R&B

Usher and H.E.R. have released “Risk It All,” the second offering from The Color Purple soundtrack, out Dec. 15 via Warner Bros. Pictures, WaterTower Music and gamma. H.E.R. produced the piano-laden ballad and co-wrote it with Jimmy Napes. On “Risk It All,” Usher and H.E.R. navigate the turbulence of their relationship, going all out to stay

Alicia Keys’ critically acclaimed musical, Hell’s Kitchen, is coming to Broadway in spring 2024.  The stageplay, inspired by Keys’ upbringing in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood, will begin performances March 28, 2024, at the historic Shubert Theatre. It will officially open April 20.  The 15x Grammy-winning singer announced the news at a recent benefit concert at The

Genre-blending singer Tyla has announced her first headlining tour. Dubbed The Tyla Tour, the upcoming trek launches March 21, 2024, at Parkteatret in Oslo, Norway. From there, she will perform across the U.K. and Europe, making stops in Stockholm, Berlin, Paris and London. On April 22, Tyla will kick off the North American leg in San

Brandy has unwrapped the official video for her holiday single “Christmas Party for Two.” Directed by Frank Gatson and Sikora, the black-and-white video, staged at a lovely home, follows a bubbly Brandy, who gets an expected visit from a well-dressed suitor. Brandy and her friend share laughs over a glass of Smooth Black, one of

R&B singer Tweet has achieved a new certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).  Her 2002 debut single, “Oops (Oh My)” featuring Missy Elliott, has been crowned gold by the RIAA. The song has sold more than 500,000 equivalent units.  The Timbaland-produced song has garnered 68 million streams on Spotify; it’s Tweet’s most-streamed

As we enter the final stretch of 2023, more R&B artists are gearing up for tours and concerts in 2024. Before we get into the upcoming shows, let’s look back at some of the highlights of 2023. This year, R&B artists from all walks of life toured cities worldwide. Rising acts like Chlöe, Coco Jones,

Rising alt-R&B singer Destin Conrad is set to embark on his first headlining tour in 2024. Emerging soul artist Amaria will join him on the trek.  The Submissive Tour, named after his latest project, launches Feb. 4, 2024, in Austin, Texas. The North American leg will make additional stops in Dallas, New Orleans, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Toronto,

Marsha Ambrosius is back. The award-winning singer and songwriter has released her new single, “The Greatest,” via Aftermath Records/Interscope Records.  She co-produced the track with Dr. Dre, Dem Jointz, Focus…, Trevor Lawrence Jr. and Erik “Bluetooth” Griggs. On “The Greatest,” Ambrosius praises her partner as the zenith of the love she has ever experienced. “And

Kyle Dion has announced his new EP, If My Jeans Could Talk, will release Jan. 19, 2024, via Position music. It will mark the alt-soul singer’s first project released on the label. Dion revealed the project artwork, featuring a large image of himself in front of a yellow background, wearing stylish jeans with the title

Mariah the Scientist has achieved her first two awards from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Her 2020 track “Always n Forever” featuring Lil Baby is certified gold, with 500,000 equivalent units sold. The Earl on the Beat-produced tune has more than 34 million streams on Spotify.  Meanwhile, the official video has surpassed 19

Rising singer Raiche is back with her new EP, Loveland, via GDE/Island Prolific/Atlantic Records. The 13-track offering includes the previously shared songs “Burn Your Clothes,” “Fool,” “Feelings,” “Big Daddy,” “Late Show,” and “Half & Half.” The second pre-EP single, “Fool,” was the most therapeutic song on Loveland, according to Raiche’s interview with Rated R&B last

Kaytranada is back with two new songs, “Lover/Friend” and “Stuntin.” The Haitian-Canadian producer helmed each track, with one featuring Rochelle Jordan and the other with Channel Tres. In “Lover/Friend,” Rochelle Jordan wants to pursue a romantic relationship with someone who wants a quick response about their status. “No defenses, satisfaction / Stopped your heard, just

Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and producer Alicia Keys has released The Diary of Alicia Keys 20, a digital deluxe edition of her second album. The expanded project arrives one day before the 20th anniversary of Keys’ sophomore album, originally released Dec. 2, 2003. The Diary of Alicia Keys 20 includes all the original songs from the iconic album,

R&B superstar Usher has teamed with K-pop artist Jung Kook for a remix of his song “Standing Next to You.” The updated version, which includes writing support from Johntá Austin, features the R&B icon’s harmonious vocals skating over the synth-funk production. “The universe approves when you and I dance / So elegant and heaven sent

Rising singer Tyla is set to release her self-titled debut album on March 1, 2024, via Epic Records. Regarding the album’s title, she told Zane Lowe of Apple Music, “For now, my introduction to the world, I just wanted to be clean, Tyla. I want people to get to know my name and get to

Josh Levi is spreading holiday joy this season with his cover of “Let It Snow,” penned by Wanya Morris of Boyz II Men and Brian McKnight. On Levi’s cover, he not only aims to dazzle traditionalists who cherish the original version but also expresses gratitude to the person who introduced “Let It Snow” to him

Beyoncé has surprised her fans with a new song, “My House.” She co-wrote and co-produced it with her frequent collaborator The-Dream.  “My House” follows Beyoncé’s previously shared “DELRESTO (ECHOES)” with Travis Scott and “America Has A Problem” remix featuring Kendrick Lamar. “My House” was first previewed in the end credits of Renaissance World Tour: A Film

J. Valentine has returned with his new single “Thank Me For That” via R&B Money. It’s his first solo song since 2020.  On the acoustic-laden track, produced by Shawn Holmes, J. Valentine sings about building up an ex-lover only for someone else to benefit. While it may come across as being self-centered, the song underscores

Grammy-nominated singer Brent Faiyaz released a live album, Apple Music: Brent Faiyaz. It arrives following his Apple Music Live concert, which premiered on the platform on Wednesday (Nov. 29). The 22-track album features Faiyaz’s performance, recorded at the Eventim Apollo in London on the closing night of the second leg of his F**k The World,

Mariah the Scientist has announced the dates for her 2024 To Be Eaten Alive Tour to support her latest album of the same name.  The Live Nation-produced trek will begin in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Feb. 1, 2024, followed by eight shows throughout the month in the U.K. and Europe. A North American leg begins March