This Throwback Thursday, we’re diving into Sade’s 1992 classic “No Ordinary Love,” a song that cemented its place as one of the most evocative and meticulously crafted R&B slow burns of the era. Upon release, critics praised its cool sophistication and emotional depth. Billboard’s Larry Flick lauded Sade’s “famously smoky voice” floating over a spare but sensual arrangement, while Entertainment Weekly called it a surge of emotion from music’s “high priestess of understated cool.” Critics across the board, from The Guardian to Music & Media, celebrated the hypnotic beats, languid groove, and subtle guitar flourishes that elevated the track into something both stylish and deeply affecting. Over the decades, “No Ordinary Love” has only grown in stature. Retrospective reviews describe it as intoxicating, intimate, and devastating in its portrayal of elusive love. Albumism praised its haunting intro, while The Guardian called the song a pinnacle of Sade’s opulent sound design on Love Deluxe. Vulture ranked it second among all Sade tracks, noting how it blurs the line between flawless romance and heartbreak, wrapped in deep-sea synths and an almost accusatory guitar. Its worldwide chart success mirrored the acclaim, landing top-20 placements in multiple countries and climbing several U.S. Billboard charts, eventually becoming one of Sade’s most recognizable hits. The song’s legacy continues to resonate through its award wins, iconic music video, and enduring cultural influence. Directed by Sophie Muller, the video’s imagery of Sade as a mermaid-turned-bride searching for a lost love became an unforgettable visual companion to the track’s emotional depth. “No Ordinary Love” went on to earn a Grammy, multiple ASCAP and BMI awards, and spots on prestigious best-of lists from Complex, Spin, Pitchfork, and Rolling Stone. More than thirty years later, the song remains what its title promises—no ordinary love song, but a timeless masterpiece that still captivates the heart.

Boluwatife “Champz” Balogun, the 14-year-old son of Afrobeats icon Wizkid, makes a bold entrance with his debut EP Champion’s Arrival. Released on November 11, the five-track project soared to No. 1 on Apple Music Nigeria within five hours, making him the youngest artist to top the chart. Blending Afrobeats rhythms with UK grime, the EP highlights Champz’s solo confidence and has already charted in over 30 countries with millions of streams.

Funk/Jazz trio Soulive’s “Flowers at Your Feet,” featuring Grammy winner Van Hunt, is a soulful, psych-funk reflection recorded under Iceland’s endless summer light at Flóki Studios. As the trio’s second single from their upcoming album Flowers , the track showcases their telepathic chemistry and rich lineage of influences, elevated by Hunt’s kaleidoscopic vocals. Produced and engineered by Alan Evans, the song honors musical greats while marking Soulive’s powerful return.

Pierre Anthony’s “Love You” arrives as a warm, modern pop-love anthem capturing two people falling deeply for one another. The New York–born soulful vocalist, known for channeling the timeless spirit of 50s, 60s, and 70s R&B, brings the song to life in a beautifully directed music video from his album In My Feelings. Co-directed with Reidge Johannes, the visual highlights tender glances, dreamy romance, and the emotional richness that defines Anthony’s sound.

British singer Nia Smith’s new single “Limit” pairs cool conviction with soulful clarity as she confronts the boundaries of love. Sampling James Blake’s “Limit to Your Love,” the track blends bluesy piano and steady percussion while she questions her partner’s behavior and signals an impending ending. After a year of revisions, Smith says the song speaks for those ready to let go, adding to a breakout year of major performances and her debut EP.

Yemi Alade returns with “Shawa Shawa (Ashawo),” a vibrant and evocative new single that highlights her unmistakable pan-African star power. Featuring fellow Nigerian vocalist Fave, the track is already generating major buzz online thanks to its uplifting energy and irresistible groove. With her Grammy-nominated pedigree and deep cultural roots, Alade delivers another must-add anthem for fans of feel-good, high-spirited music.

Singer D4vd (real name is David Anthony Burke), has been identified as a suspect in the death of a 15-year-old girl whose remains were discovered in a vehicle registered to him, according to an LAPD source with direct knowledge of the investigation. The body of Celeste Rivas Hernandez was found Sept. 8 inside the trunk of a Tesla at a Los Angeles impound lot. Police said the vehicle had been parked for several weeks before it was towed, and the teen may have been deceased for an extended period prior to the discovery. Authorities believe the girl likely died in the spring, and the LAPD source told NBC Los Angeles that Burke has not been cooperative with investigators. The source also suggested Burke may have received help in dismembering and disposing of the body. However, Burke has not been charged with any crime, and the cause and manner of death remain “deferred” as the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner continues its investigation. A spokesman for the singer previously said in September that he was “fully cooperating with authorities,” though his attorneys did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday evening. Celeste Rivas Hernandez had been reported missing from Lake Elsinore, California, and was last seen on April 5, 2024. Because the manner of death has not yet been determined, police said it remains unclear whether any criminal culpability exists beyond the concealment of the body. The LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division continues to investigate, stating it is examining every aspect of the case to uncover the truth and pursue justice for the teen and her family.

Usher has filed a lawsuit against one of his longtime collaborators, producer Bryan-Michael Cox, along with several entertainment industry figures, over a loan tied to a restaurant project in Atlanta that never materialized. According to the lawsuit filed on Nov. 14, Cox (who helped craft some of Usher’s biggest hits, including “U Got It Bad” and “Burn”) approached the singer in 2024 about investing in a restaurant and lounge called Homage ATL. Entertainment lawyer Alcide Honoré and industry officials Keith Thomas and Charles Hughes are also named in the complaint. Court documents reveal that while Usher declined to invest as a partner, he agreed to loan the group $1.7 million, wiring the funds in January with the expectation that they would secure a property for the venue. Months later, when no real estate had been purchased, Usher requested the money be returned. He received $1 million in August but has yet to recover the remaining $700,000. Usher claims Honoré told him repayment was “not that easy” because the funds had been used for “other purposes,” though no explanation has been provided for how the money was spent. Usher is now seeking $4.9 million in damages, representing $700,000 for each claim listed in the filing. The legal dispute comes as the R&B icon continues to expand his ventures outside of music. In a recent conversation with TMZ, Usher hinted at plans for a clothing line and shared that he’d love to see Metallica take the stage at a future Super Bowl halftime show.

RUBII returns with Feeluh, a captivating new EP that cements her place as one of the most exciting voices in contemporary R&B. Blending neo-soul, and alt-pop textures, the UK artist delivers intimate, harmonizing vocals that feel both nostalgic and modern.Feeluhexplores themes of sudden success, growth, and betrayal with grounded, conversational lyricism. Following over 250 million streams, breakout singles like “Twin Flames,” and a buzzworthy Glastonbury performance, RUBII steps boldly into her next chapter with the confident, self-assured lead track “Confidence.”