R&B/Soul poetic and lyricist Raquel ‘Ra’ Brown is making strides with her debut album, “There’s No Place Like Knowing,” and touring nationwide.
Brown’s upcoming tour dates include
- June 8-City Winery, Philadelphia
- June 16- Centre Stage feature Maimouna Youssef, Atlanta
- July 10- City Winery, Philadelphia
“There’s No Place Like Knowing,” released on April 15, is a soulful look into Brown’s life, lessons, language, and lyrics. The album was written by Brown and co-produced by R&B singer/songwriter Raheem DeVaughn. The album features 10 tracks with one bonus acapella track.
Brown’s project poetically and lyrically addresses some of life’s toughest issues surrounding love, resilience, and self-discovery. The lead single “Birds Are Black,” features 13 of Nazareth and Sunni Patterson and addresses the tragic shooting of a young black boy, whose skin color rendered him almost invisible in the darkness of night.
“Back 2 Back” with Raheem DeVaughn, is a sexy single with DeVaughn singing about what that “mouth can do” and going back to back. Brown comes in with her smooth lyrics and poetry. She responds to DeVaughn, telling him to watch what her lips do.
Although “There’s No Place Like Knowing,” is her debut album, Brown has been featured on songs with Grammy-nominated DeVaughn, as well as NPR’s Tiny Desk, “I AM Woman” with MC Lyte at The Kennedy Center, The Anthem opening for Erykah Badu, and more.
A North Philadephia native, Brown’s connection to the city has shaped her music and storytelling. After her family moved from Philly to Washington D.C. while she was in high school, Brown found solace and inspiration in poetry to express the complexities of her emotions about being forced to leave the only home she knew, which produced her fusion of poetry compounded with R&B melodies.
Listen to “There’s No Place Like Knowing,” here: