“Everything that I’ve put out has been authentic and real, but I think this is finally me finding my sound in my voice,” Leon Bridges tells Rated R&B over the phone. He’s reflecting on the process of recording his third album, Gold-Diggers Sound, which is out now via Columbia Records. The album’s title was inspired
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It’s been about a year since we heard new music from Elijah Blake, but the singer-songwriter returns with “Dreams” featuring rapper Trinidad James. Willing to break out of heaven, Blake smoothly croons over the laid-back production. The song leads with a sparkling guitar that merges into the solid drum production, adding to the tranquil energy. On
This year has pretty much been all BJ The Chicago Kid. The Chicago crooner maintains his active music status with the release of 4 AM, his new EP. The four-track project, launched through his BJ Wednesdays series held this month, includes recent singles “Make You Feel Good” featuring Lucky Daye and “Type Of Day” with
A new era for Kevin Ross has begun with the new song “Looking For Love” leading the charge. The self-produced track marks the singer-songwriter’s first new song this year. The song’s mood is akin to the modern soul of Lucky Daye, hitting a hard pause on a potential romance that doesn’t have the full participation of a
Nina Simone aficionados are in for a jazzy treat. Ledisi has released Ledisi Sings Nina, a beloved collection of songs made famous by the High Priestess of Soul. With oversight from frequent studio companion Rex Rideout, this seven-track tribute project features production from Metropole Orkest with Jules Buckley as conductor and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra headed by
August has Tinashe’s name on it. The singer-songwriter has announced her new album 333 will arrive on August 6 via her own Tinashe Music imprint. She also shared the tracklisting and cover art for the follow-up to 2019’s Songs For You. 333 includes Tinashe’s latest singles, “Bouncin” and “Pasadena” featuring Buddy. The album’s other guests include
Samm Henshaw has shared a video for his new track “Grow” with Tiana Major9 as his leading lady. The easygoing love song finds the South Londoner pouring himself into a relationship that he wants to see until the end. He sings, “I just need you near me / With you it’s easier to get by / Like
Khalid has put his Free Spirit days behind him and is on to album three, aptly titled Everything Is Changing. The forthcoming album is set to arrive this fall. Described as his “favorite album” recorded to date, Khalid shared in a statement that the album consists of songs “centering around trying to find a purpose
With more than 25 years of dedicated R&B tunes and musical openness under his belt, Usher is one of the most influential acts of modern time. As a studio savant of Michael Jackson, Usher has seen and continues to see his pivotal impact in songs and vocal types and dance culture in established and emerging
Jamie Jones of All-4-One continues his solo path with the release of “Sunny,” a reimagined take on Bobby Hebb’s ’60s classic. Co-produced by frequent collaborators Lamont Neuble and Tim Stewart, this remake’s instrumentation can’t hide Jones’ love for classic neo-soul. His smoothly appealing voice glides across this magnificent mix of blissed-out organ keys and guitar
H.E.R.’s Lights On Festival just got bigger and brighter. The Grammy and Oscar winner has announced East Coast dates for the star-studded festival. It will be held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Thursday, October 21 and Friday, October 22. The lineup will include legendary R&B acts Maxwell and SWV, as well as newer
R&B newcomer Ajae has returned with his new EP titled Chi. On Chi, Ajae takes listeners on a passionate voyage that centers around creative and sexual liberation — with an emphasis on the latter. Sensual songs like “Way You Move” and “Midnight Blue” were most definitely made for the bedroom, while “Luxus” could be played on a
Eric Bellinger has shared the second new track from his upcoming album. It’s called “Only Fan” and was produced by Roark Bailey (Summer Walker, Kiana Ledé). In this seductive, mid-tempo, Bellinger declares that his lady is worth more than the gratification given on the popular site of a similar name. Although, however, he does not
Joy Denalane has spent 2021 issuing tracks here and there to satisfy traditional R&B fans. Her latest track, “Forever,” is even more intentional, serving as an offering from the deluxe edition of last year’s Let Yourself Be Loved. It arrives with a music video. Discussing the new track, Denalane said, “The song was quite a
You may not be familiar with Phabo yet, but you’re definitely familiar with his words. Lending his pen to the likes of Kehlani and Kyle Dion, the LA-based singer/songwriter is ready for the world to hear his talents on his debut album Soulquarius. Presented by Soulection records, the 16-track premier boasts on capturing the spirit of
After a brief hiatus, Adrian Marcel makes his return to music with the new song “I Gotchu (End of the Day)” his first single since last year’s “NoWhere.” With this relaxed, reassuring midtempo, the Oakland, Calif. native tells his lady how he will do all the necessary things to make her feel loved and protected. Speaking
Tink has no problem admitting that she’s not into sharing on her new single “Selfish” featuring Yung Bleu. Produced by Hitmaka (Omarion, Tinashe) and OG Parker (Chris Brown, Summer Walker), the Chicago singer-songwriter flexes both her singing and rapping skills as she expresses how she wants the attention all to herself. She sings on the
Normani is back. The R&B-pop sensation has teamed up with Cardi B for her new single “Wild Side” — and it arrives with an accompanying video, of course. Over an intoxicating production, which interpolates Aaliyah’s “One in a Million,” Normani sings about her desires to spice things up in the bedroom. “We can’t just keep
C.S. Armstrong has released a mixtape of covers titled Deep Covers 187. It is available for streaming on Audiomack. Among the remakes on the mixtape are H.E.R.’s platinum-selling single “Damage” and SZA’s hit standalone track “Good Days.” Courtesy of an acoustic guitar, finger snaps, and raspy, slothful vocals, Armstrong also puts his spin on Solange’s
Muni Long is back with a new EP. The seven-track release, Nobody Knows, follows last year’s Black Like This, which featured standouts “Polaroid” and “Breakin Up.” Leading to the new project, Long dished out three songs: “Build a Bae” featuring Yung Bleu, “Sneaky Leak,” and “Thot Thoughts” featuring Sukihana. In addition, she has issued music videos for each