No two artists have better represented the ongoing cultural takeover of Nigerian Afrobeats than Tems and Asake. While the latter made waves with his third album, Lungu Boy, the former released her debut album, Born In The Wild to commercial success and critical acclaim, achieving the highest peak for an album by a Nigerian female artist and received a nomination for Best Global Music Album at next year’s Grammy Awards.
So, it’s only right that they close out their stellar year together with the video for “Get It Right,” from Born In The Wild. The mid-tempo vibes of the song are paired with yin-and-yang imagery in the video, with the majority of Tems’ scenes shot on a white background with a matching ensemble, right down to the white wig evoking another “African” icon: Storm from the X-Men. Naturally, that leaves Asake to take on the black-on-black aesthetic, including Matrix-leather everything — including a nearby couch — and sunglasses. Their scenes together reverse this dynamic, with Asake donning a white long sleeve and Tems rocking a black leather dress.
Watch Tems’ “Get It Right” video featuring Asake above.
Born In The Wild is out now via RCA Records/Since 93. You can find more info here.
GRAMMY® Award-winning and Oscar-nominated Nigerian artist Tems has released a sultry new music video for “Turn Me Up,” a standout track from her debut album, Born In The Wild. Directed by Loris Russier, the video was shot in Jamaica, capturing the song’s Caribbean and Afropop essence.
Since releasing Born In The Wild via RCA Records/Since ’93 earlier this year, Tems has continued her rise to global stardom. Her success includes three nominations at the upcoming 67th Annual GRAMMY® Awards for Best R&B Song (“Burning”), Best African Music Performance (“Love Me JeJe”), and Best Global Music Album (Born In The Wild).
The new visuals further showcase Tems’ artistic evolution, solidifying her position as one of the world’s most captivating voices.
In the past few years, Tems has become known as one of the foremost ambassadors of the African pop scene. In 2022, she became the first African artist to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100; last year, she and several of her countrymen performed at the NBA All-Star Game; and this year, she released her debut album, Born In The Wild, and went on her first headlining tour to promote it.
Today, she dropped the video for album standout, “Turn Me Up,” which combines her R&B-flavored approach to African pop sounds with Caribbean flair, adding a little dancehall styling to the already heady brew. For the video, she went straight to the source, shooting in Jamaica with director Loris Russier, highlighting the natural beauty of the island and the grittiness of its urban additions. Throughout the video, Jamaican rudeboys mean mug the camera to let viewers know that while the island is a gorgeous place to live, you’ve still got to be tough to survive there.
2024 continued to be a banner year for Tems, as she was also nominated for three Grammy Awards: Best R&B Song (“Burning”), Best African Music Performance (“Love Me JeJe”), and Best Global Music Album (Born In The Wild). We’ll see how she fares at the 67th Grammy Awards next year.
You can watch Tems’ steamy “Turn Me Up” video above.
Born In The Wild is out now via via RCA Records/Since ’93. You can find more information here.
For the past four years, Portugal’s Afro Nation festival has been the biggest Afrobeats festival in the world, and that tradition will continue in 2025. Festival organizers The Malachite Group have announced the dates for the fifth anniversary edition of Afro Nation in Portimão with headliners Burna Boy and Tems. Afro Nation Portugal 2025 will take place from July 9-11, 2025 on Praia Da Rocha Beach, returning to its home for the past four years. The presale for tickets begins on October 2, with the general sale starting on October 3. You can find more information here.
Burna Boy has been a fixture of Afro Nation since its inception in 2019, headlining the fest in 2022 and 2023, and helping to launch extensions of the festival in Miami and Detroit in 2023. While he’s taken a year off to complete his own tour, letting Rema, Asake, and J Hus take the reins for this year’s fest, his return will undoubtedly make a splash.
Meanwhile, Tems will make her Afro Nation debut with her headlining set next year after releasing her debut album, Born In The Wild, this past June to rave reviews and a respectable Billboard showing, peaking at No. 56 on the albums chart and at No. 2 on the World Albums chart.
Barack Obama’s summer playlists are an annual tradition. The former president loves to clue fans in on what he’s listening to, and co-sign lesser known artists. Obama’s 2024 playlist has dropped and it has a pretty diverse mix of classics and new releases. The Rolling Stones is sitting comfortably next to the likes of Tems and Billie Eilish. Tems cracked the list with her sultry single “Love Me Jeje,” while Eilish popped up with her song “Chihiro.” Fans were just as intrigued by the titles that didn’t make the cut as the ones that did.
