R&B

Emerging R&B act Brandon Banks releases his latest song, “Wonderland.”  Starting with a rhythmic guitar, courtesy of Lophiile (Jack Harlow, BTS), the song eventually grows into a masterful production that includes beautifully placed harmonies and great drumming. Against this background, Banks sings with a soulful tone about balancing oneself and relates it to the nature

Ari Lennox reaches back in time and grabs hold of “A Kind of Magic,” an immortal tune from Queen’s catalog in the late ’80s. The effortless and faithful remake was produced by longtime collaborator Elite and featured in a global film titled The Conductor, honoring the iconic rock band.  Lennox is one of seven artists to

Serayah has a slight addiction and has something to do with the tool in her man’s pants. On “Revenge,” the second song released by the singer/actress this year, she sings about throwing fits and causing a toxic relationship environment to get the best makeup sex of her life. With striking lines like “I’ma block you

Chlöe Bailey’s self-titled debut album is expected to hit the world like a meteorite via Parkwood Entertainment/Columbia Records sometime this year. The project’s first single, “Have Mercy,” was released in the fall of 2021 and topped diverse R&B and hip-hop charts months after. The smash single eventually earned the rising singer-songwriter a gold award from

Jacquees has returned with his new single, “Say Yea,” his first song release of 2022.  Over a pillowy production stitched by XL Eagle, the self-proclaimed King of R&B lays out ways he plans to treat a special woman like a queen. “Gourmet dinner, candlelight, champagne / Order oxtail, lamb chop, valet / Everything exclusive when

John Legend has officially kicked off a new of music. He recently released his new single “Dope” featuring rapper JID as the first offering from his forthcoming album. “I’m so thrilled to be releasing new music,” Legend said. “The past year or so has been so exciting for me creatively. I have been writing and

Sean “Diddy” Combs has begun to assemble talent for his newly-minted label, Love Records, in partnership with Motown Records. First on the roster is Jocelyn “Jozzy” Donald, a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter the mogul introduced at Sunday night’s Billboard Music Awards. At the ceremony, where Mary J. Blige was honored and Maxwell saluted Michael Jackson, Combs brought

‘Tis the season of Chris Brown. The R&B superstar has announced his tenth album, Breezy, will release June 24 via Chris Brown Entertainment/RCA Records.  The album is preceded by Brown’s singles “Iffy” and “WE (Warm Embrace).” The former was produced by Smash David, OG Parker and Blaq Tuxedo. The latter tune, which includes a songwriting

Olivia has reemerged after a two-year break. The first artist signed to Clive Davis’ now-defunct J Records has shared a new single titled “No Permission.” It was produced by High Volume and co-written by Tejai Moore (Jacquees, HEX). Inspired by the traffic rules, “No Permission” is Olivia singing across a hip-hop tempo and offbeat synths

The spring months have been kind to Ari Lennox. “Pressure,” the lead single from her pending second album, has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), with more than 500,000 equivalent units sold. The well-pushed single, produced by Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox, and Elite, marks Lennox’s third consecutive certified gold release

Rising R&B act bLAck pARty is back with his new single “Hotline,” his first release of the year, via Childish Gambino’s label Wolf + Rothstein and RCA Records. Over a breezy production helmed by Lido, bLAck pARty assures his love interest that he will always have time to talk with them on the phone (“Call

In 1982, Michael Jackson had the world at his feet with the release of Thriller, the second best-selling album of all time. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the groundbreaking LP, Maxwell honored Jackson with a gorgeous remake of “The Lady in My Life.”  Suited in a blinged outfit, with matching gloves and shoes to pay

Silk Sonic (Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars) made their Billboard Music Awards debut. The super duo delivered a faithful rendition of “Love’s Train,” a remake of Con Funk Shun’s bedroom classic and their latest hit single on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart.   Behind a shimmering backdrop, Silk Sonic, clad in their now trademark red suits,

Inayah is in album mode. The rising singer has debuted the new single “Always Something” from her forthcoming sophomore album, Insecure. It includes writing assistance from Oscar-nominated super-producer Dixson and Omari “G.O.” Massenburg (DaniLeigh, Rotimi).  “Always Something” is a relatable tune, paired with finger snaps and a steady electric guitar, that speaks directly to the single

Janet Jackson and Jennifer Hudson are headed to this year’s MTV Movie & TV Awards as notable nominees.  Jackson’s feature film JANET, which premiered this past winter on Lifetime and A&E, is nominated in the newly-established Unscripted category: Best Music Documentary. The two-night doc chronicled Jackson’s childhood, her rise to superstardom, past relationships, and other

Muni Long turns the tables on “Pain,” the second single issued under her new Def Jam Recordings deal. The previously teased track from social media was produced by JayUncut, who has worked with artists like Rubi Rose and Cuban Doll.  On “Pain,” built around a steel guitar and programmed drums, Long has vengeance in her

The R&B radio audience has a new Mary J. Blige single to embrace from her most recent album Good Morning Gorgeous. Blige’s duet with Anderson .Paak, “Here With Me,” is the next focus track at radio, Rated R&B reports. The summer jam, produced by Bongo ByTheWay, includes writing credit from Blige, .Paak, and Ant Clemons, has

The Black Music Honors has announced the performers for its 7th annual celebration. The star-studded lineup includes 112, Ahjah Walls and Rhea Walls, Amber Riley, Avery Wilson, Carl Thomas, Crystal Aikin, Eric Bellinger, Eric Roberson, Jade Novah, Keedron Bryant, Kevin Ross, Kid N’ Play, PJ Morton, Raheem DeVaughn, Sheléa and Tasha-Page Lockhart. This year’s honorees

R&B newcomer GoGo Morrow has released her debut single, “In The Way.” It’s her first offering on Harmony Samuels‘ imprint B.O.E. and Universal Music Canada, in partnership with Kenya Barris’ label venture Khalabo Music/Interscope Records. Produced by Samuels, “In The Way” sees Morrow confronting her partner who isn’t emotionally available. “You love me when it’s

John Legend may be taking a break from his Las Vegas residency, but he is still keeping busy. The EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award) winner has announced that his new single “DOPE,” featuring rapper JID, will release May 18 via Republic Records. A snippet of the song is available on Legend’s presave site.