Experimental R&B singer FKA Twigs is back with another taste of her anticipated new album LP1.
Following the shockingly good “Two Weeks,” the British native delivers a falsetto driven display of vocal emotion with “Pendulum.”
Over a rattling drum and synth production, Twigs lets the track ride as she softly and sparingly layers her voice across the soundscape.
Her debut full length album LP1 is due out August 12 via Young Turks.
R&B Diva Syleena Johnson is ready for her solo comeback. Following her collaborative project with Musiq Soulchild, the songstress has released the new single “My Love,” off her anticipated album Chapter 6 – Couples Therapy.
The smooth and classic R&B tune was written and produced by Pierre “The Maven” Medor, and finds Syleena addressing issues she has with her lover, but knows love takes work.
“Just know my love, it won’t quit when the road get tough / Not giving up, it’s clear to see we’re meant to be, thank god that we not afraid of love,” she sings on the hook.
Syleena’s upcoming album is the first release from her new partnership with Blakbyrd Entertainment. The album is said to chronicle the journey of the ins and outs of a relationship and everything in between. The album, which is due out October 14, features production by Kris “Kajun” Johnson, Pierre Medor, Ms. Johnson herself and also R.Kelly and DJ Wayne Williams.
Take a listen to the first official single below, and you can pick it up on iTunes now.
Jagged Edge surprised fans everywhere when they announced their upcoming album J.E. Heartbreak Too, which would see the quartet reuniting with Jermaine Dupri and his So So Def label.
Since the R&B veterans have been on a mission to spread “Hope” with the LP’s lead single. Now, the J.E. boys have premiered the official music video, which plays out like a short film.
Opening in a bar scene, the fellas talk about their plans for making a classic album with writer/producer Bryan Michael Cox, but things quickly get out of hand when a drink gets spilled and words are exchanged with another group of patrons. Using the occurrence as an example of how things need to change, and why they’re looking to mature past their thuggish ways and settle down, the quartet then deliver the heartfelt ballad on the roof of a skyscraper.
Jagged Edge’s eighth studio album J.E. Heartbreak Too is a sequel to their multi-platinum 2000 album J.E. Heartbreak, it is due out later this year. Check out the new video below:
Bando Jonez heated up the charts earlier this year with his steamy debut single “Sex You.”
Now, the Atlanta native returns with the official follow-up, “There She Go” featuring Jeezy.
Over a subtle, filtered down track, which features a sample of Uncle Luke’s “I Wanna Rock,” the singer/songwriter becomes mesmerized by a curvaceous dancer who caught his eye and has him thinkin that he fell in love with a stripper. Jeezy drops two verses about how he plans to put it down in the bedroom.
Bando is currently working on his debut album due out on Zone 4/Epic Records. Take a listen to his new single below:
Tank is in a strong and confident place with his upcoming album Stronger, due August 12.
But, the R&B singer/songwriter is having a moment of insecurity on the brand new ballad “Hope This Makes You Love Me.”
“Look at me I’m such a mess / And I normally would keep this all to myself / All my heart is filled with pain / And I normally wouldn’t cry, but I’m gon let it rain,” he softly sings over the sparse production.
Tank has already released 3 songs off the new album, the celebratory lead single “You’re My Star,” the introspective ballad “Stronger,” and the dance-floor ready “Dance With Me.”
Take a listen to the brand new song below, and if you pre-order the album on iTunes now you will get all 4 songs immediately.
Legendary artist, songwriter, producer Smokey Robinson is bringing something special to new and old fans this summer with the upcoming release of his new duets album Smokey & Friends, due out August 19 via Verve Records.
The LP includes a roster of contemporary and classic artists who revisit the best loved songs from Robinson’s unmatched catalog of hits, including those he has written for his solo career, his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group, The Miracles, as well as hits he wrote for others, including Marvin Gaye and The Temptations.
On the Randy Jackson-produced set, Robinson is joined by old friends like James Taylor, Sir Elton John, Steven Tyler, Sheryl Crow, and Mary J. Blige, as well as with some of today’s hottest artists including John Legend, John Mayer, Miguel, Aloe Blacc, CeeLo, Ledisi and Jessie J.
Mary J. Blige has joined Smokey for a duet of his mega hit single “Being With You,” from his 1981 album of the same name.
Mary and Smokey’s vocals compliment one another perfectly on the contemporized version, which feels like a new classic. Take a listen below!
Earlier this month, The Recording Academy held “A Grammy Conversation” on the current state of R&B music at the West Hollywood Soho House.
The evening was hosted by Quddus and included five panelists: Music Journalist Gail Mitchell, singer-songwriter/producer Liv Warfield, Grammy-winning producer LaShawn Daniels, eight-time Grammy nominee Ledisi and four-time Grammy nominee Tyrese Gibson. According to HitsDailyDouble they each attributed their inspiration to classic R&B and soul artists, including James Brown, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Etta James, Donny Hathaway, Tina Turner, Sam Cooke, Jodeci and Earth Wind & Fire.
Many issues and topics were brought up for discussion including: Will new R&B artists be heard? Will people take a chance on them? Will urban alternative artists find a way to bridge the gap between what was and what is? Is the playing field uneven between black and white artists? Is there a place for R&B in a singles-driven music industry and a society that has been hypnotized by EDM music?
We are proud to premiere the first video clip from the intimate conversation, which finds Gail Mitchell addressing the return of black artists to the top of the Billboard charts this year, Tyrese explaining why he thinks the industry is too caught up with who produced a song or who is featured on a song, while Ledisi explained her desire for today’s R&B to be more balanced between the origins and today’s new styles.
Check out the video below, and stay tuned for part 2!
Controversial singer and reality star Ray J is back with a brand new mixtape Ray J: Unkut 2, presented by Young California.
The 17-track project boasts new original songs and guest interludes from Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, Nas and more. Ray has also released a music video for one of the new tracks “Never Shoulda Have Did That.” Similar to his previous hits “One Wish” and “Sexy Can I,” the song is autobiographical and chronicles some of Ray’s past experiences.
“For me the song is about recognizing where I am in my life now and thinking about some of the things I’ve done that I have come to regret,” said the star. He continued, “This song is my way
of moving forward.”
Additionally, Ray J is working on a brand new album, and has a new TV partnership on the way.
Follow the jump to stream the new mixtape and watch the video for “Never Shoulda Have Did That.”