Other notable artists who appeared include Common with his 2005 track “The People” and Beyonce with her latest hit, “Texas Hold ‘Em.” The latter makes complete sense, given how close Obama and the Carters are. Obama’s wife, Michelle, praised Beyonce’s album Cowboy Carter on social media when it dropped. “With Cowboy Carter, you have changed the game once again by helping redefine a music genre and transform our culture,” she wrote. “I am so proud of you.” The 2024 list was light in the hip-hop department, though. Besides “The People,” the only true blue hip-hop song to make the cut was “How Do U Want It” by Tupac, K-Ci & JoJo. Read the full list below.
R&B got a little more love, between the H.E.R. song “Process” and Tommy Richman’s “Million Dollar Baby.” The two biggest omissions, however, were Drake and Kendrick Lamar. Their battle will go down as the biggest hip-hop story of the year, and yet neither of them are represented here. Barack Obama didn’t feel like including obvious hits like “Like That” or “Not Like Us.” He didn’t even go the other way and pick Drake’s “Family Matters.” That said, Obama has made it clear that he leans more towards Lamar than he does the superstar Canadian.
In 2016, Barack Obama was asked whether he preferred Drake’s album Views or K. Dot’s To Pimp a Butterfly. He chose the latter without hesitation. “Gotta go with Kendrick,” the former President stated. “I’m just saying, I think Drake is an outstanding entertainer, but Kendrick, his lyrics, his last album was outstanding. [To Pimp a Butterfly was the] best album I think of last year.” Kendrick Lamar shouldn’t feel too bad, though. His single “Die Hard” made Barack Obama’s 2022 summer playlist.
Former President Obama has shared his latest summer playlist, and of course, he’s all-in on Brat Summer too. This year’s list includes new fan favorites from the likes of Billie Eilish, Shaboozey, and of course, Charli XCX, but it also has quite a few throwbacks, as well. “No Diggity” from Blackstreet makes an appearance, as does “Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting” from jazz great Charles Mingus and “How Do U Want It” from the late, great Tupac Shakur.
But, a big part of Obama’s appeal has been that he’s an older guy who keeps up with the times, and as per usual, he certainly does seem to have his ear to the streets — or at least, the algorithms. From Billie Eilish’s new album, Hit Me Hard And Soft, he’s got “Chihiro”; from Charli XCX’s unlikely political favorite, “365.” Shaboozey’s J-Kwon-sampling “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” is a no-brainer, as is Tommy Richman’s “Million Dollar Baby.”
However, there are also some surprises here. Rising British rapper Enny appears with her 2023 single “Charge It,” as does Saweetie’s newest single, “My Best.” R&B stars H.E.R. and Cleo Sol both appear (both songs are throwbacks from their catalogs, with “Process” and “Why Don’t You” representing their respective artists). But lest you think that golden ear is turning to tin, Tems’ “Love Me Jeje” also appears to keep things up to date.
You can see Mr. Obama’s full summer playlist below.
With summer winding down, I wanted to share some songs that I’ve been listening to lately – and it wouldn’t be my playlist if it didn’t include an eclectic mix. I hope you find something new to listen to! pic.twitter.com/aL400Ctpde
GRAMMY® Award-winning and Oscar-nominated singer, songwriter, and producer Tems has unveiled the official music video for “Burning,” a standout track from her debut studio album Born In The Wild. Directed by Tems herself, the visually captivating video was shot around New York City.
Tems released her highly anticipated debut album Born In The Wild on June 7th via RCA Records/Since ’93. The 18-track album features superstar collaborations with J.Cole and Asake and includes hits like “Me & U,” “Love Me JeJe,” and “Burning.” The latter has already amassed over 20 million streams and has taken over TikTok with more than 15 million creations.
Born In The Wild has garnered over 215 million streams worldwide and debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart. Thirteen tracks from the album also made notable debuts on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs Chart.
After a successful start to her BORN IN THE WILD WORLD TOUR across Europe and the UK earlier this summer, Tems is set to embark on the North American leg of the tour on August 22 in Miami Beach. The tour will include performances at the iconic Radio City Music Hall in New York City on September 5 and The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on October 1.
