Rising 17-year-old R&B artist Praxton releases a fresh rendition of the ’90s classic “I Like the Way (The Kissing Game),” showcasing his soulful vocals and modern flair. Released via a major label partnership with Virgin Music, the single marks a major career milestone and highlights Praxton’s potential as a breakout star.

English artist Luke Marzec delivers raw emotion and soul in his new single “Broken Promises.” With raspy vocals and an upbeat groove, the track blends heartbreak and reflection. Lyrically, it offers a cautionary tale on growth and letting go, transforming a love song into a deeper life lesson.

TobySensey’s new EP Reckless explores the emotional highs and lows of love, healing, and self-discovery. Blending Afrofusion, R&B, and alternative soul, the Lagos-born artist draws from his global experiences. With intimate production and honest lyrics, Reckless offers a raw, reflective journey through vulnerability, growth, and the beauty found in imperfection.

Annahstasia drops a music video for “Be Kind,” the opening track of critically-acclaimed debut studio album, Tether. The soulful clip, directed by P. Carter, stars the Los Angeles–based singer-songwriter alongside artist Brighton Alfred.

SZA has responded to Nicki Minaj’s string of online attacks by sharing a screenshot of an alleged text exchange in which Minaj appears to inquire about a potential collaboration. In the screenshot posted by SZA, someone from her team appears to ask on Minaj’s behalf, “Is sza recording right now? Got this hook I think she would be dope on.” Billboard has reached out to Minaj’s camp for comment but has yet to receive a response. Minaj’s public criticism of SZA began earlier this week, after she seemingly interpreted a vague tweet from the singer — “Mercury retrograde .. don’t take the bait lol silly goose” — as a subtweet aimed at her. In a series of now-viral posts on X, Minaj called the “Kill Bill” singer “ugly,” a “liar,” and accused her of trying to mimic her appearance and persona. Minaj also resurfaced an old alleged tweet in which SZA called her a “clown,” mocking the singer’s past comments about her freckles and hair. SZA had initially responded with, “I don’t give a f–k bout none of that weird s–t you popping,” but has otherwise remained largely quiet until now.  As fans speculate about the root of the tension, many point to Minaj’s long-running issues with Top Dawg Entertainment president Terrence “Punch” Henderson, who previously managed SZA. The friction comes just as SZA continues her Grand National Tour with Kendrick Lamar — a trek that recently broke records for highest-grossing co-headline tour in Billboard Boxscore history. The tour heads next to Wales on July 19, following a two-night stint in Paris. Despite the drama, it appears SZA is staying focused on her music, while Minaj shows no signs of backing down.

On this #ThrowbackThursday, we’re celebrating one of the most ethereal ballads ever to top the charts—Minnie Riperton’s timeless 1974 hit “Lovin’ You.” Released as the third single from her Perfect Angel album, the song was a delicate masterpiece co-written with her husband Richard Rudolph and co-produced by none other than Stevie Wonder (credited as “El Toro Negro”). It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on April 5, 1975, becoming a gold-certified smash that enchanted listeners across generations with nothing more than Riperton’s voice, acoustic guitar, and Wonder’s dreamy electric piano. What makes “Lovin’ You” even more special is its intimate origin. Originally a lullaby created to soothe Riperton’s baby daughter Maya Rudolph (yes, that Maya Rudolph), the song evolved into a heartfelt ode to gentle love. If you listen closely to the unedited album version, you’ll hear Minnie softly sing “Maya” as birds chirp in the background—sounds that were accidentally captured during recording and kept because they felt so magical. With no drums or heavy production, the track stands as one of the first No. 1 hits without percussion, highlighting Riperton’s legendary five-octave range and unforgettable whistle register. “Lovin’ You” wasn’t just a hit—it was a cultural moment. It hit No. 2 in the UK, No. 3 on the R&B chart, and has since appeared in everything from The Nutty Professor to Black Mirror. But more than any accolade or placement, it remains a tender, soaring expression of pure emotion. Minnie Riperton (1947 – 1979) passed too soon, but her voice—floating like sunlight through the trees—still reminds us that “Lovin’ you is easy ‘cause you’re beautiful.”

GRAMMY-nominated singer, songwriter, and actress Tamar Braxton is using her platform to tackle more than entertainment. The outspoken performer has partnered with biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences, Inc. in a bold new campaign to raise awareness about HIV prevention—specifically among Black women. The initiative launched at the 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture, where Braxton joined the “Safe & Sexy” panel hosted by the Global Black Economic Forum. During the discussion, which featured Raheem DeVaughn, Dr. Contessa Metcalfe, and Rashad Burgess, Braxton delivered a passionate message urging Black women to put HIV prevention back on the table. “Black women have stopped talking about HIV, and it needs to be part of our conversation again,” she said, emphasizing the silence around the issue and its deadly consequences.  Black women account for over half of all new HIV diagnoses among women in the U.S., despite making up only 13% of the female population—a glaring disparity that drives Braxton’s mission. Through the partnership, she aims to empower Black women to take control of their health by learning about PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and other prevention tools. More information can be found at Healthysexuals.com , and fans can follow Tamar’s advocacy journey on social media @TamarBraxton.

A choreographer and dancer traveling with Beyoncé for her Atlanta tour dates became the victims of a car break-in that resulted in the theft of personal belongings—including thumb drives containing the superstar’s unreleased music. According to an Atlanta police report, the incident occurred while Christopher Grant and Diandre Blue were dining at a restaurant near the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. When they returned to their rented Jeep Wagoneer, they found a window smashed and their suitcases missing. Among the stolen items were laptops, sunglasses, headphones, and five thumb drives reportedly containing unreleased and watermarked Beyoncé tracks, setlists, concert visuals, and show plans. “They have my computers and it’s really, really important information in there,” one of the men told a 911 operator. Grant confirmed to police that he was carrying “personal sensitive information for the musician,” just days before Beyoncé’s four-night run in Atlanta supporting her album Cowboy Carter. Atlanta police say they have identified a suspect and secured an arrest warrant, although no arrest had been made as of Tuesday. Surveillance cameras reportedly captured the incident, and tracking signals from the stolen electronics led police to identify a red 2025 Hyundai Elantra as a possible suspect vehicle. Authorities also recovered two fingerprints from the scene. Officials used the case to remind the public about Atlanta’s high rate of vehicle break-ins, urging residents and visitors alike to avoid leaving valuables in their cars.

Following her single “Too Soon,” rising R&B star Jaz Karis drops “On My Way,” a bass-driven summer track with amapiano influences. Produced by Wilfy D, it blends smooth percussion with Jaz’s soulful vocals. Capturing the thrill of new love, the single builds momentum ahead of her upcoming EP, due this September.