NEW SINGLES —————————
Ahead of his upcoming album Distracted, arriving April 3 via Brainfeeder,Thundercathas shared the new single "ThunderWave"featuringWILLOW. The track follows earlier releases including collaborations withMac Miller,Lil Yachty, andFlying Lotus. Built around Thundercat’s hypnotic bass groove and shimmering synths, the hazy R&B duet also features jarmonies and guitar licks from WILLOW. Co-written with pop producerGreg Kurstin, the song blends falsetto harmonies and splashy textures into a dreamy, playful collaboration.
Award-winning Kenyan singer-songwriter Njerae has kicked off the year with her new single "Ingia Ndani", produced by acclaimed hitmaker Hendrick Sam. Known for her soulful Afro-Indie sound, Njerae delivers a warm and intimate anthem about emotional vulnerability and inviting love in. The track, whose Swahili title translates to “come inside,” blends catchy melodies with heartfelt storytelling. It follows her 2023 EP Four Letter Word and arrives ahead of Njerae's upcoming Australian tour, reinforcing her rising global presence.
NEW ALBUM
Rising R&B singer Pimmie has released her debut album Don’t Come Home via OVO Sound, the label founded by Drake. Dropping March 6, the 10-track project introduces the Houston artist’s smooth vocals and candid songwriting, highlighting her emotional range across modern R&B production. Led by the single "Bet", the album blends vulnerability with quiet confidence. Pimmie first gained attention with an interlude on Some Sexy Songs 4 U , the collaborative project from Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR that dropped last year.
PREMIERING NOW
While touring North America on the Boys 4 Life Tour with Bow Wow and B2K, Omarion continues building momentum with the music video for 'Fantasy'. The mid-tempo R&B track previews his upcoming album O2 , the conceptual follow-up to O . Blending atmospheric production, sensual lyrics, and polished choreography, the Kimata-directed visual highlights Omarion’s signature vocals and dance-driven style while introducing the artistic direction of his next musical era.
Breakout British R&B artist kwndelivers a dreamy visual for her single "hopeless romantic". Directed byChris Chance, the one-take video moves through surreal scenes featuring cowboys, a mariachi band, and a pickup filled with flowers. The track follows the success of her recent EPwith all due respectand collaborations withFLOandKehlani, signaling that 2026 could be a defining year for the rising star.
NOW PLAYING ———————————————————————
Jorja Smith, the English singer-songwriter from Walsall, West Midlands, reconnects with producer and rapper Havoc on this “Blue Lights” remix, a sequel to her 2016 debut single. A self-described “forever fan,” Havoc builds the beat and delivers two verses, highlighting their natural chemistry after Jorja’s appearance on Mobb Deep’s 2025 album The Infinite . Jorja floats over the track, telling a vivid story about the pressure facing young people while keeping her smooth, soulful sound.
Ghanaian-American artist MOLIY teams up with the Berlin-via-London collective bees & honey for the new single PARTYGYAL. The Afro-house track is built for the dancefloor, blending a weightless beat with MOLIY’s bright, cherubic vocals to capture the energy of a late-night party. Following the momentum of viral hit "Body Go" with Tyla and fan favorite BACKIE, the song feels like a vivid night out on the town.
London-raised R&B singer-songwriter Ama returns with Need It Bad, a sensual R&B single featuring Brent Faiyaz. Blending atmospheric production with slow-burning emotion, the track explores longing and the ache of deeply needing someone. Ama’s confident, feminine delivery contrasts with Faiyaz’s raw conversational style, creating palpable chemistry. Directed by Micaiah Carter, the video places both artists in a desert mansion, moving separately through shared spaces until their tension-filled reunion. The release further defines Ama’s bold new era following her debut album I Came Home Late .
Cypress Hill make a powerful return with 'Wacha Trucha' , a fiery collaboration with Mexican rap star Alemán. Produced by DJ Flict, the track blends classic West Coast hip-hop with modern Mexican rap while honoring the group’s Latino roots. As B-Real explained, the Spanish-language anthem celebrates culture, resilience, and unity. Directed by Sergio de Avila, the video amplifies its urgent message (stay alert, stand together, and protect community) positioning the song as both a cultural homecoming and rallying cry for Latin rap’s moment.
Midwest singer/songwriter Yebba returns with her deeply personal second album Jean , released through RCA Records and arriving five years after her acclaimed debut Dawn . Executive produced alongside John Rooney, the album was crafted over several years across Arkansas, Dallas, and New York’s Electric Lady Studios. The project captures what Yebba calls her “adulting years,” a time shaped by healing, uncertainty, and personal liberation. Lead single "Yellow Eyes" introduces the album’s reflective tone, balancing nostalgia and acceptance. Rooted in gospel conviction while weaving in Delta blues, folk, country, and indie textures, Jea n reveals Yebba at her most intimate, grounded, and creatively free.