“I consider this EP to be a very beautiful introduction to me – both sonically and creatively, and how I process things like love, heartbreak, and joy.”
The future is looking very bright for Lekan. The Columbus, Ohio-born singer is just a few days removed from the release of his debut EP So You Know, and in less than three months, he will begin a nine-show run as an opener for Tems on her Born In The Wild World Tour. It’s been a long time coming for the singer who brought his talents to Los Angeles, where he is currently based, with the goal of achieving all his music dreams. So You Know and the Born In The Wild World Tour are the beginning moments on that journey.
Fresh off the release of So You Know, Uproxx caught up with Lekan to discuss his gig as an opener on the Born In The Wild World Tour, his So You Know EP, and more.
What was your first reaction to hearing that you’ll be an opening act for Tems’ Born In The Wild World Tour?
I for sure screamed [laughs]. Outside of that, I was just super grateful because when you getting somewhere, you never really know what that actually looks like. So when you get somewhere to that extent and to that platform, you’re just thankful for never really giving up. I’m just grateful for the opportunity.
What helped you stay patient in the time before your breakout “Need Somebody?” How did you remain confident that your moment was coming?
The work. I knew that the work that I was doing was just eventually going to have to be seen because I wasn’t going to stop. I knew the work that I was putting out was quality, it was just only a matter of time until the world would figure it out. I just kept doubling down on just quality work and it would speak for itself.
What was the moment that you realized things were changing for the better?
It’s really interesting because a lot of stuff that the world is starting to figure out, is something that like I feel like I was showing a long time ago. I’ve always say where it started to really changed for me was when I moved to LA. That was really when it started changing for me. From there, I was just like nothing’s ever gonna be the same. So I just kept making sure [that] I put myself in position to be aligned with like-minded individuals who could see my vision, could see my life, and could prioritize me to help me make this into a thing. It only made it easier because I would just want to run with them.
For the tour with Tems, what are you most excited for and what are you most nervous about?
I’m not nervous. I truly feel like I’m just gonna keep doing what I’ve been doing, if anything, just do at times 10. I have no fear about that because it’s just something that I’ve just been doing. What I’m most excited about is to be able to really see the people, to see the real time interactions with new fans or even just supporters that came out to see me. Seeing what that actually looks like, seeing the actual impact of these records in real time, watching people actually singing along, the experiences that I’m going to have along the way in different environments, and then also sharing that with my childhood best friend who produced the title track who’s gonna be on the right side of the stage with me for every show. That’s what I’m most excited about.
What do you hope fans takeaway from hearing So You Know and seeing you perform from it?
I just want them to be sonically introduced to me. I want them to know that I care about the music, the craft, and the advancement of this of the sound to see how much it can really impact people. I was blessed with a gift to be utilized when it comes down to music, but I just want people to understand that it really also just stems from taking initiative, having faith in something bigger than you, but also yourself. None of this stuff is happening without confidence. So, just take that, run with it, and apply that within their own system.
Bongo ByTheWay is your right-hand man in your career so far, I feel like he’s to you what D’Mile is to Lucky Daye. How did this relationship start and what makes him the perfect collaborator for this point of your career?
It’s really helped, honestly. You can come to the table and then you just see what someone else can also just bring to the table, as well. He’s someone that had accolades and just experience walking into this. For me personally, it was dope to see someone who looked like me, as far as like Nigerian American just out here really making a name for himself. When him and I started to work together, he just affirmed me. He was just one of the first people to really put his arm around me and really be like, “Nah, he’s the one,” and just affirm me, really believe in me, and push me ultimately. He definitely pushed me and got a lot out of me. I’m really grateful, forever indebted to how he just did that off of discernment, honestly. He could have handled it in so many different ways, but he did the right things in handling it. I’m grateful for the relationship that him and I have built.
You once tweeted that you have to listen to Kendrick Lamar’s “The Heart Part 2” and The Kurt Carr Singers’ “For Every Mountain” or your days feel weird. What are some other things that are key to your routine? Especially before a show.
