Last Sunday, our R&B Season update brought five new female-first titles to you for consideration. Today (January 29), we’re back with four more songs for you to stream, kicking off with Chlöe’s “Pray It Away.”
The Atlanta songstress shared the long-awaited news of her debut solo album last week. Currently, it’s due to drop in March. Throughout 2022, she teased her fans plenty with releases like “Surprise” and “Treat Me.”
On her final drop of last year, “For The Night,” Chlöe admitted to using her brief fling with Gunna as inspiration for her music. From the sounds of things, her latest R&B arrival may also be the result of a broken heart.
Following the fashionista is Lil Yachty, who shared his Let’s Start Here. record on Friday (January 27). A far reach from his usual SoundCloud rap style, the new album finds the “Broccoli” hitmaker experimenting like never before.
Of the 14 songs included on the tracklist, we’ve selected “drive ME crazy!” as our top pick.
“Good, love feels like butterflies suffocating your insides / Oh, it’s a late night, you know I try,” Yachty lyricizes on the song’s second verse.
Next comes our only R&B collaborative effort his weekend, from Vandell Andrew and The Colleagues. They linked up with Raheem DeVaughn to craft a remix of their “Euphoria” single. Listeners have already been streaming the song heavily.
Finally, our last selection of the week comes from Daniel Caesar, who has one question for listeners – “Do You Like Me?”
The Canadian singer is preparing for his forthcoming album with his first single of the year. Previously, he was joined by BADBADNOTGOOD on “Please Do Not Lean” in the spring of 2022.
Stream our latest R&B Season update exclusively on Spotify below. Additionally, you can find more hot new music recommendations on our Fire Emoji playlist here.
The end of the weekend is finally upon us. While that can certainly cause some Sunday Scaries, our roster of new music will quickly help to cure those. Today, we have a new single from Colarado-raised, LA-based R&B starlet, Kayla Rae. On Friday (January 27), “Blue” arrived, complete with production from Grammy-winning duo, Stargate.
Alongside the sultry song comes a Daniel Choi visual that’s “reminiscent of the 90s and early 00s R&B girl groups” that gave the vocalist inspiration in her younger years.
Image provided to HNHH by Desi
Throughout her lyrics, Rae reflects on the feeling of having the person you love move on and find happiness with another. She obviously captures the emotional highs and lows of breakups beautifully. Additionally, she lyricizes about the empowerment that comes from overcoming pain.
“Baby, I’ve been feeling like my heart is turning ice blue / Like a Colorado winter, it’s been frozen too soon,” she sings, paying homage to the sometimes frigid beauty of her childhood home.
“Like a tinted Maserati underneath the white moon / Like the hunnids in my pocket ‘n’ all the pain I go through.”
“Blue” marks Rae’s first effort of 2023. Her noteworthy releases from the year before include “Prove Sumn” and “Gifted.”
She made her first significant mark back in 2020 with the arrival of her Pressure project. This gave her the opportunity to open for Doja Cat, Tyga, and Ashanti, ahead of the tumultuous COVID-19 lockdown.
Stream Kayla Rae’s debut HNHH single, “Blue,” on Spotify or Apple Music below. Additionally, check back later today for more song recommendations on our R&B Season update.
Quotable Lyrics:
Baby, I’ve been feeling like my heart is turning ice blue Like a Colorado winter, it’s been frozen too soon Like a tinted Maserati underneath the white moon Like the hunnids in my pocket ‘n’ all the pain I go through
If you’re in the mood for some undeniably excellent R&B tunes this weekend, we suggest you stream the latest from Gene Noble. On Friday (January 20), he delivered his second full-length project in eight years, complete with a handful of previously released singles as well as some new titles that you’ll surely love.
“It’s been a minute since I put out a full body of work! I wanted to cover a lot of different feels to get reacquainted with the people that have checked for me, and also introduce myself to those unfamiliar,” the artist told Rated R&B of his recent arrival.
Singer/Songwriter Gene Noble poses for a photo befor his performance at The Mint on November 3, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Earl Gibson III/Getty Images)
“Champagne Jack” and “The Cost” both landed on DSPs prior to Noble’s grand return. Speaking on the latter, he previously said, “Nothing in life is free. Everything has a cost. At times that cost is too high or too unknown and we’re left to figure it out. This song is a reflection of the toll that cost can take on a person.”
“The high cost of fame, the high cost of dreams, the high cost of love, friendships and relationships… it can be a bit heavy to consider and yet as social beings, interaction is necessary. All of our desires are reachable as long as we are willing to pay the cost,” the Kansas native went on.
