R&B

India Shawn may be wrapped in your charm, but she advises you to tread lightly in her new song, “Don’t Play With My Heart.” Produced by D’Mile (H.E.R., Victoria Monét), the glimmering track is dipped in equal amounts of funk and soul, giving a slight nod to the disco era. In the first verse, she sings, “You’ve been

We’re getting into our Soulful Sunday vibe with the inspirational Grammy Award winner, NAACP Image Award Winning Actress, gospel singer/ songwriter, producer, businesswomen and vocal powerhouse, Tamela Mann. The multi-talented super artist is known for her work on the meg-hit and highly successful Tyler Perry’s “Madea” plays, films, and television show “Meet The Browns” and

In 1996, Usher appeared on the soundtrack of Kazaam, the magical feature film starring NBA player Shaquille O’Neal. He performed the track “I Swear I’m In Love.” It was his first time working with the dynamic production duo Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. Jam recalls his initial time collaborating with the then-budding artist being “real

R&B legend Monica is recording a country album, according to a recent interview with Billboard. Currently working in the studio with Brandi Carlile, Monica shared that the album, rooted in a genre she’s had close to her heart for many years, could arrive before the end of 2021.  “I felt like this was a great time for me to

It’s easy to hear why Yola got a recording contract. Her bewitching voice bonded with excellent songwriting skills instantly spring up the ears of existing and new audiences, giving you reasons to explore her discography for hours.  Stand For Myself, the genre-fluid chanteuse’s latest album, is no different and expected to swarm her in a maelstrom

Tamela Mann has the warmth and sweetness of a golden-crusted apple pie and a decorated career worth crowning her a living gospel legend. “I’m going to try and live up to every bit of it,” says a humble and appreciative Mann at the close of a phone conversation with Rated R&B. She is most deserving

Lonr. and Amber Mark duet on a new song titled “Save My Love.” It’s lifted from the upcoming Reminiscence soundtrack, which arrives on August 20, the same release date as the Lisa Joy-directed film that stars Hugh Jackman and Rebecca Ferguson.  The soul-baring tune was produced by Jeff “Gitty” Gitelman (H.E.R., John Legend), and hears Lonr. and

Jorja Smith is broadening her sonic horizons with her new Guilty Beatz-produced song, “All of This.” Here, the African producer/DJ introduces Smith to a fresh audience through the Amapiano-inspired number. Smith solemnly recounts how much she had given herself to an undeserving love in a sea of weeping synths and bolting percussion. She sings on the

Justice will finally be served to Toni Braxton’s sixth studio album, Libra. Barry Hankerson’s Blackground Records 2.0 will reissue the album on October 1, in partnership with EMPIRE. In addition to hitting streaming services, it will be re-released with a vinyl and CD format. Libra originally released on September 27, 2005, and debuted at No. 4 on

“It gets no funkier than Rick James,” said rap pioneer Roxanne Shanté in a new trailer for a Showtime documentary dedicated to the life and career of the randy punk-funk legend.  Directed by Emmy-nominated Sacha Jenkins, Bitchin’: The Sound and Fury of Rick James is described in an official statement as a film that “presents a full

Stokley is back with a new song called “Woman” from his upcoming album, Sankofa. The KiDi-assisted tune arrives with an melanin-packed video, directed by REX.  The Afrobeat-flavored track finds both stars bowing to their designed helpmate, proclaiming they are nothing without them.  “I’m a king, but I still need my rib / Need a queen that can

[embedded content] Mike Lavi is a 23-year-old singer out of Cincinnati, Ohio. His newest release, “Let You Go” is a fantastic blend of the old and the new with his Rap sounds laid over a background harmony of bee-bopping and doo-woping making the sound extremely new and unique. The thing you notice right off the

Phony Ppl is hitting the road ahead of their forthcoming album. The Nowhere But Up Tour itinerary takes the five-man collective across North America this fall, kicking off in Boston on October 20 at the Brighton Music Hall.  Along the road, the hipsters will play shows in Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, and Toronto, before ending things

Link to the album (downloadable/streaming no login required) with lyrics. https://s.disco.ac/jqltfbtgqxjp In a time in the world where we have all been more closed in than we are used to… having something to help take you away for a while has been almost invaluable. When it comes to escaping, nothing has been quite as powerful

Before Uforo “Bongo ByTheWay” Ebong became a platinum-selling producer, he was a pre-teen with a natural knack for music. Around age eight, he started rapping. He soon realized that he needed beats to rap over. By age 11, he began experimenting with making beats. “I realized you can’t use other people’s beats, which was a

[embedded content] Chantel Nicole is a singer who can move. She’s a double threat with great control over her dance moves and “Here I Am” is a dance tune. If you’re not moving when that song is playing, you are unable to hear. It’s got all the ingredients of a Chantel began her career as

Jake&Papa is the zone with new music. The duo has unleashed a new song called “Run&Gun,” and it’s produced by Cookup Kwame.  The boisterous track finds the brother pair singing about coming from nothing and promising more wins ahead. In the process, they chin-check their haters, letting them know it’s going to take more than

From San Antonio, Texas, the artistic duo has been performing alternative Hip Hop music since 2010. There new release, “Spacecowboy” is a prime example of how they like to tease and cajole with their lyrics and hip-hop sound. The two artists Scott Campbell, also known as DaddyDvil and Beseja Moses, also referred to as CaddyMack

Vedo is back with a new track titled “Yesterday.”  Over an ominous production, he sings about outgrowing his lady love and her antics. He questions what caused the rift in the relationship, and how it has all has affected him.  “You’re so stuck on yesterday / Still stuck in your old ways / I’ve changed, I’m not

Viva Las Vegas it is! The inaugural “Lovers and Friends festival” will finally make its live entertainment debut May 14 2022 at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds. Originally sidelined in 2020 due to the still active pandemic, the festival is set to include a 52-act line-up filled with early 2000s greatness. Headlined by Lauryn Hill, Usher