Before a performance, I always got to listen to jazz or Anita Baker — just certain things that keep me in such a very mellow mode. It’s a lot of noise, you just got to be able to find your way to stand firm and find your own little process of things that you need to do to keep you firm within whatever’s going on. Also family, I always gotta talk to a loved one of mine every day. If it’s not all of them, it’s one of them for sure. I have to do that.
What song on this project do you think speaks best to your artistry and the experience can best define you by?
If I had to choose, I would say “Change.” That’s one thing that is solely just me which is something that I wanted to highlight. I felt like it was a very important part of my process for people to understand. I do stuff like that all the time, I have albums-worth of like stuff like that. It was just really important for me to make sure that the world understand the identity, the texture, the intentionality, [and] the care, that stuff takes a lot of time. It might be probably 8/9-hour sessions for just to do that one song. It’s definitely nothing light, it’s definitely not nothing easy. Yeah, I think that something that I would like for the world to really understand like, “Okay wow, this dude’s sound is… he definitely cares about trying to push the sound.”
If there’s one word that could describe the last year for you, what would it be? And what do you hope the next year brings you?
This year, I would say is affirming. It’s been affirming to everything that I’ve always believed, everything that God has always shown me, everything that I’ve always known to be true, which is that I could do anything that I put my mind to through Christ that strengthens me. Every time I gotta circle back bro because I could say that I’ve done everything on my own strength and put myself in position, but there’s a lot of stuff that is just simply based off of His favor and based off of me being faithful to focus on what He was showing me when it didn’t look like it. So, I guess affirming will be this season [and] this year and then next year will be faithful. Just continue to stay faithful to the craft, faithful to the grind, [and] faithful to the goal which is to inspire the masses. What comes with that is just gonna come with that, and it’s gonna be a lot, but I’m only just gonna get stronger to be able to withstand it.
So You Know is out now via At The Studio/ByTheWay/Human Re Sources. Find out more information here.
Tems delivered a beautiful NPR Tiny Desk concert ahead of her Born In The Wild album release on June 7, and it incidentally gave fans a taste for what to expect during Tems’ Born In The Wild World Tour. The Nigerian artist’s first-ever global trek kicked off in London, England, last week, and she most recently staged a show at L’Olympia in Paris, France on Sunday, June 16.
Tems’ Born In The Wild World Tour Setlist
The below setlist is from Tems’ show in London on June 12, as chronicled by fans on setlist.fm.
1. “Higher”
2. “Avoid Things”
3. “Replay”
4. “Damages”
5. “Wickedest”
6. “Turn Me Up”
7. “Burning”
8. “Ice T”
9. “Forever”
10. “Born In The Wild” (Played From Tape)
11. “Boy O Boy”
12. “Found” (Tems Feat. Brent Faiyaz cover)
13. “Unfortunate”
14. “Not An Angel”
15. “Love Me JeJe”
16. “Essence” (Wizkid cover)
17. “Me & U”
18. “Crazy Tings”
19. “Free Mind”
08/22 — Miami Beach, FL @ The Fillmore
08/24 — Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Cafe
08/26 — Dallas, TX @ Gilley’s South Side Ballroom
08/28 — Houston, TX @ 713 Music Hall
08/30 — Atlanta, GA @ Coca-Cola Roxy
09/01 — Washington, DC @ The Anthem
09/03 — Philadelphia, PA @ The Met Philadelphia
09/05 — New York City, NY @ Radio City Music Hall
09/07 — Toronto, ON, Canada @ History
09/08 — Toronto, ON, Canada @ History
09/11 — Boston, MA @ Agganis Arena
09/13 — Montreal, QC, Canada @ L’Olympia
09/15 — Chicago, IL @ Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom
09/17 — Denver, CO @ The Mission Ballroom
09/22 — Vancouver, BC, Canada @ The Queen Elizabeth Theatre
09/25 — Seattle, WA @ Showbox SODO
09/27 — San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield
09/29 — Las Vegas, NV @ The Theatre At Virgin Hotel
10/01 — Los Angeles, CA @ The Greek Theatre
Africa
TBA
Asia
TBA
Australia
11/09 — Melbourne @ Margaret Court Arena
11/12 — Brisbane @ Fortitude Music Hall
11/15 — Sydney @ The Hordern Pavilion
First things first: R&B is not dead. It’s a necessary reminder that’s just as annoying to repeat as it is to hear from the occasional critic of the genre. I mean, when you look at what the genre has delivered in 2024, it’s hard to deny its life. In the first six months of the year, fans saw the return of veteran artists who went years without releasing a full body of work. Bryson Tiller re-emerged with his self-titled fourth album, his best body of work since his 2015 debut. PARTYNEXTDOOR brought back the classic feeling of his mid-2010s music with his own fourth album PARTYNEXTDOOR 4. Finally, after nearly a decade without a project, Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge’s NxWorries finally delivered a new album with Why Lawd? and lawd did they deliver.