Along with the project’s arrival, Noble has markedly declared “whatever it is” to be the focus track. Feel A Way marks his first release since Rebirth of Gene in March 2014, which made it to the iTunes R&B Albums Top 20 chart.
Stream Gene Noble’s latest album on Spotify or Apple Music below. Additionally, make sure to check back later today to find more new releases on our R&B Season update.
Authorities recently arrested Jaguar Wright following an alleged domestic dispute with her husband, during which she reportedly dumped her son’s ashes. While many made calls for the R&B singer to receive help, some already knew a certain extent of her behavior. In light of that incident, many Jaguar Wright interview clips resurfaced online, in which she makes some crazy claims.
PHILADELPHIA – DECEMBER 05: Jaguar Wright visits PIR Studios on December 5, 2008 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images)
“There’s been a lot of sifting through,” the 47-year-old said in an interview with RealLyfe Productions about a week ago. “I got 25, 30-year relationships, you know what I mean? With people in this industry, and I don’t know who the f**k I can trust anymore.”
Before this current debacle, Wright made headlines for some of her outstanding allegations. Moreover, one of the biggest bombs she dropped was accusations of sexual assault against her ex, Common. That was a couple of years ago, and many assume that this started a downward spiral for the singer.
“I was for sure disappointed and hurt when she said what she said about me because it wasn’t true,” Common stated. “I know people that have experienced sexual assault and that’s not anything to just say if it’s not true. But I also understand that she may be going through some things that I don’t understand.
“In all truth, I went through different emotions. I’m like, oh man, why is she saying this? This is not true. How’s this gon’ affect me?”
With all this in mind, some of Wright’s recent interviews added fuel to this fire. In her interview with RealLyfe Productions, she spoke about fearing for her life while in Dallas. Apparently, the situation stemmed from a conflict with Tasha K.
“My life was being threatened, and not figuratively, Literally we were being hunted… Tasha K- I’ll say allegedly for y’all, so ain’t nobody talking about no defamations. Allegedly, the b***h was hired to target me. When I started the women’s group… three of the women in the group all worked for Tasha K. One of the women, who has positioned herself as my right-hand woman to help me build it- I mean this b***h actually came to my house.
“So Tasha K had somebody in my f***king home, amongst my family.” Moreover, Wright recounted how someone tried to break into their house and said the woman was responsible for people creeping on her.
Still, what do you think of Jaguar Wright’s interview clips and the discourse surrounding her? Whatever the case, let us know in the comments down below. Also, as always, check back in with HNHH to see if Wright’s ordeals resolve.
Michigan-born singer Vedo graced fans with Mood Swings, his latest solo album since 2021’s 1320. On it, the R&B star toys with varying styles in the genre, from classic sultry slow-burns to brighter trap-influenced tunes. Overall, it makes a concise and varied collection of tracks that don’t overstay their welcome.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 12: Vedo during Mood Swings Listening Party at Chelsea House on January 12, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
While Vedo garnered his fame among other stars on The Voice, this album doesn’t need much outside assistance. Moreover, there are only two features listed: rapper-singer Tink and superstar Chris Brown. Him and Vedo released their track “Do You Mind” just last week as a single.
Furthermore, that track is one of the more upbeat and breezy moments on the album. Also, it’s playfully lustful and provides a nice contrast to the project’s more melancholy cuts like “FOREVER.” Some standout lines from the song are “I like what I like, I’m not the type that’s gon’ be stalkin’ you. Oh, I know I’m a player but I’ll wait up, shoot my shot and then I follow through. You so good, I wanna give my heart to you. Put that ass in park and send a car to you.”
That being said, the former Voice contestant also throws it back to more old-school styles of R&B. For example, there’s the opener “Waterfalls,” with its wailing guitars, lumbering tempo, and cavernous drums. Moreover, there’s a nice variety of snap beats, trap percussion, and live instrumentation to make each track feel part of a larger whole. However, Vedo’s vocal range and melodic tendencies are always at its core.
Still, what did you think of Vedo’s new album, Mood Swings? Whatever the case, let us know in the comments and peep the tracklist down below. Also, if you haven’t listened to the album yet, you can find it on your preferred streaming service. As always, stay up to date with HNHH for the best new releases in R&B.
Great news for R&B lovers – we have a selection of new songs for you on our weekly playlist update. Of course, there aren’t as many titles as you’ll find on our hip-hop hits Fire Emoji roundup, but they’re certainly setting the tone for what else is to come from our favourite artists this year.
The first spot on our list goes to PARTYNEXTDOOR, whose “Her Old Friends” single has already become a fan favourite. As you may recall, at the end of 2022 the music catalogues of several OVO artists began vanishing from streaming.
