Ssaru feat. Bensoul - "Mastingo"

Kenyan rapper, singer, and songwriter Ssaru continues to push boundaries with her new single “Mastingo,”featuring Bensoul. Produced byVic Westand directed by Ben 47, the track blends Ssaru’s fierce Swahili and genge bars with Bensoul’s smooth vocals, capturing the vibe of a weekend rendezvous with the catchy hook, “Leo niko na Mastingo.”Since debuting in 2019, Ssaru remains one of Kenya’s most dynamic and fearless musical voices.

By Status Ain't Hood Staff November 12, 2025
Teddy Riley, the Grammy-winning producer and pioneering architect of the new jack swing sound, is officially reviving one of R&B’s most influential groups, but with a modern twist. According to You Know I Got Soul, Riley has announced the launch of Guy 2.0 , a reimagined version of the legendary group Guy that will not feature its original members, Aaron Hall and Damion Hall. Instead, the updated trio will include Fred “Ljai” Robinson (formerly of Profyle), J Stylz (previously of BS2), and solo R&B artist Ray Lavender, who was once signed to Geffen Records. The announcement came directly from the group’s social media pages, where Riley and the new members confirmed both the lineup and the group’s new direction. “Greetings IG! We are GUY 2.0!! Follow us on our mission!!” the post read, adding that fans can expect to see the revamped act perform live as part of the upcoming Teddy Riley Xperience. The move mirrors Riley’s earlier revival of his other acclaimed group, Blackstreet, which he reintroduced as BS2 about a decade ago.  Originally formed in 1987 by Riley, Aaron Hall, and Timmy Gatling (with Damion Hall later joining), Guy became a cornerstone of late-’80s and early-’90s R&B with classics like “Groove Me,” “Teddy’s Jam,” and “Let’s Chill.” Their first two albums went platinum, cementing the group’s role in shaping the new jack swing era, a fusion of R&B, hip-hop, and pop that transformed the genre. While the original lineup has reunited for tours and special performances over the years, Guy 2.0 marks a bold new chapter, blending the group’s rich legacy with a new generation of voices.
By Status Ain't Hood Staff November 12, 2025
The countdown to music’s biggest night is officially on. The 2026 GRAMMY Awards will take place Sunday, Feb. 1, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, broadcasting live on the CBS Television Network and streaming on Paramount+. Fans can also relive highlights and exclusive moments from the ceremony all year long at live.GRAMMY.com . Following the nomination announcements on Nov. 7, social media erupted with excitement as both fans and nominees celebrated the news. Artists immediately flooded platforms with emotional thank-you messages, teary-eyed videos, and exuberant all-caps posts. First-time nominees like Alex Warren and KATSEYE captured their disbelief in real time, while returning favorites such as Laufey , Kehlani , and Summer Walker marked another major milestone in their GRAMMY journeys. Best New Artist contenders The Marías , sombr , and Leon Thomas joined the celebration, sharing heartfelt messages and behind-the-scenes clips. Across genres, the energy was contagious. Zara Larsson , nominated for Best Dance Pop Recording, posted a selfie with the caption, “B— I’m a Grammy nominated artist!!!!!!” while Addison Rae celebrated her Best New Artist nod by tagging the Recording Academy in her Instagram story. Rising international stars like ROSÉ , Trueno , Nicki Nicole , and Malice also shared their joy on social media. Meanwhile, the rock world buzzed as YUNGBLUD —a first-time nominee with three nods for Best Rock Album, Best Rock Song, and Best Rock Performance—watched the nominations livestream in stunned disbelief. Over in R&B, Kehlani and Summer Walker expressed heartfelt gratitude, with Walker posting her unfiltered, hilarious reaction video for fans to enjoy.
By Status Ain't Hood Staff November 12, 2025
Jorja Smith bares her soul in the acoustic visual for “With You,” a tender exploration of love, trust, and emotional distance. The Walsall-born singer delivers raw vulnerability as she questions the state of a fading relationship, her soothing vocals floating over delicate guitar melodies. With its stripped-down production and heartfelt lyrics, the video highlights Smith’s signature blend of honesty and elegance.
By Status Ain't Hood Staff November 12, 2025
Keri Hilson delivers a sultry and emotional visual for “Again,” the latest single from her album We Need to Talk: Drama.Blending heartfelt lyrics about a toxic love cycle with a nostalgic sample of Splack Pack’s 1993 hit “Scrub the Ground,” the track comes alive through Hilson’s soulful delivery and Mr. Hanky’s slick production. StarringBeauty in Blackactor Shannon Wallace, the video perfectly captures love’s addictive back-and-forth.
By Status Ain't Hood Staff November 12, 2025
Canadian R&B singer-songwriter Savannah Ré returns with her heartfelt new single “Hold You,” produced by her husband YogiTheProducer . The soulful track celebrates intimacy, gratitude, and the comfort of genuine love. Ré describes it as a tribute to appreciating a partner’s care and safety. It marks her first release since her 2024 album Formed.
By Status Ain't Hood Staff November 12, 2025
Rising Providence-born singer-songwriter Storm Ford delivers soul and vulnerability on her new EP Down Payment , released October 24. Spanning eight tracks, including standouts like “Crutch on Me,” “Trying,” and “Step Back,” the project explores themes of love, loss, and self-discovery. Blending raw emotion with smooth R&B production, Down Payment showcases Ford’s growth, authenticity, and captivating storytelling throughout its 23-minute runtime.
By Status Ain't Hood Staff November 7, 2025
Philadelphia-born, London-based artist ELUNIA releases her poignant new single “Strobe Lights,” a cinematic indie-electronic reflection on burnout, identity, and self-reconnection. Written amid the pressures of London’s recent post-production grind, the song captures the numbness of depression through ambient textures and soft electronic pulses. ELUNIA’s introspective lyrics (like the haunting line “what happened to that girl on the train?”) illuminate fleeting moments of clarity amid exhaustion and change.
By Status Ain't Hood Staff November 7, 2025
R&B vet Christopher Williams makes a powerful return with his new single “Good Enough,” which dropped November 7 via Virgin Music Group. Sampling Cherrelle’s 1988 hit “Everything I Miss at Home,” the smooth mid-tempo track showcases Williams’ refined vocals and timeless soul, setting the tone for his upcoming album War and Peace.
By Status Ain't Hood Staff November 7, 2025
Chicago-born, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter BJRNCK unveils her debut EP A Girl Like Mevia Geffen Records, a soulful, twelve-track journey through love, heartbreak, and self-discovery. Blending Caribbean rhythms with gospel roots, BJRNCK channels influences like Brandy and Usher into moody, melodic R&B. With standout tracks like “Good 4 Me” and “Missing You,” the project’s raw honesty and sensual emotion cement her as one of today’s most compelling new voices.
By Status Ain't Hood Staff November 7, 2025
South Korean rapper-singer-songwriter CAMO returns with her haunting new single and visual “Secret (비밀),” from her 7-track EP Secret. The minimalist R&B track thrives on mood and whispered seduction, while the cinematic video portrays raw stories of abuse, betrayal, and self-discovery. Interwoven through symbolic phone lines, CAMO offers solace through her confessions, echoing her mission to connect directly with fans and comfort those carrying their own secrets.
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