On the flip side, there were plenty of newcomers who expanded their fan base with well-crafted debuts and sophomore albums. Normani’s long-awaited debut album Dopamine met all expectations as did Tems’ debut Born In The Wild. Sinéad Harnett, Fana Hues, and Loony were nothing short of captivating and with their outputs and then there’s DJ and producer ESTA. who constructed one of the best compilation of R&B artists we’ve seen over the last few years.
There’s so much to love from R&B so far in 2024, so let’s get into it. Here are the 15 best R&B albums of 2024 so far:
Bryson Tiller — Bryson Tiller
Bryson Tiller
Bryson Tiller told Complex that his self-titled album would “probably be my last one for a minute.” Enduring another Tiller hiatus? Bummer. But Bryson Tiller‘s entrancing 19 songs eased the melancholy — reinforcing Tiller as a reliable rap/R&B reservoir. “Whatever She Wants” led the charge — peaking at No. 5 and No. 19 on Billboard‘s Hot Rap Songs and Hot 100, respectively. Save for excellent Clara La San (“Random Access Memory [RAM]”) and Victoria Monét (“Persuasion”) features, Tiller allows fans precious alone time with his perspective. “Hope you don’t get bored with me over time,” he sings on the ballad “Undertow.” We won’t. — Megan Armstrong
Charlotte Day Wilson — Cyan Blue
Stone Woman Music/XL Recordings LTD
Charlotte Day Wilson’s ‘Cyan Blue’ album cover
The realm of alternative R&B is a playground that Charlotte Day Wilson makes an alluring experience. The soft-voiced Toronto singer woos the ear with seranades sweet enough to bring peace to the mind and body. Her second album Cyan Blue is no different, but it does mark a new chapter for Wilson. The pressures to create a perfect body of work withered away before Cyan Blue and out came a 13-track captivating experience. She waxes poetic about leveling up in love “My Way” and triumphs over her detractors on “Canopy” which is as slick as we’ve heard Wilson. With Cyan Blue, Charlotte Day Wilson breaks free from her own limitations and that of others for an album that is truly free in all the best ways.
ESTA. — Francis
PARADIS
ESTA. ‘Francis’ album cover
For years, producer ESTA. stood behind the boards to help craft some of the better offerings in contemporary R&B. Still, his true vision with the genre had to be put on display until the release of his debut album Francis. Through just ten songs, ESTA. explores the field and widens the boundaries with help from artists who established their chemistry with ESTA. years prior. A funky tunes get kicked into high gear on the DUCKWRTH and Joyce Wrice-assisted “Too Fast.” Kenyon Dixon and Mack Keane excellently capture the emotions and thoughts behind a relationship that’s falling apart on “Outta Space” while Arin Ray captures the initial moments of a magnetizing love on “Controllin.” On each song, ESTA. proves that he’s a master of the soundscape, and by selecting the most talented artist for the moment at hand, Francis strikes as one of the best crafted R&B albums of the year.
Fana Hues — MOTH
Sweet Virtue/Westminster Recordings/Bright Antenna Records
Fana Hues ‘Moth’ album cover
Fana Hues arrived to sir the soul and blow the mind away with her third album Moth. Through 13 songs, Hues emerges as both electric and gracious, ferocious and pristine, in what amounts to a truly otherworldly experience from the Pasadena singer. Look no further than the sassy “Rental” which explodes into a summertime bop wrapped in the confident struts of a singer ready to take on the world. “Sweetlike” opts for a sultry and playful breakdown of two lovers’ dynamic while “What Speaks” unwinds and oozes into a plea for Hues to enter the mind of her partner. Moth is unlike any other R&B project released this year, making for yet another standout moment by the incomparable by Hues.
