Music lovers were disappointed when Drake failed to deliver For All The Dogs to us at midnight on Friday (August 25). Even with that letdown, the industry still turned out plenty of exciting new releases, including a debut LP from rising R&B sensation Fridayy. The singer shared 14 songs with us on his self-titled effort, including the previously released “Don’t Give It Away” with Chris Brown and “When It Comes To You.”
Besides the Breezy collaboration, Fridayy also linked up with a selection of other artists throughout his tracklist. He opens with “Came Too Far” featuring Maverick City Music and My Mom. That joint effort is immediately followed by Adekunle Gold’s appearance on “Done For Me.” The Philadelphia-born creative held his own on several other titles before teaming up with Fireboy DML on “You,” and Byron Messia on “Mercy.”
Fridayy’s Debut Album Accompanied By “Stand By Me” Visual
Along with the album’s arrival on DSPs, the “GOD DID” collaborator also shared a new visual for “Stand By Me,” the project’s third song. It finds him singing alongside striking employees and perfectly captures the energy fluctuating around the entertainment industry at this time. “If I say I’m standing for you / You know that I’m ‘a standing ten toes,” the 26-year-old sings of his own loyalty.
Check out Fridayy’s latest visual for “When It Comes To You” from his self-titled project above. If you’re a fan of R&B, check out the singer’s full debut LP on Spotify/Apple Music. For more HNHH release recommendations, click the link below to hear the latest from Victoria Monet on her JAGUAR II project.
The Virgo star sign is allocated to those born between August 23 and September 22. Virgos have gained a reputation for their ability to remain grounded and humble. Even though they are widely recognized as perfectionists, their human touch is evident. Many popular singers today are Virgos, and perfectionism is noted in their work. They are very successful, an attribute resulting from their incredible hard work and dedication.
Notable Virgo singers are also known for their ability to keep their private lives separate from their public personas. This also grants them an allure that keeps them on fans’ lips. Sharp, witty, and kind, here are some amazing Virgo R&B singers deserving of their success.
Justine Skye (August 24)
Justine Skye made a successful leap from Tumblr to the music industry. The popular singer has made a name for herself with her sultry R&B and dance songs. She has released two albums till date, and two compilation albums. In addition to this, she has four EPs so far. Besides her work as a lead singer, Justine Skye has been featured on tracks by TheGoodPerry, Schoolboy Q, and Far East Movement. She has also gained a lot of fame and followers on social media, particularly Instagram. Skye is a rising talent, and joins other notable Virgo singers.
Keke Palmer (August 26)
Keke “Keep a Bag” Palmer is mostly known as one of the strongest actors of her generation. However, she also joins the list of talented Virgo singers. Palmer has been active in the music industry since her early days as a child star. These days, she’s risen to become a bonafide musician in her own right. Focusing solely on R&B, she’s shared two albums so far. Her debut solo album, So Uncool, arrived in 2007. Her second album, Big Boss, was released in 2023.
Michael Jackson (August 29)
The King of Pop also is one of the most popular singers with the Virgo star sign. Even though he passed away in 2009, he remains a cultural force several years later. Michael Jackson’s legendary discography has served to shape modern music. Additionally, he has become a benchmark for many other singers, Virgo or not, to aspire to. Michael Jackson remains one of one with his many timeless hits and iconic dance moves. Each year, fans continue to shower praises on the late-great star.
Zendaya (September 1)
While she’s found a much more comfortable life with her acting, Zendaya remains a multi-talented threat. In her early days on Disney Channel, she released her own music. Her R&B single, “Replay,” has remained on several playlists over the years. Further, Zendaya’s catalog is also stacked with numerous accolades. Regardless of her Emmy wins and profound acting chops, she’s still known to many as a singer. Due to this, she comfortably earns her spot as one of the most famous Virgo singers. Like many others in her Sun Sign, she is incredibly hard-working, maintaining her integrity and humility despite her overwhelming success.
Beyoncé (September 4)
The Queen Bey has never been shy about her Virgo aura. With her most recent album, Renaissance, she reiterated her love for her star sign. The song “Virgo’s Groove” has become an unofficial anthem for Virgos everywhere. Beyoncé was born on September 4 and embodies many qualities of a Virgo. She is very hard-working and remains humble above all. As her Renaissance World Tour comes to a close, Beyoncé has instructed her fans to don silver ensembles in the wake of Virgo season. This further shows how much she takes the sign seriously. It’s no surprise she’s one of the singers most attributed to Virgo season.
