Earlier this week, Billboard unveiled its year-end Boxscore charts for 2025, detailing the top tours, venues, and promoters for the year. As part of this detailed analysis, the focus now shifts to R&B, highlighting its performance in the live music scene.
The statistics surrounding R&B’s presence on the Boxscore charts present a mixed narrative. On the downside, only five R&B acts made it into the overall top 100, which marks a decline compared to previous years; this is the lowest representation since 2018 and half the number from 2023. Conversely, R&B artists accounted for a significant 12.3% of the total revenue generated by the top 100 acts, the second-highest share recorded, amounting to nearly $1.5 billion.
This year, R&B’s high-performing artists have certainly carried the genre’s weight in the rankings. Notably, two of these acts grossed over $300 million, while another surpassed $200 million, and a further artist exceeded the $100 million mark. This stark contrast is particularly noteworthy when considering that last year, only a single R&B artist achieved a gross in the nine figures.
Adding to the genre’s remarkable performance is Beyoncé, who, despite categorizing her Cowboy Carter Tour in a different category, remains an influential figure. Previously, she topped the all-genre Top Tours chart in both 2016 and 2023, significantly boosting R&B’s total figures. As newer headliners emerge alongside her, this evolution showcases a promising future for R&B touring.
The ten highest-grossing R&B tours have been identified based on the latest performance statistics from Billboard’s Top R&B Albums and Hot R&B Songs charts. These rankings reflect figures reported to Billboard Boxscore for shows worldwide between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025.
This strong showing from a select few top-tier R&B artists illustrates their immense impact on the music industry and highlights the genre’s continued relevance in the realm of live performances. Despite the decline in the number of acts within the top tier, the financial success underscores an enduring strength in R&B. With the emergence of fresh talent and established stars drawing significant crowds, the future for R&B in live music remains bright.