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4 Chinese R&B Artists Gaining Popularity in the U.S. (With Music & YouTube Links)

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The Chinese R&B and soulful-pop scene has been quietly building momentum for years. Thanks to YouTube, streaming platforms, and global fandoms, more artists from mainland China and the wider Chinese-language world are starting to catch the ears of listeners in the United States.

Here are four Chinese / Mandarin-language R&B or R&B-leaning artists you should have on your radar—each with a distinct sound and growing international footprint.

1. Khalil Fong (方大同)

If you ask fans who helped define “Mandarin R&B,” Khalil Fong is one of the first names that comes up. A singer-songwriter known for blending R&B, soul, jazz, and Mandopop, his catalog is a smooth gateway for U.S. audiences into Chinese-language R&B. (YouTube Music)

His grooves often feel like they could sit right next to D’Angelo or John Legend on a playlist—just with Mandarin lyrics and a slightly jazzier harmonic palette.

Good YouTube starting points:

  • Official channel:
    👉 Khalil Fong on YouTube (YouTube)

  • “Special Person (特別的人)” and “Love Love Love” are essential listens if you want to feel his R&B sensibility in full.

Why U.S. listeners might vibe with him:

  • Soulful vocal tone and harmonies that feel familiar to Western R&B fans

  • Live instrumentation, jazzy chords, and tasteful production instead of over-processed pop

  • Great “late night, lights low” energy for chill playlists

2. KUN / Cai Xukun (蔡徐坤)

KUN started in the Chinese idol world but his solo work has moved into a more modern R&B / pop hybrid lane—think atmospheric synths, tight drums, and smooth hooks. Articles highlighting Chinese-language R&B often point to his projects as part of a newer generation pushing the sound forward. (YouTube Music)

He blends C-Pop, trap, and R&B aesthetics, which slots nicely into current U.S. tastes around artists who mix pop hooks with moody, melodic rap or alt-R&B.

Good YouTube starting points:

Why U.S. listeners might vibe with him:

  • Production style lines up with current global pop/R&B trends

  • Strong visual identity and performance chops (great for YouTube discovery)

  • Hooks are catchy even if you don’t understand the lyrics right away

3. Joker Xue (薛之谦)

Joker Xue is often filed under Mandopop, but a lot of his biggest songs lean hard into R&B-influenced ballad territory—emotional vocals, dynamic arrangements, and melodic phrasing that feels very familiar to R&B fans. He’s one of the most commercially successful Chinese singers of his generation and continues to stay active and experimental. (Wikipedia)

Tracks like “Actor” blend pop and R&B sensibilities in a way that travels well outside of China.

Good YouTube starting points:

Why U.S. listeners might vibe with him:

  • Big, cinematic ballads with R&B phrasing and emotional storytelling

  • Strong choruses you can feel, even if you don’t catch every word

  • Great live and tour content that travels easily through fan clips and recommendations

4. WayV (威神V)

WayV is a Chinese-language unit under the larger NCT universe, but musically, a lot of their catalog sits right in the R&B-pop / dance-R&B lane. They’re heavily promoted across Asia with a growing international fanbase, and their sound is built on polished, global-standard production. (YouTube)

They blend smooth vocals, rap sections, and R&B-driven instrumentals that feel right at home next to Western boy groups and R&B-influenced pop acts.

Good YouTube starting points:

Why U.S. listeners might vibe with them:

  • Very polished visuals and choreography (perfect for YouTube and TikTok circulation)

  • Tracks like “Love Talk” already have global traction, especially among K-pop and C-pop crossover fans

  • A mix of R&B, trap, and pop that fits right into modern playlists

Final Thoughts

If you’re in the U.S. and want to explore R&B beyond the usual borders, these four artists are a great starting point:

  • Khalil Fong for classic Mandarin R&B vibes

  • KUN for modern, hybrid C-Pop/R&B

  • Joker Xue for emotional R&B-influenced ballads

  • WayV for polished group performances with R&B-pop energy

C.J. Cruz