Unsurprisingly, this sent listeners scrambling for answers. Thankfully, the arrival of a great new track from the R&B vocalist seems to have settled their nerves.
Throughout his verses, PND sings, “It’s gon’ be so hard to clean back that body when I gwaan it / Yeah, I wants to take her out the game / Who’s to f*ckin’ blame? What’s my f*ckin’ name? / Yeah, I was playin’ by the rules, only let her do wrongs.”
Our second new single for your streaming pleasure comes from RealestK. He shows out on “Wish You Well” this weekend, which made its official debut on Friday (January 13).
In recent months, the Canadian R&B artist also shared his Dreams 2 Reality project. This helped him make his mark within the industry, holding his own across 14 tracks, including singles like “WFM,” “Love Me,” and “Toxic.”
Finally, we have a reimagined throwback from Jeremih. He sped up his previously released “Changes” song, and you’ll definitely want to have it on your winter playlist.
Further down you’ll find new-ish arrivals from names like Queen Naija, Vedo, Chris Brown, SZA, and more.
Stream our R&B Season update exclusively on Spotify below. Additionally, you can find more new music recommendations on our Fire Emoji playlist here.
While sites like TikTok popularized speeding up or slowing down audio, the music industry made it official by taking advantage of the demand. Jeremih is the latest artist to do so, as he dropped “Changes (Sped Up).” Moreover, the original track was a smooth, slow, and sultry R&B cut with vivid instrumentation. While the song’s original drama isn’t downplayed in the sped up version, the emotion comes across as slightly more nostalgic.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 17: Rapper Jeremih performs onstage during the 1st annual In My Feelz Festival presented by Umbrella MGMT at Banc of California Stadium on December 17, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)
Furthermore, it’s funny that something so taken for granted as tempo and pitch can drastically change a song’s vibe. Even if the lyrics are still the same, the high pitch in the piano keys make the song sound like a dream. Also, the fact that the track’s sound still fits the lyrical content speaks to the song’s dynamism. The first track came across as lustful, but the production on the sped up version reins that back a little.
Meanwhile, it’s replaced by what sounds like a West Coast type beat that could still have Lil Baby rapping over it like it’s nothing. As the R&B singer croons about a struggling relationship and being left in the dust, the verses and choruses swell in and out with warm horns and live percussion. Still, if you don’t like the sped up version, maybe the upcoming slowed down one will be more up your alley.
While Jeremih released plenty of music last year, much of it came in the form of features and guest appearances. As one of the most notable R&B singers of the 2010s, his presence on a track is sure to inject some soul no matter what. For example, he assisted singer Nakkia Gold on her relationship-heavy December album, Like Girls.
What did you think of the sped up version of “Changes” by Jeremih? Moreover, do you prefer it over the original, or do the first track’s smoother R&B leanings hit harder for you? Whatever the case, let us know in the comments and check out some standout lines from the song down below as well. Also, if you haven’t checked it out yet, you can find “Changes (Sped Up)” on your preferred streaming service. As always, check back in with HNHH for the best new R&B each week.
Quotable Lyrics
Thoughts in the positions I can see you in (In) Introduce you to some ghetto romance (Oh) Handcuffs, keys up in the dresser, we can leave ’em there (Leave) You know it don’t make no difference, I can leave it in
2022 brought us plenty of memorable R&B projects. From Brent Faiyaz’s Wasteland to Ari Lennox’s age/sex/location, our favourite artists expertly delivered exactly what their audience was seeking. Obviously, there’s some added pressure for 2023 after such an impressive year, but a few brave creators are already sharing their first releases.
Among them is Queen Naija, whose voice shines on her “Let’s Talk About It” track. Throughout her lyrics, the songstress calls out the men in her life for their confusing nature.
“Sick of puttin’ all these egotistical, n*ggas on a pedestal / All up in a woman’s business, worry ’bout your revenue,” the 27-year-old sings.
In the accompanying music video, Naija stars alongside BMF star Lil Meech. The R&B diva and two other women confront the actor, who’s been tied up, for disrespecting them.
As for collaborative efforts, we’ve got two to recommend. Firstly there’s Vedo and Chris Brown’s work on their “Do You Mind” single.
The nearly two-and-a-half minute long track is due to appear on the former’s upcoming project. Titled Mood Swings, his fans will be able to enjoy the R&B star’s new work this coming Friday (January 13).
For his part, Brown flirtatiously sings, “I like what I like, I’m not the type that’s gon’ be stalkin’ you / Oh, I know I’m a player but I’ll wait up, shoot my shot and then I follow through.”
