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While the USA is the birthplace and mecca of R&B, the UK has been a hotbed of dynamic R&B artists who have experienced critical and commercial success.

To celebrate the launch of DJ Chuckie's new R&B show, we caught up with him to find out more of what will be in store in his weekly Saturday night from 11pm, and get his take on nine songs from artists spanning several generations, looking at their impact - past, present and future – on the genre, both home and abroad.

British soul collective and sound system, Soul II Soul made legendary moves in 1990 when their single, earned them their first Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. The win was a iconic moment for the North London-based band - founded by DJ/producer, Jazzie B OBE - and featuring singer Caron Wheeler, heralding a movement in the UK that sent ripples to this day.

The song has a personal sentimental feeling to Chuckie as it was one played a lot at home. "Everytime I hear that song, I look to my mum! That song was constantly being played [at home] and I would love seeing my mum two-stepping to that song!"

Hailed by many soul lovers as one of the godfathers of British R&B, Omar's smooth and soulful seminal song, , defined an era in R&B for British singers. "Omar's voice is soul - he oozes that and that song is a timeless piece!" says Chuckie. The song garnered commercial success - reaching number 14 in the UK Singles Chart - and critical acclaim amongst fans and music peers, such as Erykah Badu and Angie Stone.

"Do you know how I knew how big of a song 'Return of the Mack' was? I went on a family holiday to Turkey and this song was played everyday!" Mark Morrison's crashed onto the charts both nationally and globally in 1996 and to this day is a R&B club classic. The third single from his debut album by the same name, it topped the UK Singles Chart and peaked at number 2 in the Billboard Hot 100. Such was the song's popularity and success, it helped win Mark the MOBO Award for Best R&B in 1996 - and has been sampled by Jennifer Lopez and legendary hip-hop producer J Dilla.

How did a young man from Southampton, enjoying relative success in the UK Garage scene, manage to crossover into R&B and pop stardom? Craig David's single '', taken from his debut 2000 album 'Born to Do It', is the singer's biggest hit to date. Explaining a whirlwind relationship - all in the space of one week - the track defined a golden era in noughties R&B, debuting at the top of the UK singles chart. Such was its success, '7 Days' was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance in 2003.

2000 was a standout year for British R&B. 5-piece boy group Damage released , the first single from their second album 'Since You've Been Gone'. The song and video had an American 90s R&B feel to it (with its punchy bassline and typical 'in the club' feel of the era), having been produced by American Grammy-winning production duo, Tim & Bob. The song peaked at number 7 in the UK Charts and over two decades later is still a British R&B anthem. "Let me tell you something; 'Ghetto Romance' is probably for me one of the greatest R&B songs ever made. It is an absolute sensational song from start to finish - it is a quality and timeless song - everything about it is perfection!"

"Floetry's 'Say Yes' is an incredible slow jam! Whenever I play that at events, the song is sang back to me word for word." The 00s was a golden era for a new type of soul music, emerging from the US. Monikered as 'neo soul', singers such as Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, D'Angelo and Musiq Soulchild were some of the faces of the genre. South-east London duo Floetry absorbed the best of it, moving to Philadelphia and arguably having more success stateside than on their home turf. , taken from their debut album 'Floetic', is a sensual love song that showed boundary-pushing R&B artists from the UK were no fluke.

was the debut single from singer-songwriter Taio Cruz, taken from his debut album 'Departure'. Released in 2006, the song was a club favourite and peaked at number 29 in the UK Singles Chart. And while it went on to be a cult R&B classic, Cruz enjoyed more commercial success with dance-fused songs such as 'Dynamite'.

One of the most successful British R&B breakthroughs of the last decade, singer-songwriter Ella Mai has achieved what many UK acts - irrespective of genre - can only dream of; breaking America! Her debut 2018 single, was the song of the summer both stateside and in the UK, and she’s since landed two top 2 albums in the US R&B charts and Grammy Awards. "Ella Mai created a song that you can play anywhere - from the clubs to your car to your home - anywhere! 'Boo'd Up' is definitely a song that will stand the test of time.

Rounding up the list is East London-born-and-raised singer-songwriter, Tiana Major9. Signed to the legendary Motown Records label, the singer earned her stripes in church. Her 2019 hit with American hip-hop duo, EarthGang, , was taken from the 'Queen & Slim: The Soundtrack' album, for the film of the same name (starring British actors Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith). The song is a dreamy, soulful soundscape that showcases her vocal ability - all tinged with a distinctive British accent. The song was nominated in the Best R&B category at the 2021 Grammy Awards. "I feel as though Tiana Major9 in particular has put a high level of credibility on R&B music making, and I don't even think she knows the influence she has. 'Collide' is a special, special song."