R&B

Elijah Blake’s new video for his return single “Dreams” featuring Trinidad James is seriously hazy and full of drip. Sean Alexander, who has managed the lens for Blake in a handful of his other past videos, puts the singer-songwriter up in a warehouse where his eccentric fashion makes the classic car he leans on obsolete.

Chucky Thompson, the exemplary music producer from Washington, D.C., has died. His longtime friend and Grammy-winning protégé Young Guru revealed the news in a heartfelt Instagram post on Monday. He wrote, “There is nothing I can write that will take away this pain. I have to say RIP to my mentor, my big brother, the

Situations will arise when things turn sour. Reggie Becton knows all about that process in his new video, “Issues.” Directed by Chris & Moy, the video chronicles the days leading up to the demise of Becton’s relationship. Packing up to move across the country, he takes a look at a polaroid that stirs up memories

Sammie is now on the right road and takes his testimony to the altar on his new three-pack EP 3:33.    In a series of Instagram posts, Sammie broke down the purpose of releasing the project he dedicates to his late grandmother Angil.  He said, “I was born in a small city in Florida where many don’t make it

It’s easy to hear why Yola got a recording contract. Her bewitching voice bonded with excellent songwriting skills instantly spring up the ears of existing and new audiences, giving you reasons to explore her discography for hours.  Stand For Myself, the genre-fluid chanteuse’s latest album, is no different and expected to swarm her in a maelstrom

R&B legend Monica is recording a country album, according to a recent interview with Billboard. Currently working in the studio with Brandi Carlile, Monica shared that the album, rooted in a genre she’s had close to her heart for many years, could arrive before the end of 2021.  “I felt like this was a great time for me to

In 1996, Usher appeared on the soundtrack of Kazaam, the magical feature film starring NBA player Shaquille O’Neal. He performed the track “I Swear I’m In Love.” It was his first time working with the dynamic production duo Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. Jam recalls his initial time collaborating with the then-budding artist being “real

Lonr. and Amber Mark duet on a new song titled “Save My Love.” It’s lifted from the upcoming Reminiscence soundtrack, which arrives on August 20, the same release date as the Lisa Joy-directed film that stars Hugh Jackman and Rebecca Ferguson.  The soul-baring tune was produced by Jeff “Gitty” Gitelman (H.E.R., John Legend), and hears Lonr. and

Tamela Mann has the warmth and sweetness of a golden-crusted apple pie and a decorated career worth crowning her a living gospel legend. “I’m going to try and live up to every bit of it,” says a humble and appreciative Mann at the close of a phone conversation with Rated R&B. She is most deserving

Jorja Smith is broadening her sonic horizons with her new Guilty Beatz-produced song, “All of This.” Here, the African producer/DJ introduces Smith to a fresh audience through the Amapiano-inspired number. Smith solemnly recounts how much she had given herself to an undeserving love in a sea of weeping synths and bolting percussion. She sings on the

Justice will finally be served to Toni Braxton’s sixth studio album, Libra. Barry Hankerson’s Blackground Records 2.0 will reissue the album on October 1, in partnership with EMPIRE. In addition to hitting streaming services, it will be re-released with a vinyl and CD format. Libra originally released on September 27, 2005, and debuted at No. 4 on

“It gets no funkier than Rick James,” said rap pioneer Roxanne Shanté in a new trailer for a Showtime documentary dedicated to the life and career of the randy punk-funk legend.  Directed by Emmy-nominated Sacha Jenkins, Bitchin’: The Sound and Fury of Rick James is described in an official statement as a film that “presents a full

Stokley is back with a new song called “Woman” from his upcoming album, Sankofa. The KiDi-assisted tune arrives with an melanin-packed video, directed by REX.  The Afrobeat-flavored track finds both stars bowing to their designed helpmate, proclaiming they are nothing without them.  “I’m a king, but I still need my rib / Need a queen that can

Before Uforo “Bongo ByTheWay” Ebong became a platinum-selling producer, he was a pre-teen with a natural knack for music. Around age eight, he started rapping. He soon realized that he needed beats to rap over. By age 11, he began experimenting with making beats. “I realized you can’t use other people’s beats, which was a

Phony Ppl is hitting the road ahead of their forthcoming album. The Nowhere But Up Tour itinerary takes the five-man collective across North America this fall, kicking off in Boston on October 20 at the Brighton Music Hall.  Along the road, the hipsters will play shows in Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, and Toronto, before ending things

Jake&Papa is the zone with new music. The duo has unleashed a new song called “Run&Gun,” and it’s produced by Cookup Kwame.  The boisterous track finds the brother pair singing about coming from nothing and promising more wins ahead. In the process, they chin-check their haters, letting them know it’s going to take more than

On the new reflective and piano-laden song “Alive,” Cynthia Erivo sees no point in avoiding the pain of the past when it benefits the evolution. Its earnest pop&B flare is deftly reminiscent of Rihanna and features solid and wistful lyrics co-written with Sean Douglas.  “Sometimes we run away from who we’ve been and what we’ve

Genre-blending artist Tink is back with her new album titled Heat of the Moment.  The 14-track LP, executive produced by Hitmaka, includes guests appearances from Jeremih, Yung Bleu, David and more. Speaking on Heat of the Moment, the Chicago native said, “I want people to see the elevation in me.” She added, “I’m excited for this album,

Leela James offers proof that women in music can balance a great career with motherhood. On a Tuesday afternoon, the gritty soul singer, hailing from Los Angeles, Calif., kindly asks her energetic son to remain quiet during our Zoom video call. She goes on to laugh at herself after the smoke detector chirps out of

A statement album of unreleased songs by Prince has been released today. Welcome 2 America includes 12 songs taken from studio sessions of a previously announced 2010 album.  Among the once-shelved recordings, sanctioned by Legacy and The Prince Estate, is the title track, a song influenced by Curtis Mayfield (“Born 2 Die”), and “Hot Summer.” All