Jennifer Hudson (September 12)
Jennifer Hudson is one of the most awarded Virgo singers of all time. She is also one of very few talents to snag the coveted EGOT in a short amount of time. Hudson famously earned an Oscar for her chilling, fantastic role as Effie in Dreamgirls. Since then, she’s become one of the most notable Virgos around. Additionally, Hudson has ventured into numerous entertainment endeavors, succeeding in whatever she’s taken on. Her star has been shining since she debuted on American Idol, quickly stealing the public’s affection. Although she didn’t win, she carved out a career worth the envy of many others who have participated in the competition.
Jason Derulo’s musical career is always worth celebrating. Bursting onto the scene in 2009, he was already a bonafide hitmaker long before. Derulo began as a songwriter for other artists. Eventually, he chased down a solo career and achieved success with his debut single, “Whatcha Say.” Since then, he’s garnered over 250 million single sales and a strong fan base. Derulo has collaborated with artists from all over the world, making him one of the most successful Virgo singers around. He has also ventured into social media, becoming one of the most followed TikTok stars in the world. With numerous hits under his belt, there’s no denying Jason Derulo’s incredible star power.
Erykah Badu’s influence on modern music and culture is very evident in the current landscape of R&B music. A pioneer of the neo-soul movement, she is known for her distinct singing voice and eccentric style. Badu’s contributions to music in the late 1990s and 2000s have cemented her legacy as one of the most distinguished R&B singers. Her catalog of music is almost flawless, which HotNewHipHop recently highlighted in a ranking of her five studio albums. Badu has plenty of hits in her consistent discography, which fans celebrated as they flocked to attend her recent arena tour of North America. Below, we’ve ranked Erykah Badu’s 7 biggest hit songs. Take a look at the list below.
7. “Didn’t Cha Know?” (2000)
“Didn’t Cha Know?” is one of the most celebrated tracks in Erykah Badu’s catalog. The J Dilla-produced instrumental compliments her calming voice with its soothing sample of Tarika Blue’s “Dreamflower.” “Didn’t Cha Know?” is arguably one of the best songs in 2000’s Mama’s Gun, embodying the artistic chemistry between Badu and Dilla before his passing in 2006. The song peaked at No. 6 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Songs chart and has been sampled and referenced by hip-hop artists like J. Cole, Logic, and Smoke DZA. “Didn’t Cha Know?” was also nominated for Best R&B Song at the 2002 Grammy Awards.
This cut from Erykah Badu’s 1997 debut album Baduizm is a slow and soulful ballad that incorporates elements of jazz. Produced by The Roots and Richard Nichols, “Otherside Of The Game” sees Badu playing the role of a woman expecting a baby with a man engaged in illegal activities. She explores her moral conflicts, thinking about her child’s future and the possible outcomes of her lifestyle. The six-minute long track peaked at No. 2 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Songs chart while placing at No. 14 on their R&B/Hip Hop Airplay chart.
5. “Next Lifetime” (1997)
Much like “Otherside Of The Game,” “Next Lifetime” is a 6-minute ballad from Baduizm. The song sees Erykah Badu in a relationship while she expresses feelings for another man, torn between two love interests. She makes her decision, telling the other man that she will see him in the next lifetime. The song reached No. 1 positions on both Billboard’s Adult R&B chart and their R&B/Hip Hop Airplay chart. It also charted in the UK, New Zealand, and The Netherlands.
The lead single from Mama’s Gun, “Bag Lady” puts Erykah Badu’s songwriting skills on full display. She sings about the emotional baggage that one carries with them in a relationship. Badu croons about dragging bags around in a literal sense while referring to the baggage that weighs one down. She encourages the bag lady to “pack light” and to let go of her worries and emotional traumas.
The single secured a No. 1 spot atop the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop chart while peaking at No. 2 on the Airplay and Adult R&B charts. “Bag Lady” also peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. The “Cheeba Sac Radio Edit” of the song reworked Badu’s vocals over Dr. Dre’s “Xxplosive,” giving the song a hip-hop edge. In 2001, “Bag Lady” received two Grammy nominations for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song.
