Jai’Len Josey is on the go. When she joins me on Zoom, she’s making her way out of a venue where she just wrapped up a shoot for her debut album, Serial Romantic, which put her a few minutes behind schedule. “I’m so sorry. Please forgive me,” she says, adjusting her wired headphone as the
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Chris Brown has unveiled the official tracklist forBROWN, his 12th album, which will release May 8. The 27-track LP includes the singles “Holy Blindfold,” “It Depends” featuring Bryson Tiller, “Obvious” and “Fallin’” featuring Leon Thomas. The album features additional collaborations with singers Lucky Daye, Tank and Fridayy. It’s worth noting that Tank also contributes background
Kehlani has the No. 1 R&B album in the U.S. this week. Her self-titled fifth LP opens at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top R&B Albums chart. It’s her fourth visit to the top and her seventh top 10 overall. Here’s an overview of Kehlani’s top 10s on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart, ranked by peak: SweetSexySavage,
FLO is getting ready to bring summer heat. The British R&B-pop trio has announced their second album, Therapy at the Club, will release July 24 via Republic Records. “We’re incredibly proud to finally share Therapy at the Club, our sophomore album, with the world. It’s a body of work that feels super personal to us,
Isaia Huron is a supertasker. When he joins our Zoom call, he’s mid-match on Call of Duty, where he’ll remain for the entirety of our conversation. “I’m not a serious gamer or anything like that, but I usually play during interviews because, honestly, it helps me think straighter and helps me get to the answer
Welcome to Chart Brief, Rated R&B’s weekly column tracking the latest movements across R&B charts. Each week, we’ll break down and analyze the R&B artists making waves on the Billboard, radio, and streaming charts. This edition covers the charts dated May 2, 2026. Billboard Charts Adult R&B Airplay Tracks the week’s top Adult R&B hits
Eric Bellinger pays tribute to his late mother on his new single “Just Like You.” On the heartfelt track, produced by Troy Oliver and Troy Taylor, Bellinger sings about carrying on her legacy through all he’s learned. “Everything I am I owe it all to you / Momma, you gave me faith, so I believed
Ten months after releasing his sophomore album,Beloved, Givēon is back with the deluxe edition,Beloved: Act II. The expanded set includes five additional tracks, bringing the project’s total to 19.The opener, “Jezebel,” is an instant standout that feels like a descendant of The Gap Band’s “Outstanding” and Frankie Beverly’s “We Are The One.” It feels good
Mýa is back withRetrospect, her 10th studio album and first in eight years, via Planet 9/Virgin Music Group. The 16-track set is packed with the previously shared “Anytime,” “Face to Face,” “Give It to You,” “ASAP” and “Just a Little Bit” featuring Too $hort. Other collaborators include 21 Savage, who appears on the “ASAP (Remix),”
Rated R&B is bringing you the most essential releases this week. From the traditional R&B that purists love to the boundary-pushing sounds of the alt-R&B scene, this new music roundup keeps its pulse on the essence of R&B. Dive into it below. Givēon – Beloved: Act II [album] Givēon’s Beloved: Act II, the deluxe edition
Ledisi is bringing her majestic voice to Broadway. The Grammy-winning singer and actress has been cast in the new musicalWanted,set to premiere this fall. The New Orleans native will star as Tallulah Clarke, mother of the sisters Clarke, opposite Solea Pfeiffer (Hadestown, Gatsby: An American Myth) as Mary Clarke and Liisi LaFontaine (West End: Moulin
Welcome to Chart Brief, Rated R&B’s weekly column tracking the latest movements across R&B charts. Each week, we’ll break down and analyze the R&B artists making waves on the Billboard, radio, and streaming charts. This edition covers the charts dated May 23, 2026. Billboard Charts Adult R&B Airplay Tracks the week’s top Adult R&B hits
The BET Awards 2026 nominees have been revealed. Culture’s Biggest Night, hosted by Druski, airs live June 28 at 8 p.m. ET on BET. It will also simulcast on Paramount+, BET HER, MTV and VH1. Rap act Cardi B leads the pack this year with six nods, including Best Female Hip Hop Artist. Meanwhile, Mariah
Johnny Gill is back with another smooth jam for the yearners. His new single, “A Dance, A Kiss,” is as romantic as the title suggests, with luxe horns and percussion that sways. The Snoop Dogg and Soopafly production sets the mood for a candlelit night of slow dancing and passionate gazes. Gill’s resonant vocals heighten
Rising R&B sensation Kwn is ready to set the summer ablaze with new music. The East London native has announced her new EP And All Pride Asidewill release June 26 via RCA Records. The project is a continuation of her breakout EP, With All Due Respect. “Thank you for being patient,” Kwn wrote on Instagram.
British R&B singer Daley is back with his new single “Lavender” via TEXX7 Records/SRG-ILS Group. On the self-penned and produced track, Daley strolls through love’s botanical garden, where he yearns for a partner who matches his desire. It’s the kind of romance that feels effortless and easy to get lost in, like a floral haze
Alt-R&B singer 6LACK has unleashed his fourth album, Love is the New Gangsta, via LVRN/Interscope Records. The 15-track set is a meditation on the various shades of love: the intricacies of romance, the fulfillment of family, the joys of friendship and community and the necessary work of self-healing. It’s 6LACK as we know him —
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) has announced Leon Thomas will be honored with its Vanguard Award. The invite-only event, which will celebrate ASCAP’s top R&B, hip-hop and gospel songwriters, is set for June 25 in Los Angeles, ahead of the 2026 BET Awards. Thomas, a 3x Grammy winner, will be recognized
Bryson Tiller is heading on the road. The alt-R&B star has revealed the dates for his headliningNeo Trapsoul Tour. The massive 61-date trek kicks off Aug. 27 in West Valley City, Utah, at Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre. The North American leg will make additional stops in Dallas, Atlanta, Baltimore, Toronto, Memphis, Louisville and more,
Durand Bernarr can’t recall the last time he had eight hours of sleep. “I feel like there was one or two nights within the past 30 days where I got some serious rest, but it is so far in between. But eight hours? That’s that Mariah Carey slumber,” Bernarr quips over Zoom from his Los