Less than three weeks after surprising fans with the Valentine’s Day release of her single “More Than a Lover,” R&B icon Mary J. Blige has unveiled the song’s official music video. Directed by Nico Scandiffio and filmed at the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, the visual captures Blige passionately singing about the man who has remained by her side through it all. Produced by Camper, the soulful track finds the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul basking in a deep, transcendent romance built on loyalty and unwavering devotion.
Ty Dolla $ign has released his new EP Girl Music Vol. 1 via Atlantic Records, delivering a collection of R&B tracks inspired by music women love. The project features standout songs like “3 Billion” and “Bad B*tch Alert,” plus collaborations with Ronald Isley, Brandy, and Leon Thomas. Ty says the idea began during a dinner in New York and represents a natural return to his classic R&B sound.
Rising R&B artist TheARTI$t kicks off 2026 with her new single “Shut It Down,” an upbeat yet sensual track that highlights her smooth delivery and magnetic sound. Known for crafting intimate, warm music, she leans into soft melodies and polished production to capture confidence, chemistry, and living in the moment. The feel-good record reflects her evolving artistry while reinforcing her signature style of creating soulful songs that linger long after the music fades.
Nigerian singer/songwriter Ayra Starr has unveiled her new single “Where Do We Go,” produced by ILYA. The Afro-electronic track showcases her deeper, expressive vocals while exploring the thrill of a late-night encounter mixed with introspective questions about what comes next. Starr says the song was long a personal favorite she and her friends played while getting ready. It marks her first solo release since “Who’s That Girl” with Rema and follows a breakthrough year.
West-coast rapper/producer Baby Keem has unveiled the music video for “Good Flirts,” a standout single from his sophomore album Ca$ino. The mellow, slow-burning track features rising singer Momo Boyd, whose smooth vocals anchor the song before a much-anticipated verse from Kendrick Lamar. The visual follows Keem traveling through different locations by bus and was created in collaboration with photographer Renell Medrano and creative collective pgLang.
GloRilla’s recent public clash with her sister Victoria “Scar Face” Woods has ignited a familiar and uncomfortable conversation about fame, family, and financial obligation. Since breaking out in 2022 with “F.N.F. (Let’s Go)” and quickly ascending to mainstream success with charting singles, awards, and a top-five debut album, the Memphis rapper has become one of hip-hop’s fastest-rising stars. But with that success has come an expectation that she must now serve as the financial backbone of an extended family, a burden that too often gets placed on the first person to “make it” out of difficult circumstances. Scar Face’s claims that GloRilla has abandoned family members in need tap into a narrative that success equals permanent responsibility. Yet the evidence suggests a far more complicated reality. GloRilla has publicly shown moments of generosity toward her parents and loved ones, and other family members have stepped forward to defend her support over the years. Her response (including sharing a message of appreciation from her mother and urging her sister to seek employment) may have felt blunt, but it underscored a necessary point: providing help does not mean surrendering one’s autonomy or becoming an endless source of cash for anyone who asks.
Released in 1989, "Here and Now" became one of the most beloved ballads by Luther Vandross. Featured on his compilation album The Best of Luther Vandross... The Best of Love, the song was written by David L. Elliott, Terry Steele, and Charles “Casino” White. The heartfelt track resonated with audiences, topping the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart and reaching No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100—marking Vandross’ first Top 10 hit on the mainstream chart. Driven by Vandross’ smooth lead vocals and lush instrumentation, the track featured contributions from acclaimed musicians including Nat Adderley Jr. on keyboards and Marcus Miller as producer, along with background vocals from artists such as Cissy Houston and Lisa Fischer. Critics described the record as a dreamy, sensual ballad that stayed true to Vandross’ signature romantic soul style while continuing to build his reputation as one of R&B’s finest vocalists. The song’s success earned Vandross his first Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance in 1991 and helped cement its legacy as a wedding and love-song classic. Vandross performed it on The Oprah Winfrey Show and during a memorable wedding scene on 227. Over the years, the ballad has been honored with covers by artists like Patti LaBelle and Richard Elliot, proving that its heartfelt message continues to resonate decades later.
British/Nigerian singer-songwriter 9DAYS returns with African Girls Do Cry (Deluxe), a fearless project that fuses intimate lyricism with sleek contemporary production, reaffirming her artistry as both bold and deeply personal. While the deluxe edition preserves the emotional core of her debut, it introduces three new tracks (“Poison Ivy,” “Can I Be Loved?” and “Under Yellow”) that broaden the album’s narrative and sonic scope. Blending introspective songwriting with polished production, these additions sit seamlessly alongside standout originals like “Vida” and the title track. Throughout the album, 9DAYS strikes a careful balance between confessional storytelling and richly textured arrangements. Her smooth, expressive vocals glide over subtle yet engaging instrumentals, creating a sound that feels both modern and emotionally grounded. The new songs add layers of resilience and reflection, exploring themes of identity, love, and self-discovery with notable maturity. Each performance carries warmth and immediacy, drawing listeners into a space that feels personal and sincere. More than an extension of the original, African Girls Do Cry (Deluxe) stands as a compelling statement of 9DAYS’ artistic evolution. The album unfolds with natural cohesion, pairing infectious hooks with quieter, contemplative moments to shape a fluid listening experience. Introspective, empowering, and endlessly replayable, it highlights her growing ability to merge heart, craftsmanship, and authenticity into a body of work that resonates long after the final track. Standout Tracks: “African Girls Do Cry”, “Feels Like Home”, & “Can I Be Loved?” Rating: 8.5/10 - Joy Nkirote
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Snoop Dogg has officially signed on to star in director Eli Roth’s upcoming horror film, marking a new chapter in their longtime creative partnership.