Jordan Mackampa — Welcome Home, Kid!
AWAL Recordings LTD
Jordan Mackampa ‘Welcome Home, Kid!’ album cover
Four years after his debut album, British-Congolese singer Jordan Mackampa determined that it was time to reintroduce himself to new and old fans. Welcome Home, Kid! brought an unapologetically soulful artist to centerstage with the ability to uplift the mind and boost the heart with just one verse. “Proud Of You” keeps you light on your feet with a giddy dance and “Step By Step” takes you to church with glorious trumpets, lively drums, and the energy that only a family cookout can provide. Welcome Home, Kid! celebrates the moment that things start to make a little more sense. Jordan Mackampa’s second coming as an artist is also the rediscovery of his purpose, something incredibly evident on his sophomore album.
Loony — Loony
LOONY
Loony ‘Loony’ album cover
The first thing that will probably catch your attention about Toronto singer Loony is her silky smooth vocals that always make it a joy to indulge in her music. Her self-titled debut album employs these vocals for a riveting tale of rising out of the perils of failed love and persevering onto the next thing. Loony thrives with deeply honest and self-aware moments like “Too Attached” where Loony admits her inability to exit an inadequate relationship in a timely manner. On the flip side, “A Good Night” wastes no time throwing it all away and disregard the wishes of her partner. Among that, there are still bright moments. “First Thing Smokin’” sweetly sings of an unconditional love while “Tiger Eye” prioritizes the fun of today and disregards the worries of tomorrow. Loony is as fun as it is honest, making for an enjoyable experience we can all relate to.
Normani — Dopamine
RCA Records
Normani ‘Dopamine’ album cover
There were times where it seemed like it would never come, but Normani made 2024 the year to finally release her long-awaited debut album Dopamine. Through 13 songs, Normani makes her debut worth the wait by inducing the same euphoria in her listeners as her album title is known to produce. “Big Boy” with Starrah commands the room with impenetrable confidence as Normani brags about her accolades and Houston roots. “Insomnia,” one of Normani’s best songs, finds her suffocated and restless over heartache. “Take My Time” flashes her versatility with a high-energy dance record while “Tantrums” opts for a dark and gloomy set up. With Dopamine, Normani is free; free to showcase her artistry in its truest and best form, true to live up to and past the artistic standards before, and free to say “I told you so” with a debut that stamped the promising career that awaits her.
NxWorries — Why Lawd?
NxWorries
It took them nearly eight years to get it done, but Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge’s NxWorries finally released their sophomore album Why Lawd?. Where their 2016 debut Yes Lawd! was a celebratory affair dressed in the funky beats and the high spirits of .Paak, Why Lawd? is born out of turmoil and heartbreak. .Paak weathers the storm of lost love with his emotions on his sleeve, remaining brave and confident despite a tear streak down the eye. “FromHere” contemplates the next move follow love’s sudden absence and “Where I Go” acknowledges the ups and downs present in a relationship. “MoveOn” struggles to adjust to change while the brief “DistantSpace” hopes for a final chance despite romance’s departure. Why Lawd? presents that very question in the aftermath of heartbreak, and though it never receives a proper answer, the exploration of it makes for another impressive album from NxWorries.
PARTYNEXTDOOR — PARTYNEXTDOOR 4
Santa Anna/OVO
The PartyNextDoor of old — that is, the one from the mid-2010s — re-emerged thanks to his fourth album, PartyNextDoor 4. The signs for a return to classic days were there thanks to singles like the scornful “Her Old Friends” and the praising “Real Woman.” With PartyNextDoor 4, though the feel is reminiscent of the past, we’re presented with a story of the singer who wants to grow from the man behind the mic on past projects. Genuine strides for authentic love are made on PND’s fourth album, more so than we heard on past bodies of work. Though he slips into a shell of his past on a couple of occasions, the desire and effort to be better makes PartyNextDoor 4 an excellent listen, especially when it houses one of PND’s best-composed songs to date with “No Chill.” — W.O.
