Cecily Wilborn returns with her powerful new 17-track album Soul Therapy, out now and filled with stories of healing, resilience, and personal growth. The Arkansas native blends Southern soul, R&B, and country influences while drawing inspiration from her own life experiences and those around her. The album features a guest appearance from Cupid on the upbeat collaboration “Feeling Lucky.” Other standout tracks include the heartfelt “I Need Your Love” and the inspiring anthem “Hope,” showcasing Wilborn’s emotional depth and authenticity.

Jasmine Kiara delivers smooth late-night vibes on her sultry new single “Famous for You.” The Toronto, Ontario native blends soulful vocals with seductive R&B energy as she details the many ways she would shower a potential partner with affection and admiration. Throughout the track, Jasmine paints a picture of uplifting love so powerful it could make someone feel celebrated and adored, perfectly tying into the song’s title. “Famous for You” highlights her growing presence as a rising voice in contemporary R&B and soul music.

Candiace Dillard Bassett is entering a new musical era with collaborative remixes of her emotional R&B single “If Only…,” featuring Tamar Braxton and Darrel Walls. The remix collection, titled “The Conversation,” draws from Dillard Bassett’s personal dating experiences and explores love, vulnerability, and emotional honesty. Veteran R&B singer Braxton’s involvement is especially meaningful, as Dillard Bassett considers her both a mentor and empowering big-sister figure.

Canadian pop superstar Nelly Furtado teams with Toronto-based producer and songwriter Boi-1da for “Electric Circus,” the electrifying first single from the Canada Soccer Foundation’s Perfect Pitch album. Directed by Stacey Lee Ottman and ZALE, the vibrant visual captures the song’s nostalgic Y2K spirit and festival-ready energy. Known for his name being a play on “Boy Wonder,” Boi-1da delivers booming production that perfectly complements Furtado’s captivating vocals, helping the track land on the Billboard Canada Airplay charts.

Chicago R&B singer-songwriter Ravyn Lenae returns with the vibrant new single “Handle,” accompanied by a visual directed by Andre Muir and released alongside the announcement of her third album, Blue Island . The “Handle” video matches the song’s explosive ’80s-inspired power-pop energy, blending thunderous drum claps, soaring guitar melodies, and sharp-edged riffs. Drawing comparisons to Prince, Madonna, and Cyndi Lauper, the track still leaves Lenae’s captivating voice firmly at center stage.

Latto sounds both fearless and fulfilled on Big Mama, her 17-track fourth studio album and follow-up to 2024’s Sugar Honey Ice Tea. Initially described as a “retirement” project before Latto later walked the comment back and attributed it to postpartum depression, the album captures the Atlanta rapper embracing motherhood, love, and personal growth while still delivering the fiery attitude and brash lyricism that built her reputation. Much of Big Mama centers around Latto’s now-confirmed relationship with 21 Savage, who appears on the standout track “Hostage.” But the project also celebrates the couple’s first child together, a theme introduced when Latto revealed her pregnancy in the video for “Business & Personal (Intro),” where 21 Savage cradled her baby bump as she rapped about having “a kid on the way.” The album artwork, featuring Latto holding a baby cheetah, cleverly references both her signature cheetah-print aesthetic and her transition into motherhood. Despite its deeply personal themes, Big Mama never loses its commercial edge. Latto balances emotional vulnerability with catchy hooks, luxury-laced flexes, and unapologetic sexuality across a stacked guest list that includes Sexyy Red on “Need Luv 2,” GloRilla on the high-energy “GOMF,” and Mariah the Scientist on the sensual “Make Me.” While some listeners may focus on lingering rap feuds and subtle shots aimed at rivals, including a possible jab at Cardi B on the title track, those moments ultimately feel secondary to the album’s larger emotional core. Some of the project’s strongest moments arrive when Latto lets her guard down. On “Daddy’s Girl,” which samples Aaliyah’s “Never Comin’ Back,” she reflects on family and her relationship with her father, celebrates her mother and newfound motherhood on the groovy "Mama", while “Fallin” reveals a softer, more emotionally exposed side of the rapper rarely heard in earlier releases. Even with motherhood reshaping her priorities, Latto still raps with hunger, charisma, and confidence throughout the album. If Big Mama does end up marking the start of a hiatus, she leaves listeners with proof that the Queen of ClayCo remains as dynamic and compelling as ever.  Favorite tracks: "Okayy", "Daddy's Girl Interlude", "Anxious" & "Hostage" Rating: 8.0 - Simon P. Williams

