R&B

Chris Brown’s hit single “Sensational” featuring Davido and Lojay remains No. 1 for a fifth consecutive week on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart. The DJ Hardwerk-produced track is the second longest-running song atop the airplay chart in 2024. Mary J. Blige’s 2023 single “Still Believe in Love,” featuring Vado, held the top spot for eight

Tyrese’s soulful remake of “Wildflower” has hit a new peak on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart, dated Sept. 21. The song, a tribute to his late mother, Priscilla Murray Gibson, rises from No. 11 to No. 8 in its fourth week. It becomes the singer/actor’s ninth top 10 entry in his 25-year chart history. Tyrese

When Elmiene is in love, it’s not a hassle to show it, as indicated in his new song “Light Work.” Over a bright and airy production helmed by Ozmoses ArKetex, the Oxford, U.K., native sings about the ease of being with someone who is on the same page as him. Specifically, the song captures those

Olivia Longott, mononymously known as Olivia, has returned with her first album in 23 years, You Are.  The seven-song set includes the title track, which is a heartfelt ode to Olivia’s late mother, who passed away in 2018 from Parkinson’s disease. “You are everywhere / Although you’re not here / You are, you are / There’s

Muni Long is all about maintaining her peace above seeking vengeance, even when she feels wronged by others. “I’m going through a lot in my personal life, relationship-wise, [and] career-wise. There are a lot of people that I would be justified in being angry with [in] how they handled me,” Long tells Rated R&B over

Queen Naija is feeling the blues on her new single “Good Girls Finish Last.” Over a production that sounds inspired by Tamia‘s “Officially Missing You,” Naija laments about the bittersweet feeling of leaving a relationship that no longer serves her.  “There’s nothing I could do to save us / And I’m starting to feel like

Jennifer Hudson has signed a new deal with Interscope Records, a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, via JHUD Productions. The EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) winner joins a dynamic roster that includes Ari Lennox, Billie Eilish, Ella Mai, GloRilla, Lady Gaga, Marsha Ambrosius, and more. “It’s official!!! So excited to be joining the @interscope family!

Emerging R&B duo GAWD has released Cathedral City Supreme, a deluxe edition of their 2023 debut EP, via Raedio. The expanded set features six new tracks, including the previously shared “High Class.” “Cathedral City Supreme is our love letter to those navigating the shifting tides of change,” GAWD tells Rated R&B. “It’s a reminder to dance

Usher’s second show of his Past Present Future Tour at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., was full of surprises.  During his two-hour set, the R&B icon showed love to the nation’s capital by inviting a few special guests on stage with him. Fellow R&B crooner and D.C. native Raheem DeVaughn appeared on stage to delight

Genre-bending artist Isaia Huron has released his new EP, I’ll Finish The Lyrics Later, via Slang Music.  The project includes the previously shared “Circle.” Speaking on the song’s creation, he told Rated R&B, “It’s just funny that a song I made three years ago in the baptism room of my dad’s church in Greenville, now having

Robin Thicke has returned with his new single “I Know What to Do.”  On the self-produced, laid-back groove, Thicke confidently assures his lover of immense pleasure in the bedroom.  “Imma stroke it hard like Tiafoe / Imma eat it all like it’s Nobu / Imma have you begging for more, begging for more / Harder

Eric Benét has returned with his new project, Duets, via his label JBR Creative Group. The EP features five duets with women in R&B, including Chanté Moore, Corinne Bailey Rae, LaTocha, Ledisi and Tamar Braxton. Duets opens with “So Distracted” with Moore. The sweet-sounding track is about being so enthralled by a lover that it’s hard to

Chxrry22 doesn’t let a failed relationship get the best of her on her new song, “Poppin Out (Mistakes).” On the fiery track, produced by Believve and DaHeala, Chxrry22 declares: “Cryin’ over n****s ain’t allowed / Being a heart broke b***h is outta style.”  Instead, she keeps her head high and hits the town with some

Maxwell stopped by NPR‘s headquarters in Washington, D.C., to perform for its Tiny Desk Concert series.   The legendary singer performed a delightful 30-minute set of some of his signature songs. Dressed in a sheer white shirt with embroidered star patterns, matching white pants and a gold chain necklace, Maxwell opened with “Sumthin’ Sumthin’” from

Chloe Bailey, also known as Chlöe, has been cast in Goons, a horror film set in New Orleans, Louisiana. Per Deadline, Michael Rainey Jr. of the Power universe will also co-star in the film, directed by Gerard McMurray, who also directed The First Purge. Goons is currently in production under New Fear Unlocked Productions, the recently

Leon Thomas has officially launched a new era of music. The Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and producer has released “Mutt,” the first single from his upcoming second album on EZMNY Records/Motown Records. Produced by D. Phelps and Freaky Rob, “Mutt” finds Thomas ready to take a chance on a new love. He’s aware of how vulnerable

Lucky Daye visited ABC’s GMA (Good Morning America) on Thursday (Aug. 8) to perform music from his third album, Algorithm. Wearing a chocolate-colored leather outfit, the New Orleans native and his band performed two songs: “That’s You” and “HERicane.” At the time of this publication, “That’s You” has had a steady presence on Billboard’s Adult

Kenyon Dixon is back with The R&B You Love: For the ’99 and 2000s, the final installment of his EP series.  The seven-track set includes the previously shared singles “Far Away” and “Still,” plus the RL-assisted “2000s R&B” and “Good Love” from his album, The R&B You Love.  After revisiting ’70s soul with the prior installment, Dixon

Leon Bridges has landed a new certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The Grammy winner’s 2018 single “Bad Bad News” has been certified gold by the RIAA for selling over 500,000 equivalent units.  The swaggering song, produced by Ricky Reed and Nate Mercereau, is the second title from Bridges’ sophomore album, Good

Paramount and MTV announced the nominees for the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, which will be held Sept. 10 at UBS Arena in New York. SZA leads the pack among R&B artists with five nominations, including “Snooze,” which is up for Video of the Year and Best R&B. The hit single, which has surpassed over