Doja Cat, Kaytranada, Ravyn Lenae and More Are Driving an ’80s Revival That’s More Than Recession Pop

The ’80s are back, but not as empty nostalgia. Right now, Black artists are resurrecting funk, disco, synth-pop and neo-soul, crafting them into emotionally rich music that resonates deeply in 2025. 

From superstar pop to avant-garde R&B, this style revival is about vulnerability, identity and cultural reclamation.