Ranking The Top 10 Best Chrisette Michele Songs: Best Neo-Soul, R&B Ballads, and Underrated Hits
For this edition of our Top 10 Best Songs feature, we celebrate the legacy of Chrisette Michele by revisiting her entire discography. The singer has given us some amazing albums, singles and even album cuts over the course of her career.
Chrisette Michele is one of the most uniquely gifted vocalists of her generation, celebrated for her crisp, raspy vocals and her ability to blend jazz, soul, and R&B into a sophisticated sound. Often featured on hip-hop projects before her solo breakthrough—collaborating with artists like Jay-Z, Nas, and Rick Ross—she is a true renaissance woman of soul music.
Her debut album, I Am (2007), introduced her unique jazzy/pop/soulful style and was followed by her sophomore effort, Epiphany (2009), which debuted at No. 1 on both the Billboard Pop and R&B charts. Despite the widespread love for her major hits, Chrisette Michele remains profoundly underrated for the depth of her vocal talent.
This list celebrates the Top 10 Best Chrisette Michele Songs, showcasing her biggest R&B hits, Grammy-winning singles, and essential deep cuts.
Chrisette Michele has released six albums, three mixtapes, and one EP since we were introduced to her back in 2007. Her talent and unique style have allowed her to churn out more hits than most of the peers from her generation. It’s no stretch to say that she’s already given us plenty of timeless songs in a career that figures to last for many years to come.
Click Here to check out all of our Top 10 Lists. Click any of the song titles to hear that song.
Without further ado, here are the songs that define the incredible career of Chrisette Michele, presented in chronological order:
Best of Me (from the “I Am” album)
This Babyface-written gem may not have been her biggest chart hit, but it served as a powerful introduction to her unique jazzy/pop/soulful style on her debut album. It’s a smooth, mid-tempo R&B track.
Be OK (featuring Will I Am) (from the “I Am” album)
This fun and funky track showcases the other side of her debut album’s sound spectrum. It won a Grammy Award for Best Urban/Alternative Performance in 2009, highlighting her ability to bridge genres.
Epiphany (I’m Leaving) (from the “Epiphany” album)
This was a defining moment where fans truly heard the growth and evolution of Chrisette Michele. The titular single from her No. 1 sophomore album firmly established her mark in the contemporary R&B space.
Blame It On Me (from the “Epiphany” album)
A powerful piano-based ballad that is a great reminder of the vocal talents of this songstress. The song’s raw, unapologetic lyrical theme resonates deeply with fans and often goes underrated for its emotional talent.
I’m a Star (from the “Let Freedom Reign” album)
Written by Ne-Yo and produced by Chuck Harmony, this track remains a standout for its unique sound and powerful, uplifting qualities. It’s a song about self-affirmation and confidence.
Rich Hipster (featuring Wale) (from the “Audrey Hepburn: An Audiovisual Presentation” mixtape)
This track is lyrically unlike almost any other in R&B, focusing on her distinctive, elevated style. It is an infectious, head-nodding record that exemplifies her artistic originality.
A Couple of Forevers (from the “Better” album)
Hands down one of the best R&B songs of the entire 2010s decade. This gorgeous track quickly became a quintessential wedding song and a major hit, celebrated for its timeless romance.
Let Me Win (from the “Better” album)
A true standout album cut that easily could have been a single. Producers Carvin & Ivan and DJ Camper created something truly special here: a flawless example of polished R&B.
Love Won’t Leave Me Out (from the “Better” album)
Another exceptional track from the acclaimed Better album, highlighting the consistently high quality of R&B she delivered during this era. Carvin & Ivan provided some of their best production work here.
Unbreakable (from the “Milestone” album)
This track marked another evolution of Chrisette Michele’s sound, moving toward a more modern R&B structure while still retaining the core vocal power and emotional honesty that defines her work.
Honorable Mention:
-If I Have My Way (from the “I Am” album)
-Mr. Radio (from the “I Am” album)
-What You Do (featuring Ne-Yo) (from the “Epiphany” album)
-Notebook (from the “Epiphany” album)
-Another One (from the “Epiphany” album)
-Let Freedom Reign (featuring Talib Kweli & Black Thought) (from the “Let Freedom Reign” album)
-Love in the Afternoon (from the “Audrey Hepburn: An Audiovisual Presentation” mixtape)
-Be in Love (from the “Better” album)
-Snow (from the “Better” album)
-I’m Still Fly (from the “Better” album)
-Super Chris (from the “The Lyricists’ Opus” EP)
-Equal (featuring Rick Ross) (from the “Milestone” album)