Ledisi has scored her first award from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The Grammy winner’s 2011 single “Pieces of Me” is now certified gold. It has sold over 500,000 equivalent units. Ledisi co-wrote the empowering anthem with the song’s producers, Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony, who are also known as Louis York. In […] The post Ledisi Earns Her First-Ever RIAA Certification With ‘Pieces of Me’ appeared first […]

Syleena Johnson’s final solo album, Legacy, is dedicated to her late father and soul singer Syl Johnson.  Her father, who has made Billboard-charting hits like “Is It Because I’m Black” and “Different Strokes,” makes an appearance on every song on the 16-track offering via sampling. Legacy includes the singles “Monsters in the Closet,” “Black Balloon” featuring Syl […] The post Syleena Johnson Tributes Late Father on Final Album ‘Legacy’ appeared first on […]

After declaring a final album nearly a decade ago, Tyrese returns with Beautiful Pain on his label Voltron Recordz in partnership with Create Music Group. The independently released double album consists of 17 tracks, including the previously shared singles “Love Transaction,” “Don’t Think You Ever Loved,” featuring Lenny Kravitz and Le’Andria Johnson, and the most recent […] The post Tyrese Releases New Album ‘Beautiful Pain’ appeared first on Rated R&B.

R&B trio FLO has announced their anxiously-awaited debut album, Access All Areas, releases Nov. 15 via Island Records. “Access All Areas is a labour of love. To us it represents our growth and dedication to making girl group history, to making a project we are truly proud to call our debut album,” FLO says of […] The post FLO Announces Debut Album ‘Access All Areas,’ Shares New Song ‘Bending My […]

Musical genius Stevie Wonder has released his new song “Can We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart.” The hopeful acoustic guitar, delicate drums and hushed piano set the backdrop for Wonder’s call for unity in these polarized times. “We’ve been floating alone in a dark and bitter cold / ‘Cause there’s a growing ocean of lies […] The post Stevie Wonder Asks ‘Can We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart’ on New […]

Marques Houston has released his new album The Best Worst Year Ever via Phoenix Music Group.  The 14-track offering includes the singles “Last Drop,” “Admit It” and “Cowgirl.”  Regarding the latter track, Houston tells Rated R&B, “‘Cowgirl’ is one of my favorite tracks on the album. You can’t have an R&B record without a classic. The entire […] The post Marques Houston Recounts ‘The Best Worst Year Ever’ on New Album: Stream […]

Maxwell stopped by NPR‘s headquarters in Washington, D.C., to perform for its Tiny Desk Concert series.   The legendary singer performed a delightful 30-minute set of some of his signature songs. Dressed in a sheer white shirt with embroidered star patterns, matching white pants and a gold chain necklace, Maxwell opened with “Sumthin’ Sumthin'” from […] The post Maxwell Performs Classics for NPR’s ‘Tiny Desk Concert’ Series appeared first on […]

Chxrry22 doesn’t let a failed relationship get the best of her on her new song, “Poppin Out (Mistakes).” On the fiery track, produced by Believve and DaHeala, Chxrry22 declares: “Cryin’ over n****s ain’t allowed / Being a heart broke b***h is outta style.”  Instead, she keeps her head high and hits the town with some […] The post Chxrry22 Shares Post-Breakup Anthem ‘Poppin Out (Mistakes)’ appeared first on Rated R&B.

Eric Benét has returned with his new project, Duets, via his label JBR Creative Group. The EP features five duets with women in R&B, including Chanté Moore, Corinne Bailey Rae, LaTocha, Ledisi and Tamar Braxton. Duets opens with “So Distracted” with Moore. The sweet-sounding track is about being so enthralled by a lover that it’s hard to […] The post Eric Benét Releases ‘Duets’ EP appeared first on Rated R&B.