2020 in rhythm and blues

This article summarizes the events, album releases, and album release dates in rhythm and blues for the year 2020.

Events January On January 1, Lexii Alijai died at the age of 21. On January 2, Lorraine Chandler died at the age of 73. On January 5, the 34th Golden Disc Awards were held. BTS won Album of the Year for Map of the Soul: Persona, the TikTok Golden Disc Popularity Award, and the NetEase Fans Choice K-Pop Star Award. Zico won Best R&B Hip Hop Award. On January 11, Maceo Woods died at the age of 87. On January 13, Demetri Callas died at the age of 77. On January 19, Jimmy Heath died at the age of 93. Robert Parker died at the age of 89. On January 21, Meritxell Negre died at the age of 48. On January 26, the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards were held. Anderson .Paak and André 3000 won Best R&B Performance for "Come Home". Anderson .Paak won Best R&B Album for Ventura. Lizzo won Best Traditional R&B Performance for "Jerome" and Best Urban Contemporary Album for Cuz I Love You (Deluxe). PJ Morton and JoJo won Best R&B Song for "Say So". Jacob Collier won Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella for "Moon River" and Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals for "All Night Long". Steve Greenberg won Best Album Notes for Stax '68: A Memphis Story. Beyoncé won Best Music Film for Homecoming.

February On February 7, Ronny Drayton died at the age of 66. On February 18, the Brit Awards 2020 were held. Mabel won British Female Solo Artist. Celeste won the Rising Star Award. On February 21, The Headies 2020 were held. Fireboy DML won Best R&B Single for "Tattoo", Album of the Year for Apollo, and Best R&B Album for Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps. Praiz won Best Vocal Performance (Male) for "Under the Sky". Wizkid won Artiste of the Year and Viewer's Choice. Pheelz won Producer of the Year. Davido won Best Music Video for "1 Milli". Omah Lay won Next Rated. On February 22, Bob Boykin died at the age of 67. On February 24, Peter Schimke died at the age of 59. On February 27, Lillian Offitt died at the age of 81.

March On March 4, Barbara Martin died at the age of 76. On March 14, Phil Phillips died at the age of 94. On March 24, Manu Dibango died at the age of 86. On March 30, Bill Withers died at the age of 81.

April On April 1, Ronn Matlock died at the age of 72. On April 5, Ben Elliott died at the age of 67. On April 6, Onaje Allan Gumbs died at the age of 70. On April 8, Glenn Fredly died at the age of 44. On April 10, Jymie Merritt died at the age of 93. On April 15, Eddie Cooley died at the age of 87. On April 17, Barney Ales died at the age of 85. On April 24, Hamilton Bohannon died at the age of 78. On April 27, Young Jessie died at the age of 83. On April 28, Bobby Lewis died at the age of 95. On April 29, Stezo died at the age of 52. On April 30, Tony Allen died at the age of 79. Ceybil Jefferies died.

May On May 5, Sweet Pea Atkinson died at the age of 74. On May 7, Andre Harrell died at the age of 59. On May 9, Little Richard died at the age of 87. On May 10, Betty Wright died at the age of 66. On May 15, Phil May died at the age of 75. Lance Martin died. On May 17, Lucky Peterson died at the age of 55. On May 19, Robert Ford Jr. died at the age of 70.

June On June 8, Bonnie Pointer died at the age of 69. On June 15, Maiesha Rashad died. On June 21, Walkin' Cane Mark died at the age of 52. On June 23, Reid Whitelaw died at the age of 74. On June 26, Tami Lynn died at the age of 81. Sandra Feva died at the age of 73. On June 28, the BET Awards 2020 were held. DJ Khaled, Nipsey Hussle and John Legend won Video of the Year for "Higher". Chris Brown and Drake won Best Collaboration for "No Guidance". Chris Brown won Best Male R&B/Pop Artist. Lizzo won Best Female R&B/Pop Artist. Teyana Taylor won Video Director of the Year. Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, WizKid and Saint Jhn won the BET Her Award for "Brown Skin Girl". On June 29, the Juno Awards of 2020 were held. Lennon Stella won Breakthrough Artist of the Year. Alessia Cara won Album of the Year for The Pains of Growing and Songwriter of the Year. Dawn Tyler Watson won Blues Album of the Year for Mad Love. Dominique Fils-Aimé won Vocal Jazz Album of the Year for Stay Tuned!. Jessie Reyez, Tory Lanez and Tainy won R&B/Soul Recording of the Year for "Feel It Too".

