R&B

Tinashe has returned to form with her new album, BB/ANG3L, via Ricky Reed’s Nice Life Recording Company. The seven-track album features previously shared tracks “Needs” and “Talk To Me Nice.” The latter song, co-produced by Nosaj Thing and Scoop DeVille, was the first taste of her new era. According to Tinashe, BB/ANG3L represents “exploring both

Phabo has shared a video for “XTC,” a song from his sophomore album, Don’t Get Too Cozy. The music video was co-directed by Matthew Kaplan and Khufu Najee. It features Phabo and his friends vibing out in a warehouse, dressed in white t-shirts and throwing cash in the air. Phabo and his crew are seen

Eric Roberson’s new song “I Apologize” expresses regret for making his partner wait for his love. The guilt-ridden tune was co-produced by Roberson, Jairus Mozee, Brett “B Dubb” Baker and Rodney Jones. On the track, Roberson seamlessly flits between singing and rapping, crafting lyrics about lost time in search of his soulmate. “I apologize /

Sean “Diddy” Combs will be presented with the Global Icon Award at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, celebrating his “unparalleled career and continued influence that has achieved unrivaled global success in music and beyond.” For the past three years, the MTV Video Music Awards has honored a global artist or band for their success,

Jorja Smith has unveiled her latest offering, “Falling or flying,” alongside a music video. On the sultry track, helmed by production duo DAMEDAME*, Smith sings about a risky love affair. “If you want this to be real, then show me you want me / Don’t play it safe with me,” she sings. In the song’s

Victoria Monét’s debut album, Jaguar II, has achieved a top 10 debut on Billboard’s Top R&B Albums chart.  The album opens at No. 6 this week with 15,000 equivalent units sold. Jaguar II not only appears on the Top R&B Albums chart but also on the following charts: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (No. 22); Top Album Sales (No. 53);

Tamar Braxton has announced a 10th anniversary tour in honor of her sophomore album, Love and War.  The Grammy-nominated singer shared the news Wednesday morning on The Quicksilva Show on Baltimore’s 92Q Jams. The tour kicks off Oct. 24 at Irving Plaza in New York, New York. From there, Braxton will play in Atlanta, Georgia; Silver Spring, Maryland;

Vedo’s 2020 single “You Got It” has earned more acclaim from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The track, co-produced by Tariq Beats, Paul Cabbin and Christopher “Deep” Henderson, has been certified 2x multi-platinum by the RIAA with more than two million equivalent units sold. The sentimental tune, which has 337 million streams on

Chlöe appeared solo for her second Tiny Desk concert at NPR headquarters, performing music from her debut album, In Pieces. Wearing a hooded black jacket, Chlöe began her performance with “Surprise,” a song produced by Scott Storch and IllaDaProducer, which was originally intended for In Pieces but was later abandoned. She then went into “Body

Rising R&B singer and songwriter LAYA has returned with her new EP, Bet That, on Warner Records. The seven-track offering includes the previously shared songs “F’d Up” and “Need 2 Know.” Regarding the latter track, LAYA told Rated R&B, “‘Need 2 Know’ was inspired by the all too familiar scenario in which a lover is not being

Vedo is hitting the road again. The singer and songwriter has rolled out dates for his Still Having Mood Swings Tour, which kicks off Oct. 15 at The Rave Bar in Milwaukee. The 19-date trek will include stops in Pittsburgh, Tampa, Memphis and Las Vegas. The tour will conclude Nov. 12 at Bluebird Theater in

Rising R&B singer-songwriter Raiche has returned with her new single “Big Daddy” via GDE/Island Prolific/Atlantic Records. It was co-produced by Cardiak (H.E.R., Jazmine Sullivan) and Wu10 (Anthony Hamilton, Ari Lennox).  On the sultry groove, underscored by warm bass notes, Raiche enumerates the qualities she’s looking for in a future lover. While summer may be drifting

K. Michelle has unveiled the release date and artwork for her final R&B album, I’m the Problem. The album will be released Sept. 22 via MNRK Records. The album cover depicts K. Michelle sitting on a bathroom floor next to a red cup with a blurred-out object that appears to be a light-blue gun. The

Mariah Carey has achieved six new single certifications from RIAA, including two coinciding with the 30th anniversary (Aug. 31) of her third album, Music Box. “Hero,” the album’s second single, has been certified 3x multi-platinum with sales of over three million equivalent units. The signature song spent four weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard

Tinashe has unveiled the tracklist for her upcoming album, BB/ANG3L, due Sept. 8 via Ricky Reed’s Nice Life Recording Company. The album will contain seven tracks, including the singles “Talk To Me Nice” and “Needs.” The former song, released as the lead single, was co-produced by Nosaj Thing and Scoop DeVille, while Royce David and

Rising alt-R&B singer/songwriter Casper Sage has returned with his new EP, Synthesis+.  The project contains six songs, all written by Sage, that are meant to bring light to a dark time. Three tracks were released ahead of Synthesis+: “is this real life?” “FML” and “Flow State.”  “U4EA,” which has hints of Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make

Dante Bowe is living his life unapologetically, even amid what he calls “a transitional season.” The inspirational singer and songwriter made his introduction in 2017 with his debut album, Son of a Father. “I was just a kid at that time — early twenties — discovering myself,” Bowe tells Rated R&B over a Zoom call.

Francis LeBlanc, better known as Fridayy, makes his formal introduction with his self-titled debut album, out now on Lost In Melody/Def Jam Recordings.  The album was preceded by the singles “Don’t Give It Away” with Chris Brown and “When It Comes To You.”  “This album is the story of Fridayy, but it’s also the story

Keke Wyatt is back. The seasoned vocalist has shared “Water Into Wine,” her first offering on Shanachie Entertainment. “Water Into Wine” is a song of patience, narrated by a woman who understands her partner’s imperfections and occasional romantic blunders. Despite this, she is willing to stay committed to the relationship as long as he demonstrates

Chris Brown is heating up the charts with “Summer Too Hot.” His current single debuts at No. 5 on Billboard’s R&B Digital Song Sales chart this week. It’s Brown’s 49th top 10 hit on this list and 78th entry overall.  Elsewhere on Billboard, “Summer Too Hot” opens at No. 93 on the Hot 100, tallying