3. “Tyrone” (1997)
While the majority of Erykah Badu’s biggest hit songs come from her first two critically acclaimed albums, one of her biggest hits is from a live recording. Erykah Badu completely improvised “Tyrone” during a performance in 1997, but now, people regard it as one of her most iconic songs. It is both quirky and soulful as she playfully sings with the help of her band and background singers. It may be a live performance, but “Tyrone” performed well on the charts, achieving No. 1 status on the Airplay and Adult R&B charts.
2. “Love Of My Life (An Ode To Hip Hop)” Ft. Common (2002)
One of Erykah Badu’s biggest hits comes from her third album, 2003’s Worldwide Underground. “Love of My Life (An Ode To Hip Hop)” was the second collaboration between Badu and Common and continues the theme of referring to hip hop as a love interest, which the latter had done on previous occasions. Common first likened his love for hip hop to that of a woman on his song “I Used To Love H.E.R.” and his verse on The Roots’ “Act Too (Love of My Life).” Produced by Raphael Saadiq, “Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip Hop)” was quite successful, landing the No. 1 spot on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, #4 on Adult R&B Songs chart, as well as No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song and the Soul Train Lady Of Soul Award.
1. “On & On” (1996)
Erykah Badu’s debut single remains her biggest hit to date and her only song to ever receive a gold certification, as well as a silver plaque in the UK. “On & On” showcases Erykah Badu’s unique artistry with the way she floats over the instrumental’s calming groove. A seminal song for the neo-soul movement of the 1990s, “On & On” saw a great amount of commercial success upon its release. The song peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as securing No. 1 spots on the R&B charts. It also performed well in international markets. Erykah Badu won her first Grammy Award for “On & On” in the Best Female R&B Vocal Performance category. It is also one of her most influential songs as it has been sampled numerous times by artists like Mac Miller, The Game, and Mos Def.
Our R&B Season playlist highlights no shortage of male vocalists who are known specifically for making the ladies swoon. Since he began his Las Vegas Residency, however, Usher is notably among the best at taking on his role as a heartthrob. Over the past few months, we’ve seen him serenading the likes of Kim Kardashian, Kimora Lee Simmons, Saweetie, and Keke Palmer. It was the latter’s trip to Sin City that finally landed the Southern singer the label of “domestic terrorist” as his flirtatious antics caused a rift between the True Jackson VP actress and her baby daddy, Darius Jackson. At this time, the status of Palmer’s relationship remains unknown. However, she did team up with Usher earlier this week for his “Boyfriend” music video, causing many to speculate that she’s single again.
Elsewhere on today’s update comes a collab from Ciara’s CiCi EP – “Forever” with Lil Baby. The short and sweet project came along with big news from the Atlanta-based entertainer – she and Russell Wilson are expecting their third child together. Snoh Aalegra continued her hot streak of singles with “Wait A Little Longer,” and 333 hitmaker Tinashe continues to impress us with her work as well. The latter shared “Needs,” following last month’s “Talk To Me Nice.”
Lil Wayne doesn’t often appear on R&B Season, but we would be remiss not to put you on to his latest joint effort. The Young Money boss joined forces with Jon Batiste recently on “Uneasy,” a soulful song that’s got social media talking. To close out today’s female-forward round-up we suggest you stream Jamila Woods’ beautiful “Boomerang” when you have a moment during your Self Care Sunday activities.
Find all of this weekend’s new R&B Season-worthy arrivals exclusively on our Spotify playlist above. Are there any songs you think we might’ve missed? Let us know in the comments, and find more HNHH release recommendations on our Fire Emoji playlist at the link below.
Recently 6LACK appeared on All Up In My Grill to discuss a number of different topics. One of the longer discussions they have is about rappers from 6LACK’s native Atlanta. He’s asked about his “Mount Rushmore” which is shorthand for the four best/most legendary artists. ”If I could combine Andre and Big Boi into like a connected person on Mount Rushmore, then I would put OutKast right there,” he began. “I’m gonna jump to the new era because these two artists hand in hand have changed the sound of music today, Future and Yung Thug.”
6LACK also took the opportunity to flex just how many legends Atlanta has. “This is where it gets a little tricky because we’ve got T.I., we’ve got Jeezy, we’ve got Luda, we’ve got Gucci. I’m gonna give it to Tip because he had such an impact on my school year.” Even after discussing his Mount Rushmore of Atlanta rappers, he had more names to offer. He cited Jermain Dupri, Gucci Mane, Goodie Mob, Jeezy, and Usher as influences on his career. He also took the opportunity to express his love for hot lemon-pepper wings. You can check out the full interview below.