Several performers have pulled out of the upcoming Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., just days after being announced as part of the event’s entertainment lineup. Organized by Freedom 250, a group backed by President Donald Trump and tasked with helping plan America’s semiquincentennial celebrations, the fair is scheduled to take place on the National Mall from June 25 through July 10. The organization promoted the event as a patriotic celebration featuring major musical acts performing throughout the fair’s run. The original lineup included artists such as Martina McBride, C+C Music Factory, Vanilla Ice, Milli Vanilli, Young MC, The Commodores, Morris Day and The Time, Flo Rida, and Bret Michaels. However, within hours of the announcement, several acts publicly distanced themselves from the fair. Morris Day & The Time announced on social media that they would not participate, while Young MC said he withdrew after learning of the event’s political affiliations, stating he hoped to return to Washington for a less politically charged appearance. Martina McBride, The Commodores, and Bret Michaels later confirmed their own departures, with Michaels claiming the event had become “much more divisive” than originally presented and revealing he had already received threats over his involvement.  Confusion also surrounded the participation of C+C Music Factory and Milli Vanilli. Freedom Williams, known for his work with C+C Music Factory, said he instructed his representatives to remove him from the event after learning about it online. Meanwhile, singers associated with Milli Vanilli clarified that they were not part of the scheduled performance and described the advertised act as a tribute group with no connection to their original recordings. Despite the backlash and multiple cancellations, Fab Morvan later confirmed he still intends to appear at the Great American State Fair, saying his goal is to “entertain and unite people, not divide them.”

This Throwback Thursday shines a spotlight on Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock and their timeless 1988 anthem “It Takes Two,” a song widely regarded as one of the greatest hip-hop singles ever recorded. Released through Profile Records, the track became a top-40 hit and earned platinum certification from the RIAA, helping push hip-hop further into mainstream radio, dance clubs, and pop culture. Built around the legendary “Think” break from Lyn Collins’ 1972 classic “Think (About It),” the song’s explosive energy and unforgettable hook (sung by in-house Profile Records singer Rhonda Parris) made it an instant party staple that continues to resonate across generations. Music critics and fans alike have long celebrated the record’s influence and staying power. AllMusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine famously noted that many consider “It Takes Two” the greatest hip-hop single ever made, while Spin ranked it No. 1 on its 1989 list of the “100 Greatest Singles of All Time.” Decades later, Rolling Stone placed the song at No. 116 on its “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” list in 2021. The track’s influence has stretched far beyond hip-hop, inspiring samples and interpolations from artists like Black Eyed Peas and the dance-pop trio Seduction. The celebration of the classic hit comes with sadness this year following the death of Rob Base, who died Friday, May 22, after a private battle with cancer. He was 59. Alongside DJ E-Z Rock, Base helped create one of the most recognizable and influential songs in hip-hop history, a record whose booming beats, infectious chants, and undeniable groove still ignite dance floors nearly four decades later. Though DJ E-Z Rock passed away in 2014, the duo’s legacy lives on every time “It Takes Two” blasts through speakers and reminds listeners why the golden era of hip-hop remains unmatched.

Longtime rapper Rapsody delivers uplifting energy in the “Please Don’t Cry (Brazil)” official music video, directed by Anthony Wolf Orendorff. Serving as both a celebration of love and a visual recap tied to her critically acclaimed fourth studio album, Please Don’t Cry , the video captures the vibrant atmosphere of her performances and travels through Brazil. Highlighting stops in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro during her international tour run, the visual reflects Rapsody’s message of positivity, connection, and appreciation for her global fanbase.