The Detroit Pistons announced last month an expanded partnership with multi-platinum recording artist and Detroit native Big Sean, naming him the franchise’s Creative Director of Global Experience.
THE DROP ZONE ———————————————————————
Rising Memphis rapper Fresco Trey kicks off 2026 with “Hope,” an uplifting, melodic single that builds on his reputation for introspective, relatable rhymes. Following the grassroots momentum of his last project Meraki (Deluxe) , the track delivers a powerful reminder that “your story isn’t over,” encouraging resilience in uncertain times. Blending lived experience with sharp storytelling, Trey offers a heartfelt anthem that urges listeners to hold onto light and keep writing their own endings.
Four-time Grammy nominee RAYE returns with “Nightingale Lane,” an emotionally charged ballad and the second release from her forthcoming album This Music May Contain Hope, arriving March 27 via Human Re Sources. Moving forward, Raye is set to perform at the BRIT Awards later this month, where she’s nominated for Song of the Year and Best Pop Act, fueled by her global smash “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!” RAYE is currently on a sold-out European tour and will join Bruno Mars for 27 North American stadium dates.
Alt-R&B duo threetwenty (comprised of Nigerian-American singer-songwriter Ivana Nwokike and Swedish producer Filip Hunter) unveil a striking visual for “undo/redo” from their radiant 10-track project separate from the noise . Directed by New Century Sound and Tamiym Cader, the video mirrors the songs’ meditation on time as both enemy and opportunity. Nwokike’s elastic vocals glide from regret to resolve, culminating in a hopeful refrain: you still have time to undo, redo.
Nigerian newcomer Lyrxx introduces himself with Mystery Rider , a seven-track debut EP packed with melody, heartfelt storytelling, and main-character energy. Exploring love, fantasy, disappointment, faith, and optimism, Lyrxx crafts songs meant to resonate for years. From the romantic pursuit of “OAU Fine Girl” to the hopeful devotion of “Honeymoon in Paris” and spiritually grounded “Safer,” the project captures life’s emotional highs and lows with passion, realism, and vulnerability.
Neo-soul icon Jill Scott returns in striking form with the official video for “Pressha,” another standout from her 2026 album To Whom This May Concern . Set in a dimly lit lounge and directed with moody elegance, the cinematic clip finds Scott confronting a former flame who loved her privately but denied her publicly. Cameos from Niecy Nash, Tasha Smith, and Tyler Lepley heighten the drama, as fans applaud its emotional depth and stunning visuals.
Longtime Bay-area rapper LaRussell continues pushing his artistry forward with his 14-track album Something’s In The Water, executive produced by Grammy winner Lil Jon. Featuring appearances from Marshawn Lynch, Kalan.FrFr, and MALACHI, the project marks his 42nd LP and first release with Roc Nation Distribution. Following his historic Super Bowl LX Tailgate Concert performance, the Vallejo multihyphenate channels that momentum into a fresh, high-energy body of work that honors Bay Area rap’s legacy while carving out his own impactful lane.
Atlanta’s rising R&B voice Lee Vasi returns with her first single of 2026, “Worthy,” a soulful anthem rooted in healing, faith, and self-respect. Known for blending emotional honesty with spiritual depth, she delivers a powerful reminder to choose peace over confusion and recognize one’s value through God’s love. The release follows her nomination at the NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding New Artist, underscoring her growing impact and deepening connection with listeners drawn to her authenticity and message of personal growth.
Milwaukee rapper/singer Lakeyah returns powerfully with her new single “HERSKIII,” launching her first era as an independent artist under a distribution deal with Human Re Sources. The track embodies creative freedom, confidence, and fearless energy, showcasing Lakeyah at her most self assured and unapologetic. Over a raw, hard hitting beat, she delivers sharp bars and commanding flow, creating a playful yet dominant anthem that signals full control, bold ambition, and a defining new chapter ahead.
Rising singer-songwriter Ron E joins forces with Tink for the official video to their standout single “The G.O.A.T.,” featured on his debut album Let Me Explain . Produced by Grammy winner Hitmaka and directed by WAM in Miami, the sultry visual complements the track’s hypnotic melodies and sensual lyricism. The collaboration highlights Ron E’s emergence as a compelling new R&B voice, blending timeless soul with modern polish.