Here are some artists to add to your music libraries.
(Artists on cover: iyla, KIRBY, Tanerelle)
Last month Diddy took to Twitter to ask a question: "Who killed R&B?" Funny enough, some of Black Twitter as well as his friends in the industry responded that "R&B is not dead" while the rest of Black Twitter used the moment to blame him.
The short answer to this question is: No, R&B is not dead. R&B (or RnB) stands for Rhythm and Blues. This music genre has a few subcategories as well--Alternative, Contemporary, Indie, and Neo-soul. No doubt, the R&B that Diddy is used to are the original rhythm and blues as well as Contemporary R&B. During his peak in the music industry, he had a hand in mixing the sounds of R&B with Hip-Hop which altered how people listened to R&B forever ... in a good way of course.
Diddy believes that today's R&B has lost it's depth, which is not true at all--he just isn't looking in the right places. For him to downplay the genre as a whole is a bit confusing because there are a plethora of R&B artists from each subcategory who have been killing the game--Jazmine Sullivan, Ari Lennox, Masego, Lucky Daye, BJ the Chicago Kid, H.E.R., Cleo Sol, Snoh Aalegra, Jorja Smith, Ella Mai, SIR, Victoria Monet, Nao, Leon Bridges, Mahalia, Tiana Major9, Xavier Omar, Syd, Summer Walker, Mereba, Kelela, Joyce Wrice, Amber Mark, Steve Lacy, James Fauntleroy, Sebastian Mikael, Tink, Nija, FLO, Arin Ray, Sampha the Great, Yebba, Ambré, Gene Noble, Leon Thomas, Kehlani, Jhene Aiko, Kiana Lede, Sinèad Harnett, UMI, Fousheé and the list goes on.
In a debate with Diddy, Mary J. Blige said, "You can’t kill something that’s in our DNA. It’s gonna keep transitioning from generation to generation to generation to generation." With that being said, here is a list of R&B artists you need to add to your playlists if you haven't already (side note: shoutout to my friends that put me on to some of the artists I mention in this post and added to the dope playlist I made for y'all):
1) KIRBY
"Loved by You" artist KIRBY, also known as Kirby Lauryen, is a singer-songwriter from Memphis and raised in Mississippi. Kirby's songwriting career sparked when she challenged herself to write one song a day on YouTube for 275 days. On the 302nd day, she was signed to Roc Nation. She's written for musicians like Beyoncé, Kanye West, Rihanna, and Ariana Grande. Kirby's soulful and therapeutic voice is what makes her live up to her self-proclaimed title, "granddaughter of soul". In the past two years, the talented vocalist has blessed us with her two albums Sis and Sis. He Wasn't the One as well as her singles "Pineapple Cognac", "New D", and "Superpower" featuring D Smoke. KIRBY has an unmatched ability to make you feel the passion and emotion in her melodies which is why she needs to be added to your playlists expeditiously!
2) Phabo
Soulection Records' very own Neo-soul star, Phabo continues to make his mark as an artist and songwriter. He's written for musicians from major record labels such as Atlantic Records and Def Jam and has been featured in songs like "4K" by Duckwrth. Phabo has most definitely mastered the "Merlot Effect" where he's able to make his music sound so sensual and moody regardless of the topic. His debut album Soulquarius--derived from both his zodiac sign and heavy R&B influence--is an eargasmic journey through Phabo's lens where he is being guided by his "Polaris", named after the North Star which is the sky's biggest and brightest star. “Wherever the North star goes, that’s where we're gon’ go,” he says. “Your North Star is really your inner compass—that gut feeling. My gut feeling led me here.” Be on the lookout for his latest EP Before I Let Her Go.
3) Rayvn Lenae
Chicago-native, Rayvn Lenae, is an R&B/Soul singer-songwriter signed to Atlantic Records. Her 2018 EP Crush was the perfect body of work to tease her listeners for her debut album HYPNOS. HYPNOS follows the long tradition of avant-garde Black women, like Erykah Badu with Baduizm and Janelle Monae with Metropolis, using music as an avenue to curate worlds of their own design. The "Computer Love" artist continues to use astrological innuendoes to match her dreamy aura and sound; which is why she's another artist that adds spice to the R&B/Soul atmosphere.
4) Alex Isley
Singer, songwriter, and producer, Alex Isley has done her part in keeping R&B alive for sure. She is the daughter of R&B royalty Ernie Isley, who is one half of the legendary Isley Brothers. Isley has worked with musicians like Scarface, Terrace Martin, Masego, 9th Wonder, Tank and the Bangas, and Lucky Daye. She has also found herself on the soundtrack for the critically-acclaimed show Insecure. From her 2012 debut album Love/Art Memoirs all the way up to her recent body of work, Marigold and song feature "Good & Plenty", she consistently exudes soft and sentimental tones that bring a relaxing R&B feel.
