Artists Like Brent Faiyaz

15 Artists Like Brent Faiyaz (Listen If You Love Alt‑R&B Minimalism)

A reader‑friendly deep dive to help you discover new favorites without getting lost in algorithm loops.

What makes Brent’s sound special

Brent Faiyaz sits at the intersection of alternative R&B and stripped‑down hip‑hop. The arrangements are sparse—sub‑bass, rimshot snares, synth pads that feel like midnight air—leaving space for intimate, diaristic vocals.

To find similar artists, listen for the same ingredients: conversational delivery, falsetto drifts, and drum patterns that feel under‑played rather than busy.

For headphones listening, prioritize songs with tasteful room noise, breaths, and finger squeaks—tiny details that make intimacy tangible.

If you like soft falsetto leads, search for acoustic or live‑room versions; the vocal sits even closer and reveals phrasing.

Quick recommendations

Start with Giveon for baritone warmth, 6LACK for confessional flows, and Daniel Caesar for gentle falsetto and satin chords. PARTYNEXTDOOR brings nocturnal synth beds; SZA weaves airy harmonies and layered hooks.

For deeper cuts, try Dijon’s live‑room rawness, Frank Ocean’s painterly lyricism, and UMI’s feather‑light tone. Each scratches a slightly different itch while keeping the same late‑night mood.

Rotate old favorites back into the list every few weeks; familiarity boosts replay value and keeps the mix human.

Pay attention to the pocket—the micro‑timing of kicks and snares. Alt‑R&B often leans behind the grid to feel unhurried.

How we pick ‘similar’

We consider vocal timbre, chord color (minor 7ths, suspended voicings), tempo (usually 65–85 BPM), and the role of negative space. If the drums breathe and the voice sits front‑and‑center, you’re likely in the right neighborhood.

A/B compare two masters: the one with less top‑end may feel warmer and closer, which suits late‑night sets.

Where to go next

Start your queue with one familiar anchor and two new names from this list. If a song grabs you, explore the entire EP—sequencing often tells the deeper story.

Share your finds with a friend who likes the same mood; two ears build better maps than one.

Editorial Team — Alt‑R&B discovery notes.

Published: • Updated:

Similar artist micro‑maps

Giveon → look for songs with sparse upright piano and baritone weight; avoid over‑produced radio edits.

PARTYNEXTDOOR → choose nocturnal synth beds; his mid‑tempo cuts pair nicely after a Brent ballad.

Keys to the palette

Minor 7ths, suspended chords, and soft detune give that nocturnal glow. Layer a tape‑soft pad behind a dry lead vocal to preserve intimacy.

A brushed hat pattern or rim clicks can replace bright cymbals; you keep movement while avoiding top‑end glare.

If you like X, try Y

If you like falsetto‑led hooks with minimalist drums, try Daniel Caesar → UMI → Omar Apollo in that order.

If you prefer baritone leads and piano beds, try Giveon → Zach Zoya → Gallant’s lower register cuts.

Deep listening notes

Focus on the space between hits—the late snare, the inhale before a line. Alt‑R&B feels intimate because producers leave room for micro‑details.

Solo the bass mentally on first listen. If the sub sits under 60Hz with gentle saturation, you’ll feel warmth without mud.

Discovery tactics

Follow credits: when a mix hits you, click the engineer—engineers often carry a consistent sense of space across projects.

Search live session channels and tour openers; many future headliners test new ideas there first.

Starter playlist recipe

Open with a familiar anchor, drift into two slow‑burners, lift slightly with a feature verse, then end with an acoustic or live‑room cut.

Keep BPM within a ±8 window so transitions feel inevitable rather than forced.

Five tracks to audition on headphones

Start with a vocal‑forward ballad, then a mid‑tempo cut with sparse drums; you’ll immediately hear if the mix keeps space for breath and phrasing.

Add one live or acoustic performance to reveal vibrato and mic technique—details that studio gloss can hide.

Sequencing a 30‑minute set

Open with a familiar single, slide into two deep cuts, then add a feature verse for lift. Land with an unplugged take so the arc feels intentional.

Thinking about live shows while you explore

As you sample artists from this list, imagine how their sets would feel on the same bill as Brent—who would open the night, who would close, and who would sit best in the middle. Framing things in terms of a live show can clarify which artists occupy similar emotional space even if their production choices differ.

You might even build a “fantasy lineup” playlist that sequences songs the way you would structure that show.

Paying attention to the writing on repeat listens

Brent's catalog rewards listeners who pay close attention to phrasing, subtext, and the spaces between lines. When you test artists from this list, try running a song a few times with the lyrics open. Notice which writers land small turns of phrase that stick with you long after the track ends.

Those are often the artists who will stay in your rotation for years rather than weeks.

Experimenting with sequencing in your own playlists

The order you place Brent and adjacent artists in a playlist can change how each song feels. Try grouping two or three tracks that lean into confrontation, then easing into more reflective cuts, or vice versa. Notice which sequences make you want to let the playlist run and which make you reach for the skip button.

That sequencing instinct will come in handy if you ever curate for other people or structure a live set of your own.

Noticing what you bring to the music

The same song can feel different depending on what you are carrying into it—a breakup, a win, a long week at work. As you explore artists near Brent's lane, it helps to notice which records feel durable across your moods and which only land in specific moments.

Artists who stay meaningful across different seasons of your life are the ones most likely to sit next to Brent in your long-term rotation.

Testing artists in different playback contexts

Some artists sound incredible on headphones but collapse on bigger speakers; others come alive in a car or a small room with friends. As you test names from this list, try running the same song through a few different setups and volumes.

Paying attention to where the music feels strongest can help you decide which artists belong in your private rotation, your party playlists, or both.

Listening for the small details that feel “Brent-coded”

Sometimes what makes an artist feel close to Brent is not the overall sound but a handful of tiny decisions—a half swallowed ad-lib, a pause before a confession, a melody that dodges the obvious note. As you explore this list, make a habit of jotting down those micro-moments.

Those notes become a personal vocabulary for what the lane means to you, which is more useful than any genre label.

Leaning into artists who sit in mixed emotions

Part of what draws people to Brent is the way his songs hold conflicting feelings at once—wanting closeness and distance, pride and regret, care and selfishness. As you move through this list, notice which artists make space for that same emotional complexity rather than picking one clean mood and staying there.

Those are the voices most likely to resonate long-term if that tension is what you come to Brent for in the first place.

Comparing how artists grow across albums

One rich way to evaluate artists near Brent's lane is to compare their early projects with their most recent work. Are they taking more risks, tightening their writing, or relying on familiar formulas? Do the themes mature alongside the sound, or does only the polish change?

Paying attention to that arc can reveal who is building a catalog you might want to grow with and who delivered one standout moment.

Journaling with lyrics instead of copying them

Instead of posting entire lyrics from Brent or related artists, try writing a few lines about why a specific phrase hit you so hard. Did it mirror something you are living through, or did it articulate a feeling you had not named yet? That kind of reflection deepens your relationship with the music without turning your notes into a wall of quotes.

Over time, those journal entries can trace how your interior life has shifted alongside your rotation.