6LACK’s ATL Mount Rushmore
Earlier this year 6LACK released his third studio album Since I Have A Lover. The project came after a long 5-year gap in new albums. The album featured guest performances from Don Toliver, Wale, and QUIN. The album debuted at number 24 on the Billboard 200, a step back from his previous album which reached number 3. In between the two he released the 6pc Hot EP which featured Lil Baby. That EP went on to debut at number 15 on the Billboard 200.
6LACK has spent much of his time in between albums delivering guest vocals. Last year he teamed up with Jessie Reyez for a song called “FOREVER.” He also teamed up with J. Cole and Bas for a standout track on Cole’s most recent studio album in 2021. What do you think of 6LACK’s picks for the best rappers to ever come out of Atlanta? Let us know in the comment section below.
While hip-hop has only just now produced a No. 1 album over halfway through the year thanks to Lil Uzi Vert, R&B started out on a strong note thanks to SZA’s SOS. The TDE artist’s sophomore effort has spent a total of eight weeks championing the Billboard 200, only being beaten out by country star Morgan Wallen’s One Thing at a Time. Aside from the “Kill Bill” singer’s major success, other favorites in the genre have given us noteworthy new releases over the past months too.
Our annual round-up of the year’s best rap albums so far is primarily male-dominated, with Sexyy Red’s Hood Hottest Princess earning her the only woman on the list. R&B, however, has heard incredible new arrivals from our favorite female vocalists, including Kiana Lede’s highly anticipated follow-up to 2020’s KIKI. Of course, we didn’t totally forget about the guys – two of Canada and Jamaica’s finest also left us impressed with their R&B LPs earlier in 2023. Keep scrolling to see which artists made the cut, and let us know who your personal favorites are in the comments.
Not only did Kali Uchis captivate the world with her sensual Red Moon In Venus LP, but she also passed some major career milestones. The songbird’s third studio album debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 with over 55K, marking her first Top 10 entry on the list. Across 15 titles, Uchis connects with Summer Walker as well as frequent collaborators Omar Apollo, and her boyfriend, Don Toliver.
Red Moon In Venus arrived at the beginning of March, and weeks later the bilingual artist went on to perform several tracks from it at Coachella. Both weekends Uchis had arguably one of the best sets, bringing out guests like Tyler, The Creator, and Toliver. Speaking of the Cactus Jack artist, his girlfriend appeared on his Love Sick album’s “4 Me” single prior to dropping her own project.
“‘Red Moon in Venus’ is a timeless, burning expression of desire, heartbreak, faith, and honesty, reflecting the divine femininity of the moon and Venus,” Uchis previously told Consequence of her work. Aside from her vision and vocal talent, the ethereal starlet also produced the opening song, “In My Garden…” on her own.
For Janelle Monae, The Age of Pleasure is more than just an album – it’s a sexual revolution. As we saw throughout her long-awaited LP’s rollout, the Kansas native is feeling more confident and carefree than ever before. Her breasts have been a focal point of the genre-bending work, appearing on the digital cover art, vinyl, and in front of thousands of fans at various live performances over the past few months.
The 37-year-old shared “Float” with Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 as her first single, later following it with “Lipstick Lover.” The latter came along with a salacious teaser video that left the internet lusting after Monae like never before, also confirming her first studio album in over five years. Our personal favorite collaboration on the tracklist is “Phenomenal” featuring TDE’s Doechii, though Grace Jones, Nia Long, Amaarae, Sister Nancy, and CKay make appearances as well.
Daniel Caesar – NEVER ENOUGH
Daniel Caesar’s debut album, Freudian, remains a staple in the rotation of many R&B lovers. Unfortunately for the Canadian, his fame was short-lived after he made controversial comments about race during a live stream that ultimately found him facing widespread cancellation. His sophomore effort, CASE STUDY 01, was largely skipped over as a result, even though it features stunning vocal work from Caesar.
By the time he shared his third LP, NEVER ENOUGH earlier in 2023, the embattled artist had thankfully moved back into the public’s good graces. Caesar teased us with singles like “Please Do Not Lean” featuring BADBADNOTGOOD, “Always,” and “Do You Like Me?” all of which only made fans fall more in love with his dreamy voice. Aside from vocals, the 28-year-old also flexed his producer skills alongside little brother Zachary Simmonds, Sir Dylan, Sevn Thomas, Rami, and Raphael Saadiq.