This multidimensional creative has been a pen behind radio hits like "Pressure" by Ari Lennox and more. Jai’Len won BET’s AmpliFIND’s first competition for Indie artists. With over 60,000 votes, Jai’Len beat out over 1000 of the hottest Indie artist Nationwide. Prior to getting into her first love, she debuted on Broadway as Pearl Krabs for the Spongebob Squarepants play. Fastfoward to 2020, she dropped her vibrant EP Illustrations. Jai’Len takes pride in using live instrumentation as a foundation to her music which is a sure-proof secret ingredient that continues to amplify the feelings of R&B/Soul. Here you can watch Josey perform her song "She Got It" live for Showtime Presents: Sounds from The Chi.
Charlotte Day Wilson is a contemporary R&B singer-songwriter from Canada who channels a moving, soulful sound and vintage feel. Charlotte also plays piano, bass, saxophone, guitar, and other instruments on top have already having great vocals. She broke into the scene with her 2017 debut single "Work", which was featured in the show Euphoria, and has been building her presence in the industry since then. In 2020, she released her debut album ALPHA that also consists of the hit single "Take Care of You" featuring Syd.
Feel good R&B artist, Jamilah Barry, is a soulful vocalist from London who has been inspired by the eclectic sounds of UK R&B/Soul, Jazz, Pop and Hip Hop, alongside the Guinean music that is from her family heritage. Those factors, her creative curiosity, thoughtful lyricism, and sonic sophistication are what separates her from her peers in the Alternative R&B/Neo-soul genre. In 2020, Barry dropped her Romance Me EP which explores the different stages of love. This EP is perfect for when you want to mellow out and indulge in a sensual evening of melodies. Watch Jamilah perform her single "Cut Me Open" on A COLORS SHOW.
8) rum.gold
Delonte Drumgold musically known as rum.gold, is a Brooklyn-hailed singer-songwriter from the Washington DC. His sound is heavily influenced by major Indie R&B and Jazz artists like Lauryn Hill, Brandy, Usher, Louie Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, and Chet Baker. The artist has a distinct voice with genre-defying sound and has released two EPs so far, yaRn and aiMless, as well as his first album as an independent artist Thicker Than Water which dropped last year. In his freshman album, he explores the competing definitions of family and belonging he’s experienced throughout his life, ranging from his biological family to the friends--or chosen family. On songs like “Follow the Light” and "'Human", he sings of a redemptive love in his delicate falsetto. Yet the title track finds him internally battling with the ways he hasn’t always felt loved by his family in the same way. Just like his life, his music feels like a tug-of-war between who he was, who he became, and who he is now. Fortunately for rum.gold, there is victory in being brave enough to find the answers. Watch him perform his single "Fix Me" live here.
9) Tanerelle
Tanerelle (pronounced tuh-nair-ree-elle), also known as "Mama Saturn", is an independent artist born and raised in Atlanta Georgia. Her seductive voice over alternative beats has the ability to take her listeners on an ecstasy-filled journey. Her aesthetic captures the influence of 1970s disco queen, Donna Summer, with an added astrological element. Her instagram captures her intergalactic aesthetic and leaves all of her followers feeling infatuated with her creativity. Her 2020 single “Nothing Without You” made it onto the season 3 soundtrack of HBO’s Insecure and was also given consideration for a 2021 Grammy nomination. She was also named Playboy’s December 2020 Playmate making history as the 40th African-American Playmate. Mama Saturn's latest EP 82 Moons is a modern sultry body of work that is sure to capture your attention.
10) James Vickery
South London's James Vickery is the new face of UK R&B. Despite being born deaf in his left ear, he has continued to woo listeners with his undeniable voice and completely unique take on R&B. His early career consisted of participating in various television musical competition shows, including The X Factor and Open Mic UK. Vickery's hugely popular "Until Morning" performance on A COLORS SHOW amassed over 22 million views and caught the attention of many admirers internationally, subsequently leading to him inking record and publishing deals with LA-based TH3RD BRAIN and RocNation respectively. It's no doubt that James Vickery is a soulful character that needs to be kept up with in the R&B realm.
