BET Launched Fan Poll for Top R&B Songs
The network has invited fans to vote for the 20 songs that have defined the current decade of R&B music.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in R&B
Live Poll
Do fan-driven polls accurately identify the songs that best define a decade of music?
BET has opened a public poll allowing fans to select their favorite R&B records of the 2020s. The network aims to identify tracks that have defined the current era through listener retention.
Why it matters
The initiative seeks to quantify listener engagement to determine which songs have become cultural touchstones for the decade. By crowdsourcing the selection, BET tracks evolving listener preferences in contemporary R&B.
Fans are allowed to submit one ballot every 24 hours containing up to 20 selections per round. The final list will feature a total of 20 songs.
The players
BET
BET is a prominent American media network that focuses on African American culture and music programming.
The Soul Train Awards
The Soul Train Awards is an annual music awards show honoring excellence in African American music and entertainment since 1987.
The details
Participants can cast their votes online to help curate the final list of top tracks. The results are scheduled to be unveiled during the broadcast of The Soul Train Awards Red Carpet Show, which will be streamed across YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitch.
Timeline
October 16, 2026: The public voting window closes.
November 27, 2026: The final top 20 list will be unveiled during the Soul Train Awards.
Industry Dynamics
The push to define the best music of the 2020s highlights how networks are leveraging interactive digital polls to maintain relevance in the streaming era. This trend mirrors the ongoing shift in the music industry where fan-driven metrics and social media engagement now dictate historical ranking and genre recognition.
Fans can influence the final ranking by submitting ballots once every day until the mid-October deadline. The reveal will be accessible through multiple digital platforms including YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitch.
The takeaway
Listeners can shape the narrative of current music history by participating in the daily voting process. This poll offers a chance to recognize the specific artists and songs that have dominated the airwaves over the past several years.
Further reading
For more on the current landscape of the genre, visit the R&B section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Rolling Out.
Live Poll
Do fan-driven polls accurately identify the songs that best define a decade of music?
