For this week’s Throwback Thursday, we take a trip back to 1989 with Quincy Jones’ “The Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite),” one of the smoothest slow jams ever assembled. Featured on Jones’ legendary Back on the Block album, the song brought together four distinctive R&B voices (Al B. Sure!, James Ingram, El DeBarge and Barry White) for a performance that feels more like a carefully directed scene than a traditional collaboration. The record went on to top the Billboard Black Singles chart for one week in 1990, while also reaching No. 31 on the Hot 100, No. 26 on the Adult Contemporary chart and No. 67 in the U.K. What makes “The Secret Garden” so special is how perfectly each singer fits into Quincy Jones’ musical vision. Barry White opens with that unmistakable deep, commanding baritone, immediately establishing the song’s mature sensuality. Al B. Sure! follows with his silky vocals and youthful New Jack Swing swagger, while James Ingram brings warmth, romance and effortless emotion. El DeBarge then adds his signature tenderness and vulnerability before Barry returns to close things out with those legendary deep vocals. Nobody oversings, nobody competes for the spotlight, and everybody understands the assignment. Jones essentially directed the record like a filmmaker, using each vocalist to represent a different shade of romance and seduction. “The Secret Garden” was written by Jones, Rod Temperton, Siedah Garrett and El DeBarge and produced by Jones as part of Back on the Block, an album that famously brought together jazz, soul, R&B, hip-hop and New Jack Swing. The song remains a quintessential Quiet Storm classic, the kind of record that felt perfectly suited for late-night radio, dim lights and intimate moments. Grown folks definitely remember when this song came on after 10 p.m. It wasn't club music; it was music for setting a mood. More than three decades later, “The Secret Garden” still sounds like a masterclass in vocal chemistry, production and sensual storytelling and a reminder that nobody quite put a record together like Quincy Jones.

Lionel Richie appeared to take a pointed jab at Chris Brown while performing alongside Earth, Wind & Fire during a recent concert. In a viral video circulating online, Richie addressed Brown and Usher’s current joint tour while comparing their collaboration to R&B tours from earlier generations. Referencing his own history with The Commodores and Earth, Wind & Fire, Richie suggested that the pairing of two major R&B stars is not entirely unprecedented. “Only difference is, between then and now, we didn’t go to jail!” he told the audience before appearing to apologize with a smile and continuing his performance. Richie’s comment appeared to reference Brown’s history of legal troubles, including his 2009 felony assault case involving Rihanna. Brown pleaded guilty in that case and received probation and community service. More recently, the singer pleaded guilty to assaulting music producer Abraham Diaw at a London nightclub, adding another legal matter to his history. While Richie did not directly identify Brown when making the remark, the timing of his comments and his discussion of the current Brown-Usher tour led many viewers to interpret the statement as a reference to the singer’s past. The ongoing tour has generated significant attention, with Brown and Usher bringing together two generations of R&B stardom and delivering performances that have sparked widespread discussion online. Their concerts have also drawn headlines for provocative dance routines and interactions with fans. Despite the controversy surrounding Richie’s remarks, the collaboration highlights the enduring influence of both Brown and Usher in contemporary R&B. Richie, who rose to fame as a member of The Commodores before launching a successful solo career, appeared to use his own touring history as the backdrop for a joke that ultimately shifted the spotlight toward Brown’s complicated legal past.