July On July 5, Cleveland Eaton died at the age of 80. On July 6, Charlie Daniels died at the age of 83. On July 8, Naya Rivera died at the age of 33. On July 10, Steve Sutherland died at the age of 58. Eddie Gale died at the age of 78. "Trumpeter Eddie Gale has died", Marlbank.net, July 13, 2020 . Retrieved July 13, 2020 On July 18, the 2020 Libera Awards were held. Sudan Archives won Best R&B Album for Athena. Tinariwen won Best World Album for Amadjar. Flying Lotus won Creative Packaging for Flamagra. On July 21, Mieko Hirota died at the age of 73. On July 24, Barry St. John died at the age of 76.

August On August 7, the 26th Annual South African Music Awards were held. Blaq Diamond won Record Of The Year for Ibhanoyi. Ami Faku won Female Artist of the Year. Lungisa Xhamela won Best R&B/Soul Album for My Heart to Your Soul. On August 16, Emman Nimedez died at the age of 21. On August 18, Hal Singer died at the age of 100. On August 22, D. J. Rogers died at the age of 72. On August 23, Charlie Persip died at the age of 91. On August 30, the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards were held. The Weeknd won Video of the Year and Best R&B for "Blinding Lights". Doja Cat won Push Best New Artist. Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber won Best Music Video from Home for "Stuck with U". H.E.R. won Video for Good for "I Can't Breathe".

September On September 6, Bruce Williamson died at the age of 49. On September 7, the 2020 iHeartRadio Music Awards were held. Lizzo won Song of the Year for "Truth Hurts" and Best New Pop Artist. Post Malone won Male Artist of the Year and Most Thumbed Up Artist of the Year. Post Malone and Swae Lee won Most Thumbed Up Song of the Year for "Sunflower". Khalid won R&B Album of the Year for Free Spirit. H.E.R. won R&B Artist of the Year. Chris Brown and Drake won R&B Song of the Year for "No Guidance". Summer Walker won Best New R&B Artist. On September 9, Ronald Bell died at the age of 68. On September 11, Toots Hibbert died at the age of 77. Sandra Dianne died at the age of 25. On September 12, Edna Wright died at the age of 75. On September 16, Roy C died at the age of 81. On September 21, Tommy DeVito died at the age of 92. Roy Head died at the age of 79. On September 22, Gerson King Combo died at the age of 76. On September 23, Guitar Crusher died at the age of 89. On September 24, Max Merritt died at the age of 79. On September 29, Rocco Prestia died at the age of 69.

October On October 1, the AIR Awards of 2020 were held. Julia Jacklin won Best Independent Blues and Roots Album or EP for Crushing. Caiti Baker won Best Independent Soul/R&B Album or EP for The Dust (Pt. 1). On October 6, Johnny Nash died at the age of 80. On October 11, Harold Betters died at the age of 92. On October 12, Kim Massie died at the age of 62. The 13th PMPC Star Awards for Music were held. Moira Dela Torre won Album of the Year for Patawad, Song of the Year and Music Video of the Year for "Paubaya", and Female Recording Artist of the Year. Leila Alcasid won RnB Album of the Year for Better Weather. Garth Garcia and JV Decena won RnB Male Artist of the Year. Kiana Valenciano won RnB Female Artist of the Year. On October 14, the 2020 Billboard Music Awards were held. Post Malone won Top Artist, Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Streaming Songs Artist, and Top Male Artist. Lizzo won Top Song Sales Artist. BTS won Top Social Artist. Khalid won Top R&B Album for Free Spirit, Top R&B Song for "Talk", Top R&B Artist, Top R&B Male Artist, and Top R&B Tour. Summer Walker won Top R&B Female Artist. On October 19, Spencer Davis died at the age of 81. On October 26, Stan Kesler died at the age of 92. Ted White died at the age of 89. On October 29, the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards Japan were held. Fujii Kaze won Best R&B video for "Nan-Nan". The Weeknd won Best International Male video for "Blinding Lights".

