R&B

If Nobody Knows who Muni Long is, be prepared to find out on July 14 when her next project makes its debut. The forthcoming set follows last year’s Black Like This.  Nobody Knows will feature seven songs, including the previously shared “Build a Bae” featuring Yung Bleu and the sex-positive track “Thot Thoughts” with Sukihana. It also will include the

The Shindellas continue to astound us with their brand of sophisticated soul. Just weeks after melting the hearts of their fans with “Volcano Love,” the fantastic trio return with “When You’re Lonely,” a late-‘80s-esque flashback. Culled from their forthcoming album, Hits That Stick Like Grits, The Shindellas are fed up with the calls in the middle

Andra Day and Janelle Monáe have contributed new songs to Netflix’s upcoming animated musical series, We The People.  The 2021 Best Actress Golden Globe winner reunites with Warren “Oak” Felder for “All Rise,” an empowering selection that calls for justice and equality for all. Day reminds young people to stand their ground for what is right until a positive

DaCosta, Jean Carter and ghettoblasterman — together known as Your Grandparents — shed some light on their debut album. Thru My Window is slated to arrive on July 16 via The Orchard. It will be their first project since their freshman EP Been Cold, released in 2019.  Jointly speaking on the new album, the trio

Being a pawn to a deceitful lover isn’t always apparent until the relationship is over. Lady Way, widely recognized as Nicole Wray, knows how this unfortunate situation feels and sings about it passionately on her new song “Games People Play.”  This retro soul-geared track has an old-school arrangement of driving percussion, swaying horns, and an

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences continues to move forward with its diversity and inclusion efforts regarding membership. The Academy unveiled a new class on Thursday of 395 artists and executives to become members this year, including big names in the R&B community. Among the invitees are Janet Jackson, H.E.R., Dernst “D’Mile” Emile

Keithian might need to fall back from pursuing a certain someone on his new song “Go Bae.”  The pulsing and finger-snapping beat, well-built by OLivR and Loris Geisen, fits snugly to the emerging singer-songwriter’s astonishing voice and his message of experiencing a funny feeling after a love interest seems detached from the relationship.  “Go Bae” is the first

Sinéad Harnett is the latest artist to partner with Apple Music for their Home Session series, dedicated to talents of various genres reimagining their songs as well as beloved covers from their residence. The British singer’s collection of at-home recordings features two songs from her newly released sophomore album Ready Is Always Too Late. She

Never one to be gone too long, Mýa reveals her new alter ego, Mýa Lan$ky, with the release of her new song “Worth It.” “Worth It” once again puts the Grammy winner’s voice against a Lamar “MyGuyMars” Edwards production. She encompasses ancestral elements of hip-hop/soul where she employs a rap-sung cadence, detailing the trials and

Months after releasing their remarkable debut single, Jawan x Tiffany, composed of Jawan Harris and Tiffany Evans, make their return with a new song “To Myself.” Over the rhythmic De’Jour Thomas production, the duo sing about how they want each other all to themselves. Tiffany is initially nervous about the whole meetup, but through the reassurance

On Monday, the Recording Academy announced that it has extended membership invitations to 2,710 music creators and professionals. According to the Academy, the invitations reflect its “commitment to excellence and further growing its robust membership body.” Twenty-three percent of this year’s new member class includes people from the R&B music community, a five percent increase

Time is one thing we never get back. Brent Faiyaz is willing to spend it all with the person he loves on his latest single “Wasting Time” featuring rap heavyweight. “If you’re gonna waste your time / Then waste your time with me / You can have all the space / More than you need

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