R&B

This year’s summer soundtrack has mood music from Lou Val. In collaboration with Soulection Records, the emerging singer has released his sophomore EP Tayo and the Dreamer. It follows Lonely In Paradise, released two years ago.  The six-track project finds Val exemplifies uniting conditions of life and romance with dragged-out melodies and austere moony productions.

Paloma Ford is still putting out visuals to support her 2020 release X Tapes. The Los Angeles-born artist has released a music video for “All For Nothing” featuring Rick Ross.  “I wanted the concept to be as strong as the lyrics and the message in the song,” Ford mentioned in a press release. “The opening

Rotimi has dropped two new tracks: ”What to Do” and “Decide,” both produced by Hitmaka.  “What to Do” is a classic Hitmaka-crafted club anthem. The 808-heavy song goes smoothly with Rotimi’s melodic, soothing voice as he tells his girl she knows what to do when they hook up. Hitmaka’s signature ad-libs help add to the overall

Even in these times of trap soul and rap-R&B, there are still some very prominent soul singers. South East London artist Joel Culpepper is one of them and delivers us a soulful new tune, “Tears of a Crown.”  On the groovy track, backed by snaps, horns, and a wah-wah guitar, Culpepper takes on the vocal

Jazmine Sullivan slid through at the 2021 BET Awards to share some Heaux Tales from her award-winning project.  The skilled vocalist reclaimed her time with help from Congresswoman Maxine Waters during her first-televised performance of “Tragic.” She also was joined by Ari Lennox for an unbelievable live take of “On It.”  Following her performance, Sullivan accepted the award for

In 2019, Rated R&B named Cautious Clay one of our artists to watch. His debut album Deadpan Love, out now, proves why the fast-growing musician was deserving of the title. The 14-track release follows a pair of EPs (Cold War, Table of Context), which earned Clay notoriety for his broad musicianship and sharp songwriting. It

In 1995, Mary J. Blige appeared on Showtime at the Apollo in a leather newsboy cap, a Vanson motorcycle jacket, and thigh-high boots to promote her newly released second album, My Life. She had the sold-out audience in the palm of her hands, rocking out with confidence and fly-girl swag to the Bad Boy Butter

Sault, an impactful UK collective, is back with their fifth album. Nine follows last year’s Untitled (Black Is) and Untitled (Rise), two records that served as protest music during an uncertain time when Black people were more under attack than ever before.  Nine remains focused on themes of distrust in police and Black liberation. It

Tank is headed to the 2021 BET Awards with a number-one single. “Can’t Let it Show,” the R&B general’s emotional new single, owns the top position on R&B radio, reaching almost 12 million listeners. This marks his first leader on this airplay format since 2019’s steamy single “Dirty.” With success on R&B radio, Tank could

Kenny Lattimore is back. The R&B veteran has released a new song called “Pressure,” and he’s indeed applying it.  “Pressure” is a clear comeback record that could likely put Lattimore back in the arms of R&B radio listeners. He modernizes his signature sound, hitting a caressing falsetto and other suave notes to confess how his lady

When prominent Black-owned media companies come to mind, Ebony, around for more than 75 years, is at the top of the list. The Recording Academy has recognized its contribution to the Black community and has entered a partnership under the new leadership of President/CEO Harvey Mason Jr.  Their first order of business is Recording Academy

Mary J. Blige has shared the end credits song “Hourglass” heard in her new Amazon Prime documentary Mary J. Blige’s My Life, now streaming.  The piano ballad was co-written by Teddy Riley, Andy Murray, Benjamin Wright, and RØMANS and produced by the latter. It finds Blige probing about what-ifs and how regrets and uncertainty only stand in the

Broccoli City has announced its 2021 lineup. Snoh Aalegra, Lucky Daye, Justine Skye, and artists from Soulection are set to perform at the festival on October 2 at RFK Festival Grounds in Washington, D.C.  The 2021 Broccoli City Festival will also feature Lil Baby, Moneybagg Yo, Rubi Rose, and 3ohBlack. Tickets go on sale this

BJ The Chicago Kid knows firsthand what it’s like living and growing up in The Windy City. That’s why the singer-songwriter was the perfect choice to record a new song called “The Chi,” named after the Showtime hit series.  The enlightening song, produced by Jairus Mozee, finds BJ giving listeners a walk-through on surviving in his

After securing his first top 10 R&B single on Billboard this year with “No Plans For Love” featuring Ne-Yo, D-Nice has teamed up with Kiana Ledé for his new track “Rather Be.” Over a soothing production, crafted by CasperDoltAgain, Ledé tries to make sense of how she feels about her relationship.  “Hold my heart, my

Nao’s has teamed up with Oscar and Grammy-winning producer D’Mile for her new single “Messy Love.” In an effort to protect her energy, Nao sings about deciding to leave an unhealthy relationship. She’s gone back and forth between staying and leaving, and now she’s strong enough to do without what she describes as a complex affair. 

H.E.R. has the number-one R&B song in the country, as “Damage” moves from No. 3-1 in its 22nd week on the Billboard Adult R&B Airplay chart. The new tally makes H.E.R.’s second leader as a lone artist and her sixth topper overall on this respective chart. She previously went to the top earlier this year

When Drake dropped “Marvins Room” in 2011, it immediately inspired some R&B artists to record their own rendition. Artists like Chris Brown, JoJo and Teyana Taylor saw viral success with their respective covers. Now, a decade later, Queen Naija shares her cover of the multi-platinum track, in partnership with Amazon Music for Black Music Month.