November On November 1, Ronnie Peel died at the age of 74. On November 5, the 2020 UK Music Video Awards were held. Berwyn won Best R&B/Soul Video - UK for "Trap Phone". Yseult won Best R&B/Soul Video - International for "Corps". Greentea Peng won Best R&B/Soul Video - Newcomer for "Mr Sun (miss da sun)". Beyoncé, Shatta Wale and Major Lazer won Best Styling in a Video for "Already". The Weeknd won Best Live Video for "Heartless (Live)". On November 8, the 2020 MTV Europe Music Awards were held. Doja Cat won Best New Act. H.E.R. won Video for Good for "I Can't Breathe". Zara Larsson won Best Nordic Act. Matt Pokora won Best French Act. Fernando Daniel won Best Portuguese Act. Little Mix won Best UK & Ireland Act. Benee won Best New Zealand Act. Danna Paola won Best Latin America North Act. On November 11, Andrew White died at the age of 78. On November 15, the 46th People's Choice Awards were held. Ariana Grande won The Female Artist of 2020. Doja Cat won The New Artist of 2020. The 2020 Aotearoa Music Awards were held. Benee won Best Solo Artist and the Recorded Music NZ International Achievement. Haz & Miloux won Best Soul / RnB Artist. Drax Project won Highest selling Artist and NZ On Air Radio Airplay Record of the Year. On November 16, Bruce Swedien died at the age of 86. Paul Fernando died at the age of 68. On November 22, the American Music Awards of 2020 were held. Doja Cat won New Artist of the Year and Favorite Female Artist – Soul/R&B. The Weeknd won Favorite Song – Soul/R&B for "Heartless", Favorite Album – Soul/R&B for After Hours, and Favorite Male Artist – Soul/R&B. On November 25, the 2020 ARIA Music Awards were held. Miiesha won Best Soul/R&B Release for Nyaaringu. Sampa the Great won Best Independent Release for The Return and Best Female Artist. The Teskey Brothers won Best Blues & Roots Album for Live at the Forum. On November 29, the 2020 Soul Train Music Awards were held. Monica won the Lady Of Soul Award. Snoh Aalegra won Best New Artist. Brandy won the Soul Train Certified Award. H.E.R. won The Ashford And Simpson Songwriter's Award for "I Can't Breathe" and Best R&B/Soul Female Artist. Chris Brown won Best R&B/Soul Male Artist. Chris Brown and Young Thug won Song Of The Year, Best Dance Performance, and Best Collaboration Performance for "Go Crazy". Kirk Franklin won Best Gospel/Inspirational Award. Summer Walker won Album Of The Year for Over It. Beyoncé, SAINt JHN, Wizkid and Blue Ivy won Video Of The Year for "Brown Skin Girl".

December On December 3, Ron Mathewson died at the age of 76. On December 5, the LOS40 Music Awards 2020 were held. Aya Nakamura won Best New International Act. The Weeknd won Best International Video for "Blinding Lights". On December 6, the 2020 Mnet Asian Music Awards were held. BTS won Album of the Year for Map of the Soul: 7, Artist of the Year, Worldwide Icon of the Year, and Best Male Group. IU won Best Female Artist. Baekhyun won Best Male Artist. Hwasa won Best Dance Performance – Solo for "Maria". Rizky Febian won Best Indonesian Artist. G.E.M. won Best Mandarin Artist. Fujii Kaze won Best New Japanese Artist. BoA won the Inspired Achievement Award. Monsta X won Best Stage. On December 7, Howard Wales died at the age of 77. Dick Allen died at the age of 78. On December 8, the Music Victoria Awards of 2020 were held. Sampa the Great won Best Victorian Album and Best Soul, Funk, R'n'B and Gospel Album for The Return, Best Victorian Song for "OMG", and Best Solo Artist. Lloyd Spiegel won Best Blues Album for Cut and Run. On December 15, Irving Banister died at the age of 87. On December 23, Leslie West died at the age of 75. On December 27, Richard Lewis Spencer died at the age of 78.