Virginia’s rising chameleon Khi Infinite continues to blur genre lines on “HOUSE,” a standout from his upcoming album CAN I SPEAK?. Blending hip-hop, R&B, and afrobeats, the empowering track reflects on growth and renewal, rejecting the idea that the past defines the future. With seamless vocals that subtly recall Bryson Tiller, Khi Infinite delivers affirming lines about resilience and hope. Clocking in at just over two minutes, “HOUSE” is a concise yet resonant reminder to embrace fresh beginnings and personal evolution.

Singer D4vd is likely to face murder charges in the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, according to TMZ, as a Los Angeles County grand jury continues hearing testimony in the case. Prosecutors are reportedly pushing for an indictment, believing the artist was involved in the teen’s death. Among those who testified earlier this month was D4vd’s manager and record label executive, Robert Morgenroth, who allegedly told jurors he learned that Rivas Hernandez’s decomposing body had been dumped in the trunk of the singer’s Tesla. He was reportedly questioned aggressively about why police were not alerted sooner. Investigators say Rivas Hernandez’s remains were discovered Sept. 8 inside an abandoned Tesla that had been towed from the Hollywood Hills after residents reported a foul odor. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner stated the body was “severely decomposed” and had likely been inside the vehicle for an extended period. The LAPD has declined to comment publicly, with Chief Jim McDonnell saying details are being withheld to avoid jeopardizing the investigation. A court order has also sealed the full autopsy results while the cause of death is still being determined. Rivas Hernandez was 13 when she was reported missing from Lake Elsinore in April 2024. Authorities say she and D4vd knew each other and were in a relationship before her disappearance. While the singer initially cooperated with police, investigators later said he stopped communicating. D4vd has since canceled the remainder of his tour and has not made public statements. The grand jury process is ongoing, with additional witnesses potentially called through February 2026.

Beloved 1970s soul singer and songwriter Don Bryant has died at the age of 83, his family announced Friday, December 26. In a statement shared on Instagram, Bryant’s family said he passed away peacefully and emphasized how deeply he cherished connecting with fans around the world. “Don loved sharing his music and songs with all of you,” the statement read, noting that performing and recording brought him immense joy throughout his life. Bryant was best known for co-writing the 1973 soul classic “I Can’t Stand the Rain,” famously recorded by his wife Ann Peebles. The song became a defining hit of the era and was later praised by John Lennon, who reportedly called it “the best song ever,” according to the Memphis Music Hall of Fame. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, in April 1942, Bryant grew up immersed in music, singing in his father’s vocal group before transitioning into songwriting as a teenager. Over his career, Bryant penned songs for artists such as The 5 Royales and built a respected legacy behind the scenes. After Peebles suffered a stroke in 2012 and stepped away from music, Bryant returned to recording, releasing Don’t Give Up on Love in 2017 and You Make Me Feel in 2020—his first albums in nearly five decades. His late-career resurgence reaffirmed his enduring passion for music and solidified his place as a timeless soul icon.

R&B star and Georgia pastor Montell Jordan has announced he is officially cancer-free following a two-year fight with prostate cancer. Jordan shared the news with fans in an Instagram post and during an Instagram Live, calling the update the “greatest Christmas gift” he could receive. Doctors have confirmed that his cancer is now undetectable after a yearlong medical journey that included the removal of his prostate and extensive follow-up treatment. Jordan first revealed his early-stage prostate cancer diagnosis in January 2024. He underwent surgery to remove his prostate in November of that year, but the cancer returned months later. Since then, the 57-year-old artist has been transparent about his health, documenting the experience for a film titled SUSTAIN. “I am now a 2x cancer survivor,” Jordan wrote, describing the project as a chronicle of both the physical and emotional toll of the fight. During his Instagram Live, he detailed undergoing 37 proton treatments and making significant lifestyle changes, including eliminating sugar, bread, and dairy from his diet. Now feeling strong and grateful, Jordan said his PSA level is 0.01, a result doctors consider undetectable. He has emphasized that sharing his story is about helping others, particularly men facing similar diagnoses. In a September interview with CBS News Atlanta, Jordan noted that one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, with African American men disproportionately affected. He said SUSTAIN is intended to be a resource he wished he had at the start of his journey—one that helps families navigate difficult conversations and decisions while offering hope that the disease is treatable.

Olivia C. Dacal unveils “Lady Love (Omnichord version),” a stripped-back reimagining that spotlights her intimate songwriting and soulful delivery. Blending indie pop and neo-soul with subtle jazz and Latin influences, the Australian artist drifts endlessly as grand chords and airy, slow-burn instrumentation create a hypnotic, late-night feel. The Omnichord-led arrangement allows Olivia’s heartfelt lyrics on love and self-discovery to take center stage, drawing listeners deeper into her genre-defying world.

Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Nija returns with “I Just Called,” a sumptuous new single featuring West Coast standout Blxst. Produced by Jack Rochon, the slow-burning situationship jam captures the pull of unresolved love, as Nija’s smoky alto wrestles with longing and hesitation. Blxst answers as the conflicted partner determined to make things right, their chemistry sealing the track. The release arrives ahead of Nija’s upcoming project, What I Didn’t Say, due January 23, 2026.

Georgia Black steps fully into her power on Rope, a nine-track album that blends jazz, soul, and cinematic flair with striking intention. Released in October via Conjunct Recordings, the North London, UK artist delivers her most personal work yet, weaving jazzy and bluesy tones with dark, alternative R&B textures. Standout tracks like the melodic “Wishing Well,” alongside the gripping “Jaws” and cathartic “Surrender,” anchor a record shaped by love, loss, and rebirth, reframing vulnerability as strength and transformation.

Fridayy delivers an emotional highlight with “Death Do Us Part (The After Party),” episode five from his new EP Everybody Got Somebody. Joined by Mariah The Scientist, the video captures the tension between devotion and temptation, as both artists wrestle with a love that refuses to let go. Mariah’s vulnerable confessions meet Fridayy’s reflective resolve, amplifying the song’s push-and-pull themes. The visual extends the EP’s moody, late-night R&B atmosphere, underscoring Fridayy’s growing emotional depth.

British girl group FLO keeps their 2025 momentum going with the official video for “Recently Deleted,” an energetic throwback R&B ballad. Framed as a special fan-track, the song finds Stella, Jorja, and Renée channeling a more grown narrative, confronting the lingering digital traces of an unforgettable ex. Buoyed by their recent Grammy nomination, the Marlon Cang and Sienna Navaa-directed visual amplifies the song’s emotional punch as FLO signal even more new music ahead.