 06
    Ashanti
    1L · 1W

04 / The archive

Every year.
Every winner.

The complete reference behind the story, showing 2003–2011. Open any year to see the rest of the field when nominee records are available.

YearWinnerLabel
2011Usher (Raymond v. Raymond)
beat 4 others
  • R. Kelly (Untitled)
  • Chris Brown (Graffiti)
  • Ryan Leslie (Transition)
  • Janelle Monáe (The ArchAndroid)
LaFace/Jive
2010Beyoncé (I Am... Sasha Fierce)
beat 4 others
  • Jamie Foxx (Intuition)
  • Pleasure P (The Introduction of Marcus Cooper)
  • Trey Songz (Ready)
  • T-Pain (Three Ringz)
Music World/Columbia
2009Mary J. Blige (Growing Pains)
beat 4 others
  • J. Holiday (Back of My Lac)
  • Karina (First Love)
  • Ne-Yo (Year of the Gentleman)
  • Jazmine Sullivan (Fearless)
Geffen
2008Ne-Yo (Because of You)
beat 4 others
  • Akon (Konvicted)
  • Keyshia Cole (Just like You)
  • Fantasia (Fantasia)
  • Emily King (East Side Story)
Compound/Def Jam
2007Beyoncé (B'Day)
beat 4 others
  • Chris Brown (Chris Brown)
  • Janet Jackson (20 Y.O.)
  • Kelis (Kelis Was Here)
  • Ne-Yo (In My Own Words)
Music World/Columbia
2006Mariah Carey (The Emancipation of Mimi)
beat 4 others
  • Amerie (Touch)
  • Destiny's Child (Destiny Fulfilled)
  • Mario (Turning Point)
  • Omarion (O)
Island
2005Usher (Confessions)
beat 4 others
  • Brandy (Afrodisiac)
  • Janet Jackson (Damita Jo)
  • Christina Milian (It's About Time)
  • Mario Winans (Hurt No More)
Arista
2004Beyoncé (Dangerously in Love)
beat 4 others
  • Ashanti (Chapter II)
  • Mary J. Blige (Love & Life)
  • Anthony Hamilton (Comin' from Where I'm From)
  • R. Kelly (Chocolate Factory)
Music World/Columbia
2003Ashanti (Ashanti)
beat 4 others
  • Brandy (Full Moon)
  • Faith Evans (Faithfully)
  • Floetry (Floetic)
  • Meshell Ndegeocello (Cookie: The Anthropological Mixtape)
Murder Inc./Def Jam