11) DIXSON
Singer, songwriter, and producer Darius Scott musically known as DIXSON, is a jack of all trades as he plays 11 instruments and is recognized for his extraordinary work as a producer and vocal arranger behind the scenes. DIXSON stepped into the national spotlight in 2016 joining Pharrell Williams’ team on NBC’s The Voice. During his time on The Voice, he arranged all of his songs and earned an impressive spot in the Top 20. He also built a strong relationship with Pharrell, who also shares the same passion for producing. Since his exit from the show, DIXSON has collaborated with major artists like Pharrell, Beyoncé, Vic Mensa, Chika, Justin Bieber, Yebba, Kirk Franklin and more. He even produced almost half of Chance the Rapper's studio album The Big Day. With that being said, I think it's fair to say that the Atlanta, Georgia native has been a major impact in the R&B space. He's released singles like "KREAM" and "CHERRY SORBET" featuring Seven Streeter. "KREAM" is also a part of his first album as a solo artist called DARLING which dropped last year. “DARLING is a project that I dedicated specifically to the women in my life,” he told Rated R&B. “My mother, my girl, my aunt (who we buried literally the day the project came out), my sister (who passed away during the process of making it). I’m from the South, so ‘darling’ is a term that we use out of love.”
12) iyla
A young singer-songwriter and activist from Los Angelos, iyla has proved to have an exceptional artistic vision and sound. With the assistance of her partner and producer Kadis, she is able to express her authentic self beautifully. At her core iyla is a soulful R&B artist with apparent pop and jazz influences. In her single "Strings" she is even able to seamlessly display the transitions between her melodic voice and unique rap skills. Her breakthrough EP War + Raindrops became her claim to fame, especially with the visuals for "Juice" accumulating over 2 million views in just 4 months. Visually, she is heavily inspired by Missy Elliot, Hype Williams, and KFA Twigs. They inspire her to be innovative and classic in everything that she does. Get a taste of her artistic vision and sound by watching the music video for her song "Cash Rules" featuring Method Man from her debut album OTHER WAYS TO VENT.
13) Mack Keane
Based on his family background, it's safe to say that Mack Keane was born with music and artistry in his blood. He is the son of veteran producer and songwriter Tom Keane and actress/singer Paula Mulcahy, as well as the grandson of Del-Fi Records founder Bob Keane. His father, Tom Keane, actually co-wrote the profound hit "Through the Wire" from Kanye West's The College Dropout album. Being raised in a creative environment and surrounded by his parents' record collection, it was easy for Keane to consume the sounds of classic soul and R&B. He has been influenced by contemporary artists like Donna Hathaway, Earth, Wind, & Fire, and Stevie Wonder to D'Angelo, Outkast, Pharrell Williams, and Frank Ocean. Now Mack Keane makes lyrical Neo-soul R&B-infused pop music that is rich and infectious. He continues to combine his influences and authentic sound into timeless songs that are vivid and bring you back to relatable moments. Be sure to check out his debut collaborative EP with ESTA that dropped earlier this year, called Intersections, which includes the melodic slow jam "O.M.L" featuring DESTIN CONRAD.
14) Kenyon Dixon
Kenyon Dixon is a multifaceted artist who has collaborated with major artists like Justin Timberlake, Tyrese, Ginuwine, Tank, Nick Jonas, Kelly Rowland, 2 Chainz, Usher, Kirk Franklin, Jill Scott, Pharell, Kanye West, and many more. He is an R&B artist, vocalist, songwriter, producer, vocal producer, vocal arranger, and anything else you could think of that relates to music. Kenyon, who also goes by R&B Kenny, was born and raised in Walts, California to parents who were both singers and has been releasing music since 2011. His recent singles "Toxic" and "Marvin Gaye" are what caught my attention and his Sam Cooke tribute "Bring it on Home to Me" with BJ the Chicago Kid, PJ Morton, and Charlie BeReal is what kept me hooked. The collaborative single was also nominated for a Grammy. With his impressive musical resumé, Kenyon Dixon is definitely an artist to keep an eye and ear out for.
15) SIPHO.
SIPHO (pronounced see-poe) is a singer-songwriter with the vocal power to capture your attention and heal souls from the very first note. His hearty music defies genre and boxes, with influences from rock and blues to gospel and R&B. The Birmingham, UK-based artist was born to Zimbabwean parents and adopted a love for music at a very young age. By the age of 8 he had already taught himself to play the guitar. After he finished school, he applied to the BIMM Institute Birmingham to study songwriting and caught the ear of British indie label Dirty Hit where he eventually signed a record deal. His influences include Frank Ocean, Solange, Earl Sweatshirt, Moses Sumney, and James Blake amongst many others. As he writes, produces, and records everything himself, SIPHO commits to challenging the perception of artistry and creativity as a black man. The two songs at the heart of the EP, MOONLIGHT PT. 1 + 2, explore the different facets of young black men. SIPHO demonstrates how "as much as black boys can be forward, aggressive and ostentatious, we can also sit down, reflect, think about things and be vulnerable and honest like everyone else. I can be more than one thing." Watch his breathtaking performance of his single "OCCASION" on A COLORS SHOW and be sure to listen to his most recent album SHE MIGHT BLEED.
Check out the links below to experience my self-curated playlist of artists who are keeping R&B/Soul alive:
Comments