One of the music industry’s most obvious masters at the game of making connections, Swedish R&B singer Snoh Aalegra has been steadily growing her profile for years, delivering standout features with artists like dvsn, Giveon and Alicia Keys and finally being signed to Roc Nation just last year – not to mention being praised extensively … Continue reading Snoh Aalegra – TEMPORARY HIGHS IN THE VIOLET SKIES
R&B Reviews
H.E.R. – Back Of My Mind
Already having picked up multiple Grammys and even a 2020 Oscar before releasing her proper debut album, R&B songstress H.E.R. has now firmly moved past her mysterious phase of relative anonymity and swiftly into the public eye. Breaking out onto the scene with soaring and melismatic soul ballads, in recent years she has been drifting … Continue reading H.E.R. – Back Of My Mind
DJ Khaled – KHALED KHALED
The walking, talking meme and motivational speaker with the keys to success is back with what is surprisingly his twelfth studio album – the man has been making hits since 2007 and shows no signs of slowing down, online derision aside. Once again hilariously “executive produced” by not only his two infant sons, but also … Continue reading DJ Khaled – KHALED KHALED
ILOVEMAKONNEN – My Parade
Seven years removed from his OVO-assisted smash hit “Tuesday,” ILOVEMAKONNEN’s career has been turbulent to say the least. Ever since, he has been bouncing around between labels, telling a couple shady stories of their behind-the-scenes dealings and ultimately going independent for the first time with his latest project, My Parade – which is technically his … Continue reading ILOVEMAKONNEN – My Parade
Rod Wave – SoulFly
One of the new kings of streaming, 21-year-old Florida singer and rapper Rod Wave is fully capitalizing on his rapid rise to prominence and has released what is now his third studio album in just under a year and a half. While his earlier works saw him placing a heavy focus on emotional storytelling, often … Continue reading Rod Wave – SoulFly
Giveon – When It’s All Said And Done … Take Time
California R&B artist Giveon is just another massive benefactor of the all-powerful Drake stimulus, rising rapidly to prominence after the then-unknown was featured on a single from the 6 God’s Dark Lane Demo Tapes early last year. Now with a Grammy nomination under his belt, he has combined his first two EPs into a full-length … Continue reading Giveon – When It’s All Said And Done … Take Time
Various Artists – Judas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album
This might be a music blog, but we’re deep into Oscar season – and a star-studded soundtrack from one of the year’s frontrunning films has broken into the public consciousness in a big way. Curated by all-star hip-hop producer Hit-Boy, a wide array of rap and R&B’s young rising stars and absolute legends come together … Continue reading Various Artists – Judas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album
Arlo Parks – Collapsed In Sunbeams
20-year-old singer-songwriter and poet Arlo Parks has been attracting critical attention in her home country of the UK for a couple years now, and she’s managed to bring that energy across the Atlantic just in time for her debut studio album. With a deeply soulful sound drawing influences from funk and jazz yet recorded in … Continue reading Arlo Parks – Collapsed In Sunbeams
ZAYN – Nobody Is Listening
Perhaps returning with a title that’s a little too on the nose, the most elusive former member of OneDirection’s third studio album is here. Famously averse to the public eye and seemingly perfectly fine with not achieving the same level of success as some of his other former bandmates, ZAYN has been busy living an … Continue reading ZAYN – Nobody Is Listening
Jazmine Sullivan – Heaux Tales
Back for the first time since 2015’s Reality Show album, esteemed R&B vocalist Jazmine Sullivan has returned with what is essentially a concept EP. Featuring eight tracks that stir up a wide range of important discussions regarding society’s attitude towards women owning their sexuality and the emotional implications of walking that complicated tightrope between displaying … Continue reading Jazmine Sullivan – Heaux Tales
Ben's Beat - Music Reviews 