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
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
Fresh off the heels of celebrating the fifth anniversary of her debut album For All We Know, Nao has announced a new album, And Then Life Was Beautiful. The follow-up to 2018’s Saturn is out on September 24. Nao’s forthcoming album features contributions from Lucky Daye, Adekunle Gold, Lianne La Havas, and Serpentwithfeet, as well as the recent songs “Messy
Jacquees has teamed up with rapper Future for his latest single “Not Jus Anybody,” which was co-produced by Ayo Slim and ATL Jacob. Over a mellow production that’s laced with trap drums, the self-proclaimed King of R&B lets women know that he’s no regular guy and that being with him is a “chance of a
Vedo is back with a new track titled “Yesterday.” Over an ominous production, he sings about outgrowing his lady love and her antics. He questions what caused the rift in the relationship, and how it has all has affected him. “You’re so stuck on yesterday / Still stuck in your old ways / I’ve changed, I’m not
Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak have unveiled their second new song as Silk Sonic. It’s called “Skate,” and it’s sure to get everyone rollerskating again. On this nostalgic stroll of gliding carefree on any flat surface, the two crooners emulate the essence of vintage soul that only can make us love again. Laced with lots of