R&B
Frank Ocean Launches Luxury Goods Company Homer with Jewelry Line
Frank Ocean has announced the launch of his new luxury goods company Homer. Inspired by his “childhood obsessions” and “heritage as fantasy,” Ocean’s first Homer collection will include both fine and high jewelry pieces as well as a number of printed silk scarves. Handcrafted in Italy and designed at Homer’s headquarters in New York City, the jewelry will be crafted from lab-grown American diamonds, 18K gold, recycled silver, and hand-painted enamel. The company’s first and only NYC-based jewelry store is set to open this coming Monday, August 9th, but expect access to be highly exclusive and personalized. The only way to shop the collection is by making an appointment on Homer’s website, though some walk-up appointments will also be available. Advertisement Related Video Ocean’s launch al...
Jorja Smith Is Feeling “All of This” on New Single: Stream
It’s never been up for debate whether or not Jorja Smith has an incredible voice. She made that much obvious on Lost and Found. But on her brand new single “All of This,” which sees her teaming up with producer GuiltyBeatz, the R&B singer branches into minimal electronica and sounds like she could be the next opener for Radiohead. Stream it below. Over staccato drum taps and a restless shaker, Jorja Smith sings about falling in love, being stung by lies, and navigating a path forward after having her heart broken on the single. In the background, a slink synth beat plays on loop and some deep bass notes ring out in the softest way possible. If we didn’t know better, it would be tempting to wonder if Thom Yorke produced “All of This” considering how minimal yet groovy it is, like someth...
The Weeknd Shares New Single “Take My Breath”: Stream
After days of teasing, The Weeknd unveiled his new single “Take My Breath” today via XO/Roc Nation Records. Stream it below. The R&B artist first hinted at the track on Monday night, when it was used during a promo for the Olympics featuring U.S. track and field stars Dalilah Muhammad, Athing Mu, Sydney McLaughlin, and Gabby Thomas. “8.6.21 new single…#tokyoolympics,” he captioned the post on his Instagram along with a gold medal emoji. In the snippet The Weeknd can be heard crooning the track’s demanding chorus over a propulsive cascade of synths. Since then, the singer has flooded his feed with cryptic images of himself wearing a blinged-out oxygen mask to hype up the song’s release. Advertisement Related Video The song is set to be included on The Weeknd’s upcoming fifth album The D...
Aaliyah’s Albums Coming to Streaming Services Beginning August 20th
For several years now, Aaliyah’s uncle Barry Hankerson has promised that the late R&B pop star’s music would finally be uploaded to streaming services. This time, it’s actually going to happen. In an interview with Billboard, Hankerson revealed that all of Aaliyah’s music will be available on Spotify, Apple Music, and the like starting on August 20th. Technically, fans have had access to Aaliyah’s 1994 debut album Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number and a few early singles for a while now. But the majority of her catalog, including 1996’s One in a Million and 2001’s self-titled album, have been unavailable to stream this whole time. According to Hankerson, who owned the original Blackground Records and the majority of Aaliyah’s masters aside from her debut LP, that decision was in accordanc...
Lizzo Returning Next Week with “Rumors,” Her First New Song in Two Years
Lizzo is kicking off a new era next week with “Rumors,” her first new song in two years. It’s due out Friday, August 13th via Atlantic Records. “Rumors” marks Lizzo’s first new material since linking up with Charli XCX on “Blame It on Your Love” in May 2019. One month prior, the Minnesota rapper and singer dropped Cuz I Love You, one of the best albums released that year. The breakout project contains her massive No. 1 hit, “Truth Hurts,” as well as the popular singles “Good As Hell” and “Juice.” It also propelled Lizzo to Grammy wins for Best Pop Solo Performance, Best Traditional R&B Performance, and Best Urban Contemporary Album. Now that touring has resumed again, fans can catch Lizzo making appearances at festivals like Bonnaroo, where she will become the first ever...
The Weeknd Teases New Album with “The Dawn is Coming” Video: Watch
The Weeknd’s Abel Tesfaye has shared a two-minute preview of his new album The Dawn. Entitled “The Dawn Is Coming,” the teaser clip includes an animated visual. Check it out below. In a new interview with GQ, The Weeknd described The Dawn as “the album I’ve always wanted to make.” GQ writer Mark Anthony Green further described The Weeknd’s new music as “packed with party records. Like real-deal, illuminated-white-tiles-on-the-floor party records. Quincy Jones meets Giorgio Moroder meets the best-night-of-your-fucking-life party records. Not anachronistic disco stuff. (Not ‘cosplay,’ as Abel put it.) That sort of retro thing is having a moment right now in pop music, but these records are new. Sweaty. Hard. Drenched-suit, grinding-on-the-girl/boy-of-your-dreams party records.” Advertisement...
