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:
Official channel:
👉 KUN 蔡徐坤 on YouTube (YouTube)“What a Day” – upbeat, slick, and very global in its sound
👉 “What a Day” (Official Video) (YouTube)“Jasmine” – mellow, melodic, and R&B-leaning
👉 “Jasmine” (Official Video) (YouTube)
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:
Official channel:
👉 薛之謙Joker Xue on YouTube (YouTube)“Actor (演员)” – his signature hit, with strong R&B melodic flavor
👉 “Actor” Official MV (YouTube)“Actually (其實)” – another emotional, R&B-leaning ballad
👉 “其實” Official MV (YouTube)
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:
Official channel:
👉 WayV on YouTube (YouTube)“Love Talk” – one of their most internationally recognized songs (with an English version)
👉 “Love Talk” MV (YouTube)“Eternal White (白色定格)” – a smoother, atmospheric track
👉 “白色定格 (Eternal White)” MV (YouTube)
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