Kiana Lede – Grudges
The most recently released alum to land on our must-listen list of R&B releases so far this year comes from sultry songbird Kiana Lede. Her follow-up to 2020’s KIKI came in the form of Grudges, an undeniably toxic project that’s perfect for anyone who might be struggling with any pent-up resentment toward an old friend. The 26-year-old immediately catches our attention with “Bitter B**ch – INTROlude” and laces in collaborations with Bryson Tiller, Ella Mai, and Khalid throughout the 18-song tracklist.
During an interview with Vibe, Lede gave some insight into the inspiration behind her sophomore album. “‘Grudges’ actually has multiple meanings in this album. Obviously, there’s the [literal one]. I’m a bitter b**ch [who] definitely [has] grudges. I hold them very well. I’m working on it. I’m in therapy,” she admitted.
“So grudges towards relationships, also grudges just in my life. It’s something that I feel like we all constantly have to work on, whether it’s relationships or within ourselves, within the world,” Lede also told the outlet.
Masego – Masego
R&B music is typically most appreciated in the chilly winter months of cuffing season, but when a Masego song comes on, it’s hard not to fantasize about a romantic trip to the tropics at any time of year. It had been nearly two and a half years since his Studying Abroad project arrived when the Jamaican singer delivered his 14-track, self-titled LP. The former saw him teaming up with a handful of friends including Shenseea and Don Toliver, but on the latter, he operated solo.
Fan favorites on Masego include “What You Wanna Try,” “Black Anime,” and “Sax Fifth Avenue.” Whether you’re seeking to pretend you’re on the beach while tanning in your backyard this summer or need a soundtrack for an evening of dancing with friends, the 30-year-old has you covered with his long-awaited, must-listen record. He’s got a few live performances lined up over the coming months, including one at AfroBeats Festival in August, so fans will even have a chance to enjoy Masego’s new music in person before fall hits.
While hip-hop has only just now produced a No. 1 album over halfway through the year thanks to Lil Uzi Vert, R&B started out on a strong note thanks to SZA’s SOS. The TDE artist’s sophomore effort has spent a total of eight weeks championing the Billboard 200, only being beaten out by country star Morgan Wallen’s One Thing at a Time. Aside from the “Kill Bill” singer’s major success, other favorites in the genre have given us noteworthy new releases over the past months too.
Our annual round-up of the year’s best rap albums so far is primarily male-dominated, with Sexyy Red’s Hood Hottest Princess earning her the only woman on the list. R&B, however, has heard incredible new arrivals from our favorite female vocalists, including Kiana Lede’s highly anticipated follow-up to 2020’s KIKI. Of course, we didn’t totally forget about the guys – two of Canada and Jamaica’s finest also left us impressed with their R&B LPs earlier in 2023. Keep scrolling to see which artists made the cut, and let us know who your personal favorites are in the comments.
Not only did Kali Uchis captivate the world with her sensual Red Moon In Venus LP, but she also passed some major career milestones. The songbird’s third studio album debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 with over 55K, marking her first Top 10 entry on the list. Across 15 titles, Uchis connects with Summer Walker as well as frequent collaborators Omar Apollo, and her boyfriend, Don Toliver.
Red Moon In Venus arrived at the beginning of March, and weeks later the bilingual artist went on to perform several tracks from it at Coachella. Both weekends Uchis had arguably one of the best sets, bringing out guests like Tyler, The Creator, and Toliver. Speaking of the Cactus Jack artist, his girlfriend appeared on his Love Sick album’s “4 Me” single prior to dropping her own project.
“‘Red Moon in Venus’ is a timeless, burning expression of desire, heartbreak, faith, and honesty, reflecting the divine femininity of the moon and Venus,” Uchis previously told Consequence of her work. Aside from her vision and vocal talent, the ethereal starlet also produced the opening song, “In My Garden…” on her own.
For Janelle Monae, The Age of Pleasure is more than just an album – it’s a sexual revolution. As we saw throughout her long-awaited LP’s rollout, the Kansas native is feeling more confident and carefree than ever before. Her breasts have been a focal point of the genre-bending work, appearing on the digital cover art, vinyl, and in front of thousands of fans at various live performances over the past few months.
