With Creole Culture, Dawn Richard completes the musical trilogy that began with 2019’s New Breed and continued with 2021’s Second Line, delivering her first solo album in five years. Inspired by New Orleans’ vibrant musical heritage, the project blends R&B, jazz, electronic dance, soul, reggae and alternative bedroom pop into an eclectic celebration of her cultural roots and personal journey. Standout tracks include “Only Fans,” “Groove City” and “Enough,” which incorporates a subtle nod to Sister Nancy’s classic “Bam Bam.” Rather than relying solely on recognizable references, Richard allows the album’s musical influences to unfold organically, creating a lively, richly layered listening experience best appreciated from beginning to end.

Rising ATL artist Jade Novah returns with “777,” a new R&B single released October 9, 2026, through Let There Be Art Company. Following previous releases “Safe Space” and “90’s Fine,” the singer-songwriter continues her fall-season run with a track centered on transcendent love and music. Novah encouraged fans to “never settle,” teasing an elevated experience that invites listeners to “jump timelines” through her latest musical offering.

New York electronic soul duo LION BABE, comprising singer Jillian Hervey and producer Lucas Goodman (Astro Raw), serve up style and attitude with “Fashion Week,” a playful disco-house track produced by DJ and songwriter Never Dull. Inspired by the confidence of ’90s supermodels, the accompanying video transforms city sidewalks into a runway, capturing the duo’s fashionable energy following appearances at London and New York Fashion Week.

Los Angeles-based rising R&B and pop artist EJ Ross returns with “Honeymoon,” a new introspective single produced by Jay Versace. Showcasing Ross’s smooth vocals and emotionally charged songwriting, the track explores the excitement of new love and the importance of appreciating a relationship rather than taking it for granted. Centered on living in the moment, “Honeymoon” captures the magic and vulnerability of love’s early stages.

The four surviving founding members of The Jackson 5—Jackie, Jermaine, Tito and Marlon Jackson—are coming together for a documentary that will explore their lives and legacy for the first time. Produced by Workerbee, part of Banijay UK, and Paper Route Studios, the untitled 90-minute film will also be available as a three-part documentary series for global release. Mediawan will handle international distribution and begin promoting the project to buyers at Mipcom.  Directed by Benjamin Hirsch, whose previous work includes a documentary on Janet Jackson, the project has been three years in the making and chronicles the group’s rise from Gary, Indiana, to international superstardom, along with its challenges, fractures and eventual reunion. Featuring rare archival footage, previously unseen material and personal recollections, the documentary examines the influence of their father, Joe Jackson, whose demanding training methods helped shape the brothers’ careers, as well as their mother Katherine’s role in the family’s journey. The film will also include the final interview Tito Jackson gave before his death in 2024. Workerbee CEO Rick Murray described The Jackson 5 as one of the most influential musical acts of all time, emphasizing the unprecedented opportunity to hear the brothers tell their story from their own perspectives. Hirsch said working with the family and exploring their extensive archives and musical catalog has been a privilege. Paper Route Studios co-founder Corey Russell also praised the opportunity to document the group’s legacy, while Mediawan Rights executive Benjamin Lepetit highlighted the project’s exploration of family, ambition and music. Banijay Entertainment supported the documentary’s early development through its Creative Fund.

Sean “Diddy” Combs has suffered another legal setback while serving his prison sentence. The music mogul, 56, has reportedly been ordered by a judge to pay NBCUniversal $477,700.50 in attorneys’ fees after the company successfully defended itself against his lawsuit over the documentary Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy. According to court documents obtained by TMZ on Tuesday, October 6, NBCUniversal had initially requested approximately $990,292 in legal fees, but the judge reportedly determined that portions of the billing were excessive and unreasonable. Combs’ representative, Juda Engelmayer, confirmed the ruling to TMZ while emphasizing that the court reduced the company’s request by more than $512,000. Engelmayer said NBCUniversal had sought nearly $1 million and argued that the judge’s decision reflected concerns about the reasonableness of its legal bills. He also pointed out the irony that arguments challenging excessive legal fees were made by a law firm that recently withdrew from representing Combs amid its own billing dispute with the entertainer. Combs, whose fortune has been estimated at $400 million by Celebrity Net Worth, built his wealth through music, record production, fashion and business partnerships. The latest development comes as Combs continues serving a 50-month prison sentence following his conviction on two counts of transportation for prostitution. He is incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution in Fort Dix, New Jersey, and is expected to remain behind bars until at least 2028. Earlier this week, reports also surfaced that Combs had been placed in solitary confinement following scrutiny of his alleged prison privileges and lifestyle. Additionally, President Donald Trump told The New York Times earlier this year that Combs had written him seeking a presidential pardon, but Trump indicated he would not consider granting the request.

Irish-Nigerian singer-songwriter Olorunns returns with “Tie Your Laces,” a tender new single exploring childhood, family and the emotional challenges of leaving home. The London-based artist, who earned widespread attention in 2024 for her viral cover of the Goo Goo Dolls’ “Iris,” delivers heartfelt vocals on the intimate release. Raised in Ireland in a musical Christian household, Olorunns describes the song as a love letter to her parents, reflecting on their bond and the lasting connection they share despite the distance.

Gospel singer-songwriter Lisa Page Brooks returns with her latest single, “HAND ON ME,” a Gospel-Hip-Hop influenced track released through My Block Inc. The song marks her first release since signing with mega-producer Warryn Campbell’s label earlier this year. Written and produced by Campbell and Eric Dawkkins, “HAND ON ME” reflects Brooks’ personal journey through challenges, resilience and faith. The Gospel legend, who has inspired audiences worldwide since the late 1980s, says the song celebrates God’s presence throughout her life.

Future has released the Cole Bennett-directed video for “Build A Bitch,” featuring a stark black-and-white visual in which he uses animatronics to create his ideal woman from pieces of the iconic Rock-afire Explosion. The song appears on The Real Me , Future’s 12th No. 1 album and 17th R&B/Hip-Hop chart-topper.