R&B
SZA Previews New Album S.O.S on Saturday Night Live: Watch
SZA previewed her highly-anticipated sophomore album, S.O.S, while serving as musical guest on the latest episode of Saturday Night Live. She also revealed that the album would be released in less than a week — on Friday, December 9th. The pride and joy of Maplewood, New Jersey, SZA performed the album’s lead single, “Shirt,” and debuted a second song called “Blind.” Additionally, SZA appeared in a sketch opposite host Keke Palmer paying tribute to “Big Boys.” Watch it all below. Advertisement Related Video S.O.S serves as the follow-awaited follow-up to SZA’s debut album, Ctrl, which was released in 2017. Elsewhere on last night’s SNL, Kenan and Kel reunited to parody their beloved Nickelodeon show. [embedded content] [embedded content] [embedded content] [flexi-common-toolbar] [flexi-for...
With Indigo, RM Makes Fleeting Moments Feel Permanent
The album cover of RM’s Indigo includes artwork by Korean artist Yun Hyong-keun, a painter known for meditative, contemplative pieces characterized by splashes of umber and ultramarine. While the contemporary paintings are relatively minimalist, they’re technically complex, and all the more layered considering the artist was a bold, persistent figure who survived one of the most turbulent and traumatic periods in South Korea’s history. The streaming press preview of Indigo included extensive notes on the record; it’s there that Yun Hyong-keun is noted as RM’s favorite painter. RM, who was born Kim Namjoon, is the leader of BTS, the biggest pop group on the planet. He’s also a vocal supporter and passionate collector of contemporary art, particularly interested in elevating work by South Ko...
5 Things to Know About Muni Long, Best New Artist Nominee at 2023 Grammys
Come February 5th, all eyes will be on the controversial Best New Artist category at the 2023 Grammy Awards. Among the 10 artists who received nods is Muni Long, whose song “HRS & HRS” is also nominated for Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song. The singer-songwriter formerly known as Priscilla Renea will be competing against Anitta, Domi & JD Beck, Latto, Omar Apollo, Samara Joy, Måneskin, Tobe Nwigwe, Molly Tuttle and Wet Leg for the Best New Artist award. With over a decade’s worth of experience under her belt, Long’s presence can be heard through some of music’s most recognizable names as a writer and featured artist. As Priscilla Renea, she went on to release two albums before pivoting to her new moniker (pronounced “money long”) in 2019. Advertisement Related Video S...
Irene Cara, Oscar-Winning Singer of “Flashdance” and “Fame” Theme Songs, Dead at 63
Irene Cara, who sang two of the most iconic theme songs in movie history, has passed away at the age of 63. The Oscar-winning singer-actress died in her Florida home on Friday (November 25th), according to her representative, with no cause of death disclosed. “It is with profound sadness that on behalf of her family I announce the passing of Irene Cara,” publicist Judith A. Moose shared on the singer’s social media pages. “The Academy Award winning actress, singer, songwriter and producer passed away in her Florida home. Her cause of death is currently unknown and will be released when information is available…. She was a beautifully gifted soul whose legacy will live forever through her music and films.” Cara is best known for singing the theme songs to the movies Fame (1980) and Flashdan...
serpentwithfeet Shares New Song “The Hands” From The Inspection Soundtrack: Stream
Animal Collective provide the main soundtrack to A24’s upcoming film The Inspection, but serpentwithfeet contributed an original song called “The Hands” as a bonus track to the Baltimore band’s score. Listen to the experimental R&B artist’s new offering below. Written and directed by Elegance Bratton, The Inspection tells the true story of Ellis French, a gay Black man who joined the Marines to support himself when his family wouldn’t. serpentwithfeet took that story to heart when writing “The Hands,” as he explained in a statement. “‘The Hands’ is a devotional song,” the artist said. “By the film’s end, Ellis French has a strong sense of self but doesn’t lose his sensitivity or optimism. I wanted to reflect that lyrically and musically.” In the track, delicate piano giv...
2022 Billboard Live R&B/Hip-Hop: Photos From the Evening
The biggest and brightest stars and executives in the R&B and hip-hop world showed out at Billboard Live: R&B/Hip-Hop on Thursday night (Nov. 17) at Academy LA. Billboard‘s deputy director, R&B/hip-hop Carl Lamarre and executive director, R&B/hip-hop Gail Mitchell started the evening’s festivities by thanking the R&B and hip-hop team, including reporters Neena Rouhani and Heran Mamo, and devoting a moment of silence to Takeoff, PnB Rock, Young Dolph, Pop Smoke, Nipsey Hussle and more rappers who have died in recent years. Future, who currently stars on Billboard‘s cover, presented the Rookie of the Year award to Blxst, who recently came off a sold-out world tour and earned two 2023 Grammy nominations for album of the year with Kendrick Lamar’s Mr. Morale & the Big S...