The 37-year-old shared “Float” with Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 as her first single, later following it with “Lipstick Lover.” The latter came along with a salacious teaser video that left the internet lusting after Monae like never before, also confirming her first studio album in over five years. Our personal favorite collaboration on the tracklist is “Phenomenal” featuring TDE’s Doechii, though Grace Jones, Nia Long, Amaarae, Sister Nancy, and CKay make appearances as well.
Daniel Caesar – NEVER ENOUGH
Daniel Caesar’s debut album, Freudian, remains a staple in the rotation of many R&B lovers. Unfortunately for the Canadian, his fame was short-lived after he made controversial comments about race during a live stream that ultimately found him facing widespread cancellation. His sophomore effort, CASE STUDY 01, was largely skipped over as a result, even though it features stunning vocal work from Caesar.
By the time he shared his third LP, NEVER ENOUGH earlier in 2023, the embattled artist had thankfully moved back into the public’s good graces. Caesar teased us with singles like “Please Do Not Lean” featuring BADBADNOTGOOD, “Always,” and “Do You Like Me?” all of which only made fans fall more in love with his dreamy voice. Aside from vocals, the 28-year-old also flexed his producer skills alongside little brother Zachary Simmonds, Sir Dylan, Sevn Thomas, Rami, and Raphael Saadiq.
Kiana Lede – Grudges
The most recently released alum to land on our must-listen list of R&B releases so far this year comes from sultry songbird Kiana Lede. Her follow-up to 2020’s KIKI came in the form of Grudges, an undeniably toxic project that’s perfect for anyone who might be struggling with any pent-up resentment toward an old friend. The 26-year-old immediately catches our attention with “Bitter B**ch – INTROlude” and laces in collaborations with Bryson Tiller, Ella Mai, and Khalid throughout the 18-song tracklist.
During an interview with Vibe, Lede gave some insight into the inspiration behind her sophomore album. “‘Grudges’ actually has multiple meanings in this album. Obviously, there’s the [literal one]. I’m a bitter b**ch [who] definitely [has] grudges. I hold them very well. I’m working on it. I’m in therapy,” she admitted.
“So grudges towards relationships, also grudges just in my life. It’s something that I feel like we all constantly have to work on, whether it’s relationships or within ourselves, within the world,” Lede also told the outlet.
Masego – Masego
R&B music is typically most appreciated in the chilly winter months of cuffing season, but when a Masego song comes on, it’s hard not to fantasize about a romantic trip to the tropics at any time of year. It had been nearly two and a half years since his Studying Abroad project arrived when the Jamaican singer delivered his 14-track, self-titled LP. The former saw him teaming up with a handful of friends including Shenseea and Don Toliver, but on the latter, he operated solo.
Fan favorites on Masego include “What You Wanna Try,” “Black Anime,” and “Sax Fifth Avenue.” Whether you’re seeking to pretend you’re on the beach while tanning in your backyard this summer or need a soundtrack for an evening of dancing with friends, the 30-year-old has you covered with his long-awaited, must-listen record. He’s got a few live performances lined up over the coming months, including one at AfroBeats Festival in August, so fans will even have a chance to enjoy Masego’s new music in person before fall hits.
Blxst has impressed us already with his work in 2023 so far, from his appearance on Labo4oe’s “Tada” to his Just For Clarity 2 EP. The latter previously gave R&B lovers four new songs to revel in, including “Passionate” featuring Roddy Ricch, “Keep Calling” with Larry June, and the Mustard-produced “Ghetto Cinderella” alongside Terrace Martin. His most recent work came in the form of “West Coast Weekend” with YG and Tyga last month, but Blxst knows that’s not enough to keep his fans satisfied all through the summer.
On Tuesday (July 11), the vocalist surprised us with a new single called “child of GOD,” which finally finds him connecting with West Coast artist Remble. Blxst begins the song with a catchy chorus followed by a reflective verse. “Yeah, and I done seen it all above / The hate, the love, the fake handshakes, the genuine hugs / It is what it is, yeah, was what it was / I done really lost friends, that’s what success does,” he contemplates.
