Search results
- Damien Scott
- Chris Brown, 11:11. Since Chris Brown’s 2005 debut, he’s rocketed to the moon thanks to his dulcet vocals, sticky hooks, and hellacious footwork. With a career marred by controversy, Brown remains a formidable draw in his 18th year in the music industry.
- Khamari, A Brief Nirvana. Sparking one of the most buzziest — and refreshing —moments in 2023 was the release of Khamari’s debut studio album. The 11-track RCA project brims with striking promise, thanks to the multi-instrumentalist-singer’s raw and insightful lyrics, genre-fusing sonics and sinuous tenor.
- Cleo Sol, Gold. The prevalence of “toxic” lyrics has been a major talking point in discussions concerning contemporary R&B. With Gold – the second in a pair of two 2023 LPs from the British soul savant – Cleo Sol makes a concerted effort to infuse her melodies with positive affirmations and unassuming words of wisdom.
- Don Toliver, Love Sick. Toliver’s third studio album, Love Sick, finds the trap&B singer crooning his Styrofoam cup-fueled confessions of being in love while obsessed with riches and illicit substances.
- “Think of Me” - The Shindellas. The Shindellas once declared their brand of music “New American Soul,” a mix of classic R&B elements with a soulful contemporary sound.
- "Ego" - Josh Levi. Unlike other “ego” driven songs, Josh Levi’s first release of 2023 was less toxic, more confident, and arguably, selfless. He flirted with the theme of empowering someone to get what they want and not settle for what they don’t.
- "Jeans" - Jessie Reyez, Miguel. Jessie Reyez and 6LACK can easily be considered musical soulmates, but that pairing got challenged once Reyez released “Jeans” with Miguel.
- “To Summer, From Cole (Audio Hug)” - Summer Walker ft. J. Cole. While the bulk of “To Summer, From Cole” is filled with Cole’s heartfelt lyrics, the track is anchored in Summer Walker’s vulnerable, repetitive lyric “Call me when you need some love.”
- Jalen Ngonda – Come Around and Love Me. In an era where modern soul is venturing into uncharted futuristic territory, singer/songwriter Jalen Ngonda stands out by taking the timeless road of retro Soul.
- Cleo Sol – Gold. Cleo Sol’s musical touch turns everything into pure gold! (pun intended!) In September, the remarkable singer/songwriter gifted us not one, but two albums, with Heaven dropping just two weeks before Gold.
- Kelela – Raven. In 2017, the ethereal songbird Kelela dropped jaws with her mind-blowing album “Take Me Apart.” The magically diverse album was unforgettable then, and has aged like the finest of wines.
- Khamari – A Brief Nirvana. In the dynamic realm of 2023’s introspective R&B, Khamari is a shining star, and his debut album, A Brief Nirvana, is a masterpiece that demands attention.
People also ask
Which R&B artists will blow big in 2023?
Is R&B / soul thriving in 2023?
Who are some contemporary R&B artists?
How has R&B influenced pop music?
- 1920s – 1940s: Jazz and Blues
- 1950s and 60s: The Golden Age of R&B
- 1970s and 80s: Funk, Disco and New Jack Swing
- Mainstream Contemporary R&B, Hip Hop Soul and Neo-Soul
The origins of R&B can be traced back to the Jazz and Blues of the 1920s and 30s. When African American musicians were performing a mixture of Blues, Jazz, and Gospel music in the clubs and juke joints of the South. Singers like Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey, sang about the hardships of life and the struggle for civil rights. Their music was raw, emot...
The contemporary sound of R&B really started to take shape in the 1950s and 60s. Crucially, during this time was the rise of doo-wop, a vocal style that relied heavily on harmonies and falsetto singing. Doo-wop groups like The Drifters and The Platters had a string of hits during this time and helped to popularize the sound of R&B. Soul music also ...
In the 1970s, R&B took a turn towards Funk. Credited as an invention of James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, Funk emphasises rhythm and groove over melody. It’s characterised by heavy bass lines and percussion-led rhythms, rather than melody and chord progression. This combination gives the music a distinctly danceable, infectious feel. Importantly,...
With the popularity of New Jack Swing, came a mainstream sound in 90s R&B that heavily leaned into contemporary Hip Hop production. Dominated by the likes of TLC, then Puff Daddy and his Bad Boy label signees, Faith Evans, 112 and Mary J Blige. The term ‘Hip Hop Soul’ was originally used to describe this sound. In the late 1990s, R&B saw the emerge...
- 'Larger Than Life' - Brent Faiyaz. Brent Faiyaz wears his influences on his sleeve with Larger Than Life. Returning to his playboy roots on his latest project the singer musically takes a victory lap after inking a recent $50 million deal and launching his own creative agency.
- 'Since I Have A Lover' - 6LACK. Five years after his last LP, 6LACK returned inspired with new drama-free music. This time around, he’s inspired by life and his personal growth as a man, father, and lover.
- ‘Obsidian’ – Naomi Sharon. Naomi Sharon’s lovelorn journey molded an unforgettable debut with Obsidian. The first woman signed to Drake’s OVO Sound label encapsulates her progressive R&B roots with house, afrobeats, and ambient acoustics that take listeners on a sonic journey of a heart lost and found again in love.
- 'Come Around And Love Me' - Jalen Ngonda. Chocolate City’s own Jalen Ngonda stood out in 2023 as he delivered one of the year’s most heartful R&B albums in the delightfully charming Come Around And Love Me.
Dec 5, 2023 · Artists new and old within the traditional, contemporary, and alternative R&B genres thrived in 2023 and helped bring the genre to a new level, and now, it’s time to celebrate their work. Here...
The definitive list and playlist of the new R&B artists and singers set to blow big in 2023. FLO, Q, Destin Conrad, Liv.e, Elmiene & more. One of the best bits about a new year is knowing your playlists are going to be overflowing with new talent that’ll capture the moments and memories of the next 12 months.