R Kelly’s Manager Sentenced to 20 Months in Prison for Harassing Victim
R Kelly’s manager, Donnell Russell, was sentenced to 20 months in prison Thursday after pleading guilty to stalking and harassing one of the disgraced singer’s sexual abuse victims. According to the Department of Justice (per Rolling Stone), Russell, 47, used text messages, phone calls, and emails to intimidate one of Kelly’s victims, identified as Jane Doe, and her mother out of coming forward about her experience with the singer. Russell allegedly threatened to release explicit photos of the victim if she did not withdraw her civil suit against Kelly. “Pull the plug or you will be exposed,” he wrote in a text sent on January 3rd, 2019. Russell also posted the photos to a Facebook page he made with an alias called “Surviving Lies” — a play on the 2019 Surviving R Kelly docu...
Beyoncé and JAY-Z Tie for Record for Most Grammy Nominations of All Time
Beyoncé and her husband JAY-Z have independently tied for the new record for most Grammy nominations of all time with a total of 88 nominations. JAY-Z set the previous record last year with 83, and he managed to rack up five more for the 2023 ceremony with three new nods for his scene-stealing verse on DJ Khaled’s “GOD DID,” and two songwriting credits on Beyoncé’s Renaissance. But Beyoncé kept pace with nine nominations, including for Best Dance/Electronic Album and Album of the Year for Rnaissance. Meanwhile, lead single “Break My Soul” got love in Best Dance/Electronic Recording, Song of the Year, and Record of the Year categories, and she also received nominations for Best R&B Performance (“Virgo’s Groove”), Best Traditional R&B Performance (“Plas...
Lionel Richie Performs “Easy” with Dave Grohl at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony: Watch
Lionel Richie was joined by none other than Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl during the former’s performance at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Los Angeles on Saturday (November 5th). The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter kicked off the soulful set with his iconic ballad “Hello” before shuffling into Commodores’ “Easy,” the signature cut from the Motown group he co-founded. With Richie still parked on the piano, Grohl stepped on-stage to deliver the song’s exuberant guitar solo as well as some well-executed riffing with the backing band. Hardly able to contain his visible excitement, the Rock Hall honoree burst from the piano bench to belt the final chorus alongside his stand-in soloist. After sharing mutual bows and hugs, Richie kept the party going with an immediate s...
SZA and Lakeith Stanfield Go on a Crime Spree in New Video for “Shirt”: Watch
At last, SZA has officially released her highly, highly anticipated new single “Shirt,” along with a music video starring an eyepatch-wearing Lakeith Stanfield. In the clip, SZA and Stanfield go on a bloody and violent crime spree clearly inspired by Quentin Tarantino’s films. Initially, the pair seems to be devoted to each other through thick or thin, but after a few successful capers, their bond gets tested. Watch the Dave Meyers-directed video below to find out how their story unfolds. The “Shirt” video marks a reunion between SZA and the Atlanta actor, who previously appeared in the official visualizer for “I Hate You,” which closed out with the message that it was “not the end.” Advertisement Related Video It arrives after SZA addressed rumors that the song was ori...
How to Get Tickets to keshi’s 2023 Tour
keshi is set to follow-up this year’s “Hell / Heaven Tour” with 2023’s “Hell & Back Tour,” and tickets to his return trip are already up for grabs. The Houston multi-instrumentalist was dubbed by Consequence as one of 15 rising artists to watch in 2022 and released his debut album, GABRIEL, in March. Get tickets here, and read on for more details including pre-sale dates. What Is keshi’s Next Tour? keshi still has dates left on his “Hell / Heaven Tour” for 2022, including a November run in Australia and New Zealand as well as a Pacific stretch that stops in Thailand, Singapore, and more. In December, he’ll play shows in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan before wrapping for the year in Honolulu, Hawaii on December 17th and 18th. Advertisement Related Video The tour resumes in Dub...
How to Get Tickets to Mariah Carey’s 2022 Christmas Tour Dates
Mariah Carey took “All I Want for Christmas Is You” to the top of the charts after 25 years, and now her tickets will be snatching the top spot on your holiday wishlist thanks to her upcoming “Merry Christmas to All!” tour. The two-date limited engagement is just the latest gift from the legally-disputed “Queen of Christmas,” who has also delivered an AppleTV+ Christmas special, a remix of “Oh Santa!” with Jennifer Hudson and Ariana Grande, and 12 days of free McDonald’s in recent years. Get tickets here, and read on for more details including pre-sale dates. What Is Mariah Carey’s Next Tour? Mariah Carey’s “Merry Christmas to All!” performances will span two shows across the East Coast as the yuletide season approaches. The holiday tour will launch at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada o...