Finally, we have is this Cam? and Maurice Moore’s “Climax,” which has quickly become a favourite amongst listeners.
Whether you’re heading on a late night drive or spending time with your boo this cuffing season, it’s the perfect jam to help set the mood.
Stream our R&B Season playlist exclusively on Spotify below. Afterward, tell us your thoughts on the new additions to our weekly update in the comments.
It has been an undeniably massive year in music. There are more artists at our fingertips than ever before in history, and across the board, every genre saw new additions that were hits for both veterans and newcomers. In R&B, we were blessed with several takeaway releases that not only topped the charts, but they impacted the industry in a way that stood out from the crowd. As 2022 comes to a close, we’ve revisited some of our favorite R&B records from the year, and trust us, it wasn’t easy compiling this list.
Before anyone gets their feathers ruffled, our pick for the Top R&B Albums of the Year isn’t in any particular order. It should be noted that in this generation, R&B is evolving into spaces that artists of yesteryear have dabbled in, but without as much visibility or success. Alternative R&B enters mainstream spaces, Rock fusions are widely accepted, Neo-Soul is evolving, and producers are tapping into vintage Funk sounds with a new twist. Some listeners debate what is and isn’t considered R&B because the landscape has expanded.
While our picks for the Top R&B Albums of the Year most likely won’t match all of yours, we know that each of these artists placed here is well-deserved recognition. Some mainstream artists missed the list this year, and not because they, too, didn’t deliver stellar records; however, others shined in unique ways with distinctive sounds that demanded attention.
Check out our Top R&B Albums of the Year, and make sure to let us know your choices.
The Bay Area hitmaker delivered their third studio album in April. Known for their vulnerability, Kehlani once again took listeners into the deep recesses of their soul. Features included looks from Blxst, Justin Bieber, Jessie Reyez, Thundercat, and more, making for a well-rounded album.
This album was a long time coming for the Shea Butter Babysinger. As the first lady of Dreamville, Ari Lennox has enhanced a male-dominated space that hosts some of the industry’s favorite emcees. Her single “Pressure” was one but several standouts on this album, including “Boy Bye” with Lucky Daye and “Leak It” featuring Chlöe.
18. Steve Lacy – Gemini Rights
Prepare to feel seen while listening to this one. Lacy’s knack for storytelling shines on this project. Also, there are often mirror-confronting emotions that only arise when listening to an artist like Lacy.
17. Ella Mai – Heart On My Sleeve
Her self-titled debut arrived in 2018 and took R&B by storm. Singles “Trip” and “Boo’d Up” previously dominated the charts, and fans were begging Ella Mai for more. Heart On My Sleeve didn’t disappoint as the singer avoided the dreaded “Sophomore Slump” and glided through the album.
16. Lucky Daye – Candydrip
It is definitely Lucky Daye’s time to shine. Now that he has a Grammy under his belt, eyes have been keenly watching his next moves. Candydrip is in the running for the Grammys Best R&B Album category next year, and is well-deserved; whether uptempo grooves or mellow vibes, Daye takes you on a journey that will keep you on your toes.
When Mary J. steps to the mic, prepare to be impressed. The Queen of Hip Hop-Soul has captivated audiences for decades, and with each step, her evolution as a woman and artist is center stage. As she goes through her latest healing journey, Blige puts it all on the table—including her contentious divorce—and once again lets fans into her intimate spaces.
14. Brent Faiyaz – Wasteland
He has long stated that commercial success isn’t his goal, which sets Brent Faiyaz apart from many of his peers. Because he’s not the type of artist to feel tethered to a particular genre—despite being overwhelmingly R&B—we often hear Faiyaz experiment in subtle ways that make albums like Wasteland an enjoyable sonic experience.
13. Syd – Broken Hearts Club
She won our hearts over as the frontwoman of the stellar group The Internet, and this year, Syd delivered her first solo project in five years. Her mesmerizing voice penetrates the soul, making Broken Hearts Club a must on Top R&B lists of the year.
12. Phony Ppl – Euphonyus
For fans of R&B-Funk fusions, Phony Ppl is a must. The Brooklyn-based collective has infiltrated mainstream culture with a sound all its own. The use of melody, rhythm, and synesthesia make Euphonyus a project that no other artists could tackle with such precision.
It was expected for Dawn FM to dominate throughout the year since each of The Weeknd’s projects is more of an experience than just an album. The Canadian superstar, once again, took fans through several visual and sonic adventures while promoting this one. The pairing of R&B synth and ’80s production are nods to music history that fans are eating up.