Blxst is Feeling Like a “child of GOD” on New Remble Collab
For his part, Remble brings his signature flow to the beat, praising the Lord and reminding listeners that things come easier when you surrender to the divine plan. While speaking with Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1, Blxst explained how their genre-bending single came to be. “Remble, for example, the dichotomy between him and me, it’s just like good and evil. People love to see those things meshed together. And even on ‘child of GOD,’ that was the constant theme in the song, seeing the good, no matter what evil you’re surrounded by,” he told the host.
Learn the lyrics to Blxst and Remble’s “child of GOD” collaboration on YouTube above, or add the new arrival to your playlist on Spotify/Apple Music. Are you feeling the song? Let us know in the comments, and find more HNHH release recommendations on our R&B Season round-up at the link below.
Lost in my fate, hard to relate Forgive me for my sins, all the hearts that I break Wished I was on, now I’m gettin’ off with the greats I guess you gotta win, all them losses you take
Steve Lacy is still riding the wave from a major breakout last year. The California singer-songwriter and multi instrumentalist is getting a lot more attention than he’s used to these days. That includes fans paying attention when he changed his hair. He shared a post of his new look to Instagram over the weekend. “why tf @fousheelive lay my hair..downnnn,” Lacy said in the caption. While there were many comparisons made in the comments, one was more common than any other. Most fans saw Lacy as emulating Andre 3000’s look in the music video for the classic Outkast hit “Hey Ya.”
After years as a beloved indie darling. Steve Lacy had a massive mainstream breakthrough last year. Most of that was due to the mega-hit “Bad Habit” which blew up on TikTok before going fully mainstream. Eventually the song became a number one hit on the Hot 100 and one of the biggest hit songs of last year. Lacy is yet to release any new material so far this year, but has been touring pretty extensively in support of his Gemini Rights album last year. He’s currently on tour as part of the Re:Set concert series with James Blake, Toro Y Moi, and Foushee.
Steve Lacy’s big 2022 has led into a similarly big 2023. Back in April, he was among some other musical superstars on Time Magazine‘s list of the most influential people of 2023. He also took home his first ever Grammy this year. Gemini Rights took home the award for Best Progressive R&B album at this year’s awards. He also got to perform his breakout his “Bad Habits” during the ceremony.
Last year, Lacy took his newfound success to the Saturday Night Live stage. He performed his songs “Bad Habit” and “Helmet” for the crowd of the long-running late-night show. It was one of a number of late-night performances he did to promote the track in the wake of its surprise success. What do you think of Steve Lacy’s new haircut? Let us know in the comment section below.
The women of R&B aren’t coming to play this summer – especially not Kiana Lede. On Friday (June 16), the songstress shared her highly anticipated sophomore album, Grudges, which marks her first full-length effort since 2020’s KIKI. Her debut LP became an immediate fan favourite, thanks to titles like “Mad At Me,” “Forfeit” featuring Lucky Daye, “Chocolate” with Ari Lennox,” and “Second Chances” alongside 6LACK.
For today’s drop, Lede has brought on an equally impressive roster of collaborators. She and Ella Mai connected on the previously released “Jealous” single, which was also accompanied by solo efforts like “Irresponsible” and more recently, “Deeper.” Bryson Tiller makes an appearance on “Gone,” and near the end of the 18-track effort, Khalid lends his talents to “Where You Go.” As noted on the opening song, “Bitter B**ch – INTROlude,” we hear several toxic viewpoints throughout the lyrics, proving that it may just be an “Act Bad” summer after all.
During an interview with Vibe, Lede spoke candidly about the creative process behind her sophomore release. “Grudges actually has multiple meanings in this album. Obviously, there’s the [literal one]. I’m a bitter b**ch [who] definitely [has] grudges. I hold them very well. I’m working on it. I’m in therapy,” the 26-year-old shared. “I want fans to be able to acknowledge that it’s okay to be f**ked up, but you also have to call it, name it and work on it. For a lot of people like me, especially an Aries, it’s hard not to hold a grudge,” the singer added when asked what she hopes listeners take away from her work.
“It’s always about learning and growth and I would love for people to be able to create a safe space, or twerk in their room. I embrace a lot of emotions in this album, so I really just want people to call [out] your weaknesses and traumas but also enjoy working through those things, and accept it and grow from it. Tour will be coming at the end of the year,” she also confirmed. Stream Kiana Lede’s new Grudges album on Spotify above, or find it on Apple Music here. After you’ve listened, let us know what your top three favourite titles from the tracklist are in the comments. For more HNHH release recommendations, make sure to check back later this weekend.