Serpentwithfeet — Grip
Serpentwithfeet ‘GRIP’ album cover
With his third album Grip, Serpentwithfeet enters a new era in his career. The ten songs on the album find the Baltimore singer in touch with the more personal sides of his life as the album explores intimacy in romance, whether that be the touch of the hand around in the waist of your partner during a night out at the club as depicted on “Damn Gloves” or the accidental discovery of deep love following the “sixth night of a one-night stand” as Serpent sings on “Deep End.” Grip, just like Serpent did, finds its home in the flashing lights of Black queer nightlife and celebrates the communities within it that made Serpent comfortable enough to express himself. The sensitivity and the attention to detail are among the ingredients that make Grip a captivating listen.
Shaé Universe — Love’s Letter
Shaé Universe
Shaé Universe ‘Love’s Letter’ album cover
Nigerian-British singer Shaé Universe’s second project Love’s Letter is a nostalgic trip to the past meshed with modern influences from today’s R&B world. Inspiration from the likes of India.Arie, Brandy, and Lauryn Hill are hard to ignore through the project’s ten songs, but Shaé makes them her own for a body of work that could indeed stand the test of time. Love’s Letter ponders what it would be like for love to deliver a letter for each phase of your life, and what amounts from it are moments of true love, self-love, and the absence of love. “More Than Enough” is a moving reminder that no love is better than self-love while “LOML” finds Shaé whisked off her feet thanks to the presence of a love like no other. Love’s Letter is one for old-school and new-school R&B fans from an artist certain to be here for a while.
Sinéad Harnett — Boundaries
Sinéad Harnett ‘Boundaries’ album cover
Through a bit of therapy, healing, and reflection came the creation of Sinéad Harnett’s third album Boundaries. The 16-track affair present Harnett at her strongest and most aware as her newfound peace require the utmost protection, which brings to the Boundaries present for Harnett in her life and on this album. “Thinking Less” is both a reflection of heartbreak and a declaration to never accept the bare minimum or less when it comes to love. While “The Most” disposes of an inconsistent love, “Unfamiliar” makes use of Harnett’s newfound wisdom in romance to steer away from a potential relationship riddled with red flags. Boundaries is what the other side of heartbreak is supposed to look like and Sinéad Harnett emerges from it a new woman ready for a new story where she stands stronger than ever.
SiR — Heavy
Tope Dawg Entertainment
SiR ‘Heavy’ album cover
Birthed from a time he calls the “worst year of my life,” SiR’s fourth album Heavy unpacks all the highs and lows of a journey that saw him nearly reach a point of no return in his life. The album’s title track recounts the days where addiction ruled his life. The persistent “I’m Not Perfect” admits to internal flaws while also putting forth the fight to not those flaws control their every move. While Heavy depicts the dark days of SiR’s life, it also captures the brighter days and improvement that found its way to the singer after his period of struggle. The optimistic “Life Is Good,” the self-sufficient “Poetry In Motion,” and the determined “Tryin’ My Hardest” are all evidence of this. In the end, SiR’s Heavy is an emotional, raw, and honest account of picking yourself up at your lowest and getting your life together before it’s too late.
Tems — Born In The Wild
RCA Records
Tems ‘Born In The Wild’ album cover
Three years after her breakout into the mainstream world, Tems’ debut album Born In The Wild arrived as a refreshing tale of how the singer emerged from her shell to become a star. It’s more than a rags-to-riches story. At its conclusion, Born In The Wild is a delightful testimony for the fruits one could bare through faith. Born In The Wild is a balanced affair that captures Tems in as many reflective moments (“Born In The Wild” & “Burning”) as there are joyous and carefree ones (“Wickedest” & “Get It Right”). Furthermore, tales of love like “Unfortunate,” “Forever,” and “Free Fall” are thrown into the pot to make Born In The Wild a complete, excellently crafted debut.
Usher — Coming Home
Gamma/Mega
Usher ‘Coming Home’ album cover
For the last 18 months, Usher thrusted himself into the spotlight to remind music lovers of his legacy. From his eventful and sometimes controversy-producing Las Vegas residency to his 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show, Usher was nothing but a showman looking to entertain and impress the audience. Much of that is the same on Usher’s ninth album Coming Home, which, true to its title, is a return to form for the Atlanta native. Coming Home combines the best of Usher’s sonic landscapes with elements of traditional and contemporary R&B, upbeat pop, and flashy dance records. Coming Home is arguably Usher’s best output in a decade, but at the very least, it proves why he’s been able to thrive in the music industry.