Song of the Week: Silk Sonic’s Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak “Skate” Through With a Summertime Jam
Song of the Week breaks down and talks about the song we just can’t get out of our head each week. Find these songs and more on our Spotify Top Songs playlist. For our favorite new songs from emerging artists, check out our Spotify New Sounds playlist. This week, the dynamic duo Silk Sonic returns with a summery sophomore single. It feels like forever since March, when Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars teamed up to create Silk Sonic and dropped the sultry debut smash “Leave The Door Open.” We’ve been long overdue for more music from the disco-drenched duo, but the result is worth the wait: Silk Sonic has finally returned with “Skate,” another flashy, ’70s jam. Impossibly more upbeat than “Leave The Door Open,” “Skate” is a euphoric groove with an absolutely unstoppable string section. Anticipa...
Silk Sonic’s Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak Unveil New Song “Skate”: Stream
Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak have unleashed a new Silk Sonic single. Entitled “Skate,” the duo’s sophomore release is a certifiable summertime jam. Watch the song’s accompanying video, co-directed by Mars, below. “Me and the team was thinking about what if we were performing in the middle of a roller rink, what would that baseline be doing? What would the guitar be doing? What would the drums be talking about? And I wanted to play congas and that’s what you get,” Mars said in an interview with Apple Music. “You get a song called ‘Skate.’ Talking about I’m trying to float. I’m trying to glide.” The group’s debut single, “Leave the Door Open,” earned the title of Song of the Week upon its release in March. They later performed the song live at the Grammys, iHeartRadio Music Awards, and BET ...
Post Malone Announces Return of Posty Fest in 2021
Posty Fest is returning for another go-round. Today, Post Malone announced his third annual festival will be held October 30th and 31st in Arlington, Texas. This year’s Posty Fest is set to take place entirely outdoors outside of AT&T Stadium, and marks the return of the event after taking last year off due to the coronavirus pandemic. “Posty Fest 2021 is happening! Presale tomorrow 10am CT. You can use code PF21 for access. Public on sale is Friday July 30th at 10am CT. The festival will be 2 days this year & completely outdoors:) love you guys. we’re so happy to be back,” the rapper wrote to share the news on Twitter and Instagram. (Tickets will be available for purchase via the official Posty Fest website.) Advertisement Related Video In past years, Posty Fest has featured headl...
Arlo Parks Tests Positive for COVID-19
Arlo Parks has tested positive for COVID-19. The UK singer-songwriter and former Artist of the Month said she found out this morning and has been quarantining at home ever since. Parks took to Twitter this morning to break the news, allegedly right after she got her results. “Despite being as careful as possible, I’m writing to let you know that I tested positive for COVID-19 this morning,” she wrote. “As recommended, I’m now stuck in isolation, sniffling in bed, feeling very upset to have let all you angels down.” “This weekend had three shows in store: a Norwich outstore show, Latitude, and Standon Calling — I had butterflies in my tummy weeks in advance just picturing what it would be like to see your faces again,” she continued. “I’m so sorry to everybody who was looking forward to see...
Whitney Houston’s Hologram Headed for Las Vegas Residency
Death is no obstacle when there’s money to be made, which is how we arrived at “An Evening With Whitney: The Whitney Houston Hologram Concert,” a new residency at Harrah’s Las Vegas. Whether she would have wanted to or not, Houston will be looking to dance with somebody for six months starting October 26th. The late singer’s estate has been pursuing this lucrative likeness since 2019. They even launched a truncated tour in COVID-plagued 2020, though the planned US leg never came to pass. This Vegas residency will feature “all the hits,” and see a very Houston-like simulacrum performing with backup singers, background dancers, and a live four-piece band. Responses have ranged from ‘why not’ to ‘what the hell,’ but Pat Houston, Whitney’s sister-in-law, former manager, and current manager of ...
Normani and Cardi B Join Forces on New Song “Wild Side”: Stream
Normani has enlisted Cardi B for her new single, titled “Wild Side.” Watch the Tanu Muino-directed music video, choreographed by Sean Bankhead, below. “Wild Side” is Normani’s first solo single since 2019’s “Motivation,” which netted the Fifth Harmony member a Platinum plaque. She first teased a snippet of the track on social media back in February. In a statement, Normani spoke about teaming with Cardi for their first musical collaboration. “I had already been in rehearsal for about three weeks preparing for the video when Cardi heard the record for the first time,” she recalled. “She really showed up for me and brought this record to life by simply doing what Cardi does best. I lovethat woman down and I’m forever grateful.” Advertisement Related Video On her Instagram story, Cardi gushed...
