R&B

Mariah Carey is set to perform at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards, Sunday, Nov. 19, at 8 p.m. ET via the official award show website and across all Billboard social media channels. The Queen of Christmas will perform “All I Want For Christmas” for the first time at an awards ceremony. The holiday staple, which

Award-winning singer, songwriter and producer H.E.R. has recorded a cover of “The Glass,” written and initially performed this year by Foo Fighters. She initially performed the song with the rock band on Saturday Night Live on Oct. 28. “THIS SONG MOVES ME. THANK YOU SO MUCH @foofighters,” wrote H.E.R. in an Instagram caption for a

Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and producer Lalah Hathaway has signed with SoNo Recording Group (SRG/ILS), in conjunction with Virgin Music. She joins a roster that includes Chaka Khan, Ruben Studdard, Angie Stone, Kenny Lattimore, Jeff Bradshaw, J. Brown and more. Claude Villani, founder and CEO of SRG/ILS Group, stated, “Lalah Hathaway is perhaps the finest vocalist

Rising soul singer October London is spreading joy this holiday season with his new album, The Greatest Gift, out now on Death Row Records/gamma. The 10-track set, written and produced by London, is a sweet collection of cozy tunes that explore the romantic side of the holidays. Sultry songs like “Naughty & Nice” and “Under

Tamar Braxton has returned to make the season bright with “You Bring The Love,” a new holiday song produced by musical duo, Louis York, composed of Claude Kelly and Chucky Harmony. Braxton co-wrote the track, presented by We Sound Crazy Podcast, with Louis York. The podcast features co-hosts Kelly and Harmony alongside Phil Thornton and

As teased, Ari Lennox has released her new single “Get Close,” co-produced by Wu10 and DZL. It marks her first offering of solo music this year. Lennox desires closer proximity to her irresistible suitor on the sultry track, despite their differences. “You like Tupac, I like Janet / So damn stubborn, I won’t have it /

Emmy-winning music director and multi-instrumentalist Adam Blackstone has announced that he will release a new album just in time for the holiday season. A Legacy Christmas, Blackstone’s first holiday and second studio album, will be released Nov. 24. The album will include guest appearances from Boyz II Men, Andra Day, BJ The Chicago Kid, Keke

GoGo Morrow has enlisted melodic rapper Yung Bleu for a remix of her bedroom jam “Don’t Stop.”  He appears in the second verse, where he narrates an intimate session with his partner. “I just hit your spot / I can see it in your eyes / I’m collecting all your data / Puttin’ it on

Omarion has announced his new album Full Circle: Sonic Book Two, the sequel to his project released in May.  Due Dec. 15, Sonic Book Two will contain 15 tracks, including the lead single, “Taking Off,” featuring rising R&B act BJRNCK. The sensual tune, produced by Greg Curtis, depicts the reunion of two lovers after a

First-time Grammy nominees SiR and Alex Isley made their late-night television debuts Tuesday (Nov. 14). They performed “Back To Love” with Robert Glasper on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Glasper played the piano on stage while two passionate singers poured their hearts into the ballad’s emotional on-stage debut. “Back To Love” arrived on July

Grammy-winning musician Robert Glasper has recently announced that he will embark on a mini-tour to conclude the year. The tour starts Dec. 4 with two nights at The North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, Illinois. Glasper has a series of sold-out shows lined up in Oakland, California, from Dec. 7 to Dec.

Keke Palmer will host the 2023 Soul Train Awards, which airs Sunday, Nov. 26, at 8 p.m. ET on BET and BET Her. BET Networks confirmed the announcement on Wednesday (Nov. 15) afternoon. “Keke Palmer is a globally recognized multihyphenate talent who embodies confidence and positivity and is one of the most engaging and lovable

R&B mainstay Babyface began the year nominated for Best Traditional R&B Performance at the 65th Grammy Awards for “Keeps On Fallin’,” a chart-topping collaboration with Ella Mai. The single was the lead single from Girls Night Out, an album released on Capitol Records that featured collaborations with women in R&B and hip-hop. Girls Night Out

R&B newcomer Rhyan Douglas has released his debut single, “Last Page.” It was produced by WahWah James (Kali Uchis, TOBi), and Tarron Crayton (Jazmine Sullivan, Summer Walker). “Last Page” is an emotionally raw ballad in which Douglas processes heartache over a gentle acoustic guitar backdrop. Throughout the three-minute track, the 19-year-old showcases his vocal range

Before the year closes out, Marsha Ambrosius will hit the road for a mini tour later this fall. The Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter has announced the dates for her upcoming shows at City Winery locations across the U.S. Ambrosius will launch her tour in Chicago, Illinois, where she will play a total of four shows

Kenyon Dixon was surprised when the nominations for the 66th Grammy Awards were announced last week. His 2023 song “Lucky” received his second career nomination, and first as a solo artist, for Best Traditional R&B Performance. “This one feels different,” Dixon exclusively tells Rated R&B days after he was nominated. Being included in the same

Maeta’s current single, “Through The Night,” has propelled her promising career to new heights. The Free Nationals-assisted track climbs from No. 12 to No. 8 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart, marking Maeta’s first top 10 hit on the chart. Maeta nearly achieved her first top 10 hit on the chart with her seductive track

Usher’s single “Good Good” featuring Summer Walker and 21 Savage slides to No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart for the week dated Nov. 18. The R&B superstar now has eight No. 1s on the Adult R&B chart, tying with Bruno Mars, Tank, Maxwell, and Kem for the second-most among male artists. Charlie Wilson

Legendary group Earth, Wind & Fire, and renowned rock band Chicago have announced their co-headlining Heart & Soul 2024 Tour. The 30-city run kicks off July 10, 2024, in St. Louis, Missouri. They will stop in Cincinnati, Toronto, Houston, Phoenix and Los Angeles. The Live Nation-powered tour concludes Sept. 10, 2024, in Palm Desert, California.

While not exactly new to the R&B pool of nominations at the Grammys, Sean “Diddy” Combs has received his first nomination as a lead artist in one of the two R&B album categories. The Love Album: Off The Grid, released independently on the mogul’s Love Records, is up for Best Progressive R&B Album nomination at