Singer Truth Hurts, born Shari Watson, says she remains $1.7 million in debt to her former record label, Aftermath Records, more than two decades after her hit single “Addictive” became entangled in a major copyright dispute. Watson, 54, discussed the financial fallout during a recent appearance on J. Valentine’s R&B Money Podcast. The Grammy-nominated artist rose to prominence with “Addictive,” which became a Top 10 hit in 2002 and helped establish her as one of R&B’s rising stars. The song, produced by DJ Quik, featured a sample taken from a recording by legendary Indian singer Lata Mangeshkar from the 1981 film Jyoti. Watson explained that the sample had not been properly cleared before the song was released. After “Addictive” became a commercial success, Saregama India Ltd., which controlled the rights to the sampled material, filed a $500 million copyright lawsuit against Aftermath and its parent company, Universal Music Group. Watson said she became concerned that the legal battle could damage her career and ultimately asked Aftermath executives Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine to release her from her recording contract. The $500 million lawsuit was eventually dismissed after the court determined that the Indian chorus used in “Addictive” did not qualify as a religious or spiritual tradition. However, the copyright holders were granted songwriting credits on the track. Watson said she was left with significant financial obligations to Aftermath despite being released from the label. “Addictive” also incorporated cleared material from B.T. Express’ “Do It (‘Til You’re Satisfied)” and the opening line from Rakim’s 1987 classic “Paid in Full.” Although DJ Quik was initially credited as the producer, it was later reported that Dr. Dre was actually responsible for producing the track.

Rising Dallas R&B singer-songwriter and pianist M’Lynn ushers in summer with her new single “Feel It". Written and produced alongside Emile Ghantous, the warm, sun-soaked track captures M’Lynn entering a new chapter and allowing herself to embrace joy. Built around an easy groove, hand claps and soulful vocals, “Feel It” finds the artist letting go of hesitation, opening her heart and finally trusting her feelings.

Atlanta-based R&B and hip-hop singer Bahja Rodriguez returns with her new single “Issue”, through her independent label Beautyful Musica LLC. The former OMG Girlz member delivers a mellow R&B track built around gentle melodies, clean production and intimate vocals. On “Issue,” Rodriguez opens up about unexpectedly falling in love, admitting that although she is normally shy, meeting someone special has made her willing to let her guard down.

Actor and R&B singer Keith D. Robinson returns with his sophomore album, Love Episodic 2: The Algo-Rhythm. The 14-track project explores modern romance through a series of musical “episodes,” blending Robinson’s smooth vocals with contemporary R&B rhythms. The album is preceded by singles including “Forever Bae,” “Different Languages” and “UP,” with the latter already gaining momentum on the charts. Love Episodic 2 continues Robinson’s evolution as both an actor and recording artist.

Boney James teams up with R&B powerhouse Ledisi for the official video for “I Belong To You,” a soulful single from his upcoming 20th studio album, A Simple Man, due October 2 via Concord Records. Produced and directed by Ron T. Young, the intimate visual complements the song’s romantic warmth. The collaboration brings together James’ smooth jazz sensibilities and Ledisi’s commanding vocals, creating a captivating blend of contemporary R&B, soul and jazz that highlights their undeniable chemistry. 

Imani Imani unveils the official video for “On Demand,” a standout single from her critically acclaimed album Papercut. Directed by Keanna Williams and Neal Farmer, the visual opens with Imani working behind a library desk before her attention is captured by a handsome patron checking out a video. As she sings in longing tones, the encounter sparks fantasies of romance and desire. The lustful song also explores heartbreak, reconciliation and second chances, with Imani yearning to reconnect with a lover despite past conflicts.

Duane “Keefe D” Davis has rejected a plea deal ahead of his scheduled trial in the 1996 murder of Tupac Shakur, continuing to maintain that he is innocent. Davis’ decision comes as jury selection is set to begin August 10, 2026, in one of hip-hop’s most closely watched criminal cases. Prosecutors have alleged that Davis was involved in the drive-by shooting that claimed Shakur’s life, but the longtime suspect has repeatedly denied committing any crime. In a recent interview with 8News Now, Davis said he sees no reason to accept a deal that could potentially send him to prison for decades. The 63-year-old cited his age and health issues, including a past battle with cancer and three heart stents, while explaining why he rejected the reported offer. Davis also maintained that other individuals were responsible for the shooting and insisted that he is an innocent man. Shakur was shot multiple times after attending the Mike Tyson-Bruce Seldon heavyweight title fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on September 7, 1996. The rapper remained hospitalized for six days before dying from his injuries at age 25. The case remained unsolved for more than two decades before Davis was arrested in 2023 in connection with the shooting. His upcoming trial is expected to bring renewed attention to one of music history’s most enduring mysteries.