R&B

Grammy-nominated singer Alex Isley has achieved her first award from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Her 2020 hit “Good & Plenty,” with singer/musician Masego and producer Jack Dine, is now certified gold. The sultry jam has sold over 500,000 equivalent units in the U.S. Not only is “Good & Plenty” Isley’s first RIAA

Love has Nija swept off her feet in her new single “Heaven.” Produced by Jack Rochon, “Heaven” is steeped in slow-burning intimacy as she sings, “Ooh, give me a glimpse of heaven baby / Let me breathe you in.” Nija tells Rated R&B, “‘Heaven’ is about that feeling when love hits you so deep it

Chris Brown has officially kicked off a new era with his song “Holy Blindfold.” It was co-produced by The Monsters & Strangerz, Jonathan Bellion, and Tenroc. On the breezy track, Brown sings about the euphoric rush of being lost in love. “Let the sky fall / If I’m lookin’ at you, then my lens is

Grammy-nominated alt-R&B singer Gallant has joined forces with Wooyoung, from the K-pop band ATEEZ, for his new song “underpressure!” The synth-laced groove, co-written by Gallant, Maddox, and Eden (이든), captures a couple whose love is put to the test. Rather than calling it quits, Gallant is committed to easing their tension. “The bad days hit

Grammy-winning singer and songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae has announced her first children’s picture book,Put Your Records On. Titled after her 2006 hit, the book is scheduled to publish March 3, 2026, via Rocky Pond Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers. Put Your Records On, illustrated by Gillian Eilidh O’Mara, depicts a beautiful story of

Rising R&B-pop sensation Josh Levi has unveiled his debut album, HYDRAULIC, will release July 25 via Issa Rae’s Raedio/Atlantic Records. Speaking on his new album, Levi shares, “Love, like hydraulics, is a system that lifts, dips, and demands care and maintenance. It reflects the ups and downs in life. Love can also be seen as

Mýa takes it back to the ’80s with her new single “Give It to You,” which she co-produced with LaMar Edwards, Michael Cox and John Groover. “Give It to You” is a slick groove that drips with nostalgic synths and a funky bassline. On the dance-ready track, Mýa can’t help but express her devotion to

BET has announced the honorees of its Ultimate Icon Award, which will be presented at the 2025 BET Awards on Monday, June 9. Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, Kirk Franklin and Snoop Dogg will be recognized for “their decades of groundbreaking contributions to music, entertainment, advocacy, and community impact.” The iconic entertainers join previous recipients Janet

Mariah Carey celebrates the 20th anniversary of her groundbreaking albumThe Emancipationof Mimiwith a commemorative rerelease. The Emancipiation of Mimi (20th Anniversary Edition)features all the album’s original tracks, including No. 1 hits “We Belong Together,” “Shake It Off” and “Don’t Forget About Us,” plus previously unreleased tracks, special remixes, instrumentals and acapellas. Some of the new

Leon Thomas has unleashed MUTT Deluxe: HEEL,an expanded version of his second album,MUTT,via EZMNY Records/Motown Records. “MUTT has always been about embracing complexity in sound, in identity, in experience,” says Thomas. “HEEL is me leaning even deeper into that chaos, and finding beauty in it.” HEELincludes all the original album’s 14 tracks, including the No.

R&B singer Justine Skye has inked a deal with Warner Records. She joins a roster that includes Alex Isley, Benson Boone, Dua Lipa, Gary Clark Jr., Teddy Swims and many more. Along with her label announcement, Skye has released her first single in two years, “Oh Lala.” Produced by Kaytranada, “Oh Lala” is an insistent

Leon Thomas has achieved his first award from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The Grammy winner’s hit single “Mutt” is now certified platinum, with over one million equivalent units sold in the U.S. The D. Phelps and Freaky Rob-produced track was released Aug. 9, 2024, as the lead single and title track to

Teyana Taylor is ready for her return to music. The multi-hyphenate talent has announced her new album, Escape Room,which will release in August via Def Jam. The album will be accompanied by a short film of the same name that Taylor wrote, directed and produced under her production company, The Aunties. Described as a “post-apocalyptic/futuristic,

Durand Jones & The Indications — Durand Jones, Aaron Frazer and Blake Rhein — have released their new single “Lovers’ Holiday.” It’s the third single from the progressive soul band’s upcoming album, Flowers, out June 27 via Dead Oceans. “Lovers’ Holiday” is as delightful as the title suggests. Over a smooth-sailing production, fused with sun-kissed

Dvsn has found a new label home. The R&B duo, consisting of vocalist Daniel Daley and producer Nineteen85, has signed a multi-album deal with Jermaine Dupri‘s So So Def Recordings under its new worldwide distribution partnership with HYBE AMERICA. Dvsn is the first act to sign to So So Def since relaunching under a new

Mariah Carey is gearing up to release new music — and soon. The global superstar took to social media on Monday (June 2) to post a teaser video hinting at her next era. The clip opens with Carey revving up her sports car with her 2005 hit “It’s Like That” playing in the background. Moments

Rap phenomenon Drake and alt-R&B sensation PARTYNEXTDOOR are taking their joint album on the road. The pair has announced the dates for their $ome $pecial $hows 4 UK EU Tour. Powered by Live Nation, the run of shows kicks off July 20 at Utilita Arena in Birmingham, U.K. From there, Drizzy and PND will perform

Teyana Taylor has officially kicked off a new musical era with “Long Time,” the lead single from her upcoming album, On the moody dance track produced by Rico Love and The Runners, Taylor contemplates a past relationship, recognizing that she stayed longer than she should have. “I kept you inspired / I lent you my

Lionel Richie will tell his story in his own words in his new memoir, Truly.The music icon’s new book, titled after his 1982 solo debut single, will release Sept. 30 via HarperOne, an imprint of HarperCollins. According to the synopsis, the “intimate” memoir chronicles Richie’s “lessons learned during his unlikely story of remarkable success—his dramatic

Global, generational superstar Janet Jackson will be honored with the ICON Award at the 2025 American Music Awards (AMAs). The prestigious award, which tallies Jackson’s 12th AMA, honors “an artist whose music has had undeniable cultural and global influence over the music industry.” Not only will Jackson accept the award, but she will also perform.