R&B

AUGUST 08, the R&B singer-songwriter signed to Jhené Aiko’s Allel Sound and Def Jam Recordings, has died. He was 31.  The Los Angeles native’s cause of death has not been revealed at this time.  Def Jam Recordings provided Rated R&B with the following statement: “The entire Def Jam family mourns the tragic loss of Ray

Ciara’s latest single “How We Roll” featuring Chris Brown moves from No. 4 to No. 1 this week on Billboard’s R&B Digital Song Sales chart.  On the same chart, Ciara’s Lil Baby-assisted “Forever” debuts at No. 10, notching her 10th top 10 hit on this list. Ciara’s top 10 hits on the R&B Digital Sales

R&B newcomer Zae France has released his new EP, Rhythm n Backwoods Szn II, via Compound Entertainment/Def Jam Recordings. It’s the sequel to his 2019 project.  Rhythm n Backwoods Szn II is laced with slow-burning tunes (“Take It All,” “Give It Up“) and midtempo grooves (“What It Do” featuring Fridayy, “Whoa” featuring DaDa) that still have

Global Events Productions has unveiled a new lineup of R&B Music Experience shows for this fall, featuring headliners such as Monica, Tevin Campbell, Tank, Xscape and Tamar Braxton. Taking place over the next four months on weekends, the shows will span nationwide, including Nashville, Tennessee; Birmingham, Alabama; Chicago; Tampa, Florida; Baltimore; and Miami. Other R&B

Emerging singer and songwriter Lendryx has shared his new song “Forces.” It was produced by frequent collaborator Dionso with additional production from OSEI and Jproof (Usher, Ariana Grande, Ty Dolla $ign). “Forces” is a rippling slow jam covering romantic contentment. At times, it feels as though Lendryx revels in swirling around aimlessly in this toxic

Grammy-winning singer SZA makes it clear that she has enough to share in the video for “Snooze,” directed by Bradley J. Calder. From the onset of the video, SZA is shown on bizarre and random dates with famous suitors like Justin Bieber and Woody McClain (Power Book II: Ghost, The Bobby Brown Story). She even

Emerging R&B boy band Pop Money has released their new single “Boys Don’t Cry” via Nick Cannon’s NCredible and Republic Records. Co-produced by Cannon and Koncept, “Boys Don’t Cry” is a downcast ballad about a lost love. “When it’s raining I go / Outside / ‘Cause the rain will hide the tears in my eyes

If anyone knows a thing or two about patience, it’s Victoria Monét. The singer and songwriter just dropped her debut album, JAGUAR II, on RCA Records, after more than a decade of hard work. The 34-year-old cut her teeth in the music industry in 2009 as a member of Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins’ short-lived R&B girl

Legendary producer, songwriter, artist and music executive Jermaine Dupri has unveiled the lineup for his 30th anniversary So So Def Festival. The two-day event is set for Saturday, Oct. 7, and Sunday, Oct. 8, at Central Park in Atlanta, Georgia. TLC, Anthony Hamilton, Jagged Edge and Xscape are among the R&B acts set to hit

Charlotte Day Wilson is back. The emerging singer, songwriter and producer has teamed with Snoh Aalegra for her new single “Forever.”  On the enduringly beautiful track, the two both acknowledge that time cannot keep them and their lovers together if they have grown apart. “Friends say / I’m the girl that’s / All the time in the world wouldn’t be

Vedo emphasizes his choice to love his partner in his new song, “Intentional,” produced by Camper (Usher, Coco Jones). On the tender, bass-heavy track, Vedo says that satisfying his partner’s needs is innate and asks for reciprocity to strengthen their bond. “Everything I do / Comes natural, so girl, you know it’s true / See,

R&B megastar Usher has made a new appearance on Billboard this week with his latest single “Boyfriend.” The track, co-written by Camper and Rico Love, enters at No. 6 on Billboard’s R&B Digital Song Sales chart, led by Lizzo’s “Good As Hell.” It marks his 18th top 10 hit on this chart, which according to

Brent Faiyaz has enlisted Coco Jones for his new single “Moment Of Your Life,” produced by Mannyvelli, Sparkheem and Dpat. Faiyaz opens the sensual track, eyeing his lady from head to toe and admiring her beauty. He wants her permission to get touchy-feely to give her a thrill that lasts. “That shit tastes fresher than

Sean “Diddy” Combs has announced the title and release date for his upcoming album. The Love Album: Off the Grid is set to arrive Sept. 15 on his Love Records label in partnership with Motown Records. Combs shared the news via YouTube, posting a four-minute trailer co-starring The Weeknd, Mary J. Blige, Babyface, Summer Walker,

Dinah Jane is back. The former Fifth Harmony member has released her new single “Ya Ya” via Slash Studios.  Over a tropical production, helmed by Chris “Flict” Aparri, Jane shows off her confident side. She sings about “stacking green” and “smoking loud” while embracing her physique. “Ya Ya / Me cocky like that / Ya

XO Records’ frontwoman Chxrry22 has doubts about an unhinged bug-a-boo on her single “More,” which includes writing and production contributions from DIXSON. On the track, Chxrry22 is irked by an abrasive partner who seems overly annoying since she shared her prized candy with him. He’s reminding her every day about an ex instead of taking

Usher has shared an official video for “Good Good,” his latest single featuring Summer Walker and 21 Savage. The video, directed by Warren Fu, starts with the three acts standing on an abandoned bridge in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. Usher stays behind and showcases slick choreography while Walker and 21 Savage leave the scene. Usher is

Leon Thomas III contemplated whether or not to put “My Will” on his debut album, Electric Dusk, out now on Ty Dolla $ign’s EZMNY Records/Motown Records. The “really deep record,” as Thomas describes to Rated R&B, is a melancholy confessional where he languishes in a state of desolation. He sings about feeling defeated and shares

Robin Thicke will no longer join Ne-Yo on his Champagne and Roses Tour, which kicks off next month. Pleasure P will be stepping in as a special guest.  Thicke announced Tuesday morning (Aug. 22) that he will not be able to appear on the tour due to another scheduling logistics. “Due to scheduling conflicts with

Jessie Reyez is back. The Grammy-nominated singer has enlisted Miguel for her new single “Jeans.” It was produced by Jeff “Gitty” Gitelman and The Monsters & Strangers. Reyez and Miguel paint a vivid bedroom scene on the racy track where their bodies hug tighter than their favorite jeans. In Reyez’s verse, she implies that she