10. Ravyn Lenae – Hypnos
Be prepared to take an ethereal trip with Lenae as her buttery vocals drift listeners from the first track to the last. From classical to gospel, expect Lena to take you on a wild sonic ride influenced by an array of genres.
9. dvsn – Working On My Karma
This singer-producer duo has often been labeled as “Toxic R&B,” but that is primarily because of their honest approach to songwriting. As others tackle more romantic vibes in R&B, dvsn isn’t afraid to show their authenticity. dvsn frontman Daniel Daley is unafraid of being the “bad guy” and pens songs that speak to relationships that should end, not come together. It’s a level of truth that not all artists face, but Working on My Karma does just that.
8. Moonchild – Starfruit
It is easy to feel as if you’re floating while listening to Moonchild. The jazzy Soul group tapped peers like Alex Isley, Rapsody, and Lalah Hathaway for Starfruit. The trio has been together for a decade, and sonically, their connection as collaborators is almost palpable on Starfruit.
7. Giveon – Give or Take
One of the most recognizable voices in R&B-Pop today is Giveon. His deep, haunting-yet-bewitching vocals have helped catapult him to international stardom. As his official debut, Give or Take is almost theatrical, in both its rollout and essence.
6. Alex Isley, Jack Dine – Marigold
Marigold is certainly a 2022 standout that most Top R&B AOTY lists have included. The collaborative effort is a “no skips” project that can ease any troubled mind, often described as being able to ground listeners.
5. SZA – S.O.S
She’s lamented about being boxed in as only an R&B artist, but SZA is very much a pillar in the genre. S.O.S has become her most experimental effort to date, as she fuses Rock and Alternative sounds with R&B stylings. The project has been praised near and far, and there are even whispers of a full Rock album to follow.
4. Beyoncé – Renaissance
One of the most talked about releases of the year, unsurprisingly, arrived this summer, courtesy of Beyoncé. This nod to R&B, Dance, Electronic, and House music from the 1980s was fueled by samples of Black artists who helped shape an era of music. Although it doesn’t adhere to a purist’s ideal of R&B, Bey & Co. didn’t miss and her vocal stylings were still very much centered in the genre.
3. FKA Twigs – Caprisongs
The British songbird may take over headlines due to controversy, but FKA Twigs’s ability to create movements musically aids her attractability. She has said that Caprisongs was a record that, for the first time in her career, she created for others as a collective. Her vulnerability is shared with listeners who, Twigs stated, needed support during this time.
2. Lady Wray – Pieces of Me
The soulful sounds of Lady Wray spun listeners in circles. Reminiscent of Golden Era R&B fused with Jazz influences, Wray is unlike any other on the scene. Some have compared her stylings to Amy Winehouse’s, and Pieces of Me touches on Wray’s gospel influences that some say are missing from today’s culture of R&B.
1. Muni Long – Public Displays of Affection
After spending years penning songs for some of our favorite hitmakers, Muni Long has stepped into the spotlight with full force. Public Displays of Affection hosted a few of her viral hits, but the remainder proved that she is a singer-songwriter who is only improving as she evolves into her new era.
She’s the multihyphenate “it” girl that has captivated viewers on shows like Star and Grown-ish, but Ryan Destiny’s career started in music. A global audience has already been introduced to the several talents Ryan has to offer, and often, it can be easy to box her in as an actress with a big voice. Yet, Ryan has been pursuing music since her pre-teen days, even being a part of a girl group and signing a record deal. Acting catapulted her into stardom, but R&B-Pop aspirations have lingered.
Recently, Ryan shared her new single “How Many,” and the accompanying visual was a stunning nod to R&B mavens of yesteryear. We’ve seen her star in music videos for artists like Doja Cat, Justin Bieber, and two for Big Sean. This time, she’s taking center stage as she delivers a track about a cheating partner who has taken her for granted.
In our insightful 12 Days of Christmas interview with Ryan, she opens up about perfecting the balance in juggling multiple pursuits, especially as her acting career continues to elevate.
“Just being transparent, I feel like it’s something that still has to kind of go day by day with it,” Ryan exclusively told us. “And I’m very interested to see how my next year goes because it’s probably going to be the hardest to juggle, just out of the past few years, because of the pandemic, and everything that went on, I feel like it really slowed a lot of things down.”
“But now, since things are starting to pick back up, it’s just going to be really interesting to see how it all really can be done, because of the projects that I have coming out, with acting, and then more things being produced, and then music as well. And just kind of how those two live together.”
Read more from our interview with Ryan as she opens up about maintaining her privacy, only being in competition with herself, and being okay with not having it all together.
This interview has been slightly edited for clarity.
(@VedoTheSinger) 
