R&B

The Amours, the R&B sister duo consisting of Jakiya and Shaina, have announced dates for their headlining Changes Tour.  The mini tour kicks off March 7 in Dallas. From there, they will perform in U.S. cities, including Atlanta and Washington, D.C., before concluding March 29 in Philadelphia.  Tickets are on sale now at The Amours’

Victoria Monét will be receiving her much-deserved flowers at the 2024 Billboard Women in Music Awards. Hosted by Tracee Ellis Ross, the ceremony will return March 6 at YouTube Theater in Los Angeles, California.  Monét will receive the Rising Star Award. Other honorees include singer Tems (Breakthrough Award), rap artist Ice Spice (Hitmaker Award), pop

Jon B. has released a video for his new single “Waiting On You” featuring Tank.  Directed by Tragic Vision, the video captures the time before Jon B. and a future lover make a connection.  “‘Waiting on You’ describes the feeling of anticipating love in your life, the seasons of waiting,” Jon B. explained. He added,

Muni Long is eyeing her next hit. Her latest single, “Made For Me,” debuts on the Billboard Hot 100 chart this week at No. 93. It’s Long’s third entry on the popular singles chart. Here’s a quick breakdown of Long’s Hot 100 entries: “Hrs & Hrs,” No. 16 peak (2022) “Angel,” Pt. 1, Kodak Black,

The 2024 Lovers & Friends festival lineup has been announced. The festival returns Saturday, May 4, at Las Vegas Fairgrounds in Las Vegas, Nevada.  R&B king Usher will perform his groundbreaking album Confessions in honor of its 20th anniversary. The star-studded R&B lineup also includes Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, TLC, Brandy, Monica, Ciara,

Lucky Daye has achieved his sixth entry on the Billboard Adult R&B Airplay chart (dated Jan. 27).  His D’Mile and Bruno Mars-produced single “That’s You” has debuted at No. 26 on the chart, currently led by Mary J. Blige’s “Still Believe in Love.”  Daye’s previous entries include a No. 1 hit and three top 10s.

Mary J. Blige’s optimistic single “Still Believe in Love,” featuring Vado, logs its fifth consecutive week at No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart.  It’s Blige’s longest-running No. 1 since 2016’s “Thick of It,” which dominated the chart for 16 weeks. The Jazmine Sullivan-penned hit appeared on Blige’s defiant album, Strength of a Woman. 

Rising singer-songwriter UMI has independently released her new EP, talking to the wind.  The breezy, four-track project, written entirely by UMI and produced by V-Ron, includes the previously shared “why dont we go” and “happy im.” Interestingly, talking to the wind doesn’t include “wherever u r” featuring V of BTS, which she dropped in late

It’s official: Mary J. Blige has a new project in the works.  Blige confirmed the news in an interview with Big Tigger of Atlanta’s V-103. During their 20-minute conversation, Big Tigger asked Blige about her plans to release new music.  “I’m working on a project,” Blige disclosed. “Something nice for my fans.”  Blige didn’t divulge

Gnarls Barkley, the genre-bending duo consisting of vocalist CeeLo Green and producer Danger Mouse, has reached a new milestone on Spotify.  Their 2006 hit single “Crazy” has surpassed one billion streams on the platform. It’s the duo’s first song to achieve this feat.  “Crazy” was the lead single from Gnarls Barkley’s debut album, St. Elsewhere. Before

“This is definitely a new age for me,” Omarion tells Rated R&B over a phone conversation. It’s a December afternoon, and the R&B veteran is reflecting on the last few years of his music career. He likens his 2020 project, The Kinection, to the launch of a new musical era. It was the first album

BJ The Chicago Kid is still on the promo trail for his latest album, Gravy.  The soul singer visited The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Thursday night (Jan. 18) to perform his groovy track “Honey” with Chlöe. Backed by a three-piece band, BJ and Chlöe, both clad in shimmering brown outfits, delivered a satisfying performance for

R&B newcomer Chikoruss has signed a deal with 300 Entertainment. The Montreal native joins a roster that includes Mary J. Blige, WanMor, Phony Ppl, Kenya Vaun and more. Chikoruss celebrates his signing by releasing his new single, “In 2 Deep.” It’s the follow-up to his 2023 track, “Body Language,” which he independently released in May. 

Elle Varner is heading back on the road this spring. The Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter has announced dates for Elle Varner: Unplugged.  The mini tour kicks off April 7 at City Winery in Chicago. Varner will make additional stops at City Winery locations in the U.S., including St. Louis, Atlanta and Philadelphia. The tour concludes April

Music icon Charlie Wilson will be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The ceremony will occur on Wilson’s 71st birthday (Monday, Jan. 29) at 11 a.m. PT on Hollywood Boulevard.  A few legendary music acts will join The Gap Band’s founding member and lead singer. Producer Jimmy Jam is set to

Three months after releasing her debut album, Naomi Sharon is back with a new single, “Nothing Sweeter.”  Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the acoustic ballad beautifully illustrates the early moments of a romantic connection. Sharon sings in the chorus: “Nothing hits like the first kiss / The way you make me wait / Anticipate

Andra Day is back. The Grammy-winning singer and Oscar-nominated actress has released her new song, “Where Do We Go.”  The soul-stirring ballad finds Day yearning to reconnect with a former love. As much as she wants to give into temptation, she reminds herself that “we closed that door.”  “Just passing through your neighborhood / From

PJ Morton has joined fellow musician and longtime collaborator Keyon Harrold on a bright new track titled “Beautiful Day.” The jazzy tune appears on Harrold’s third album, Foreverland, out now on Concord Jazz.  On “Beautiful Day,” Morton optimistically sings about embracing what life has to offer. We can choose peace even in tumultuous moments, as

Rising singer Kyle Dion has unleashed his new project, If My Jeans Could Talk.  The eight-song EP includes the previously shared tracks “Boyfriend Jeans,” “Let’s Get It On” and “Hang Me Out to Dry.”  If My Jeans Could Talk takes listeners on a journey with relatable themes of love, joy, sexuality and heartbreak.  “During the making of

The Tycoon Music Festival 2024 lineup has been announced. The fifth annual event takes place Feb. 13 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. R&B heavyweight Chris Brown is set to headline the festival, along with other R&B all-stars Monica, Ginuwine and Mario.  Additional performers include 112, Ashanti, Bryson Tiller, DJ Mannie Fresh, Fridayy and