We finally get a second to breathe after the stacked back-to-back R&B releases in June. We’re five days into July and R&B is still coming out on top.
Ballad and Durand Bernarr finally link up to put all these hot takes about the men of R&B to rest. Kenyon Dixon shares a new single before he takes The R&B You Love out on the road. Nia Smith is choosing to be appropriately selfish for the betterment of her, first and foremost. Teedra Moses is getting sentimental. Natanya is flexing her production skills with a new, uptempo jam. Rising star AVERY is blending a few different genres that you’ll fall in love with, and R&B veterans, Coko, K-Ci, and LaTocha Scott are all reminding the masses of where real R&B stems from.
Ready to get into these new musical offerings? Check out VIBE’s top new R&B picks below.
Ballad, Durand Bernarr – “Alone Again”
“I’ve lived with this song for so long. Now it’s your turn,” Ballad said as he released the long-awaited duet he’s been hiding with a vocalist beyond his time, Durand Bernarr.
It’s sick how well the tones complement one another on the ballad for real lovers. “The secret is out. Yes, I put crack in this song,” Ballad joked on Twitter/X. “Hear me out, we needed to let you know that the men of R&B are still giving what they’re supposed to give.”
This is the type of record you throw on during those lonely, late nights when you’re desiring someone who isn’t there. Maybe this is the one to summon them back.
Nia Smith – “Personal”
Nia Smith’s “Personal” is one of the best records we’ve discovered this week. “[I] made this song with people I love,” Nia explained in a statement. “It’s about letting go of that bad energy, period. Nothing personal but you’ve got to do what’s best for you.”
The Jimmy Napes & Ed Thomas-produced song’s simple concept oozes emotional maturity over an infectious melody, making you just want to sway along and get lost in your own imagination. “Personal” is just the beginning of what’s to come from this blossoming songbird and we’re here for it.
Kenyon Dixon – “Far Away”
“Summer doesn’t start until I drop new music,” Kenyon Dixon teased ahead of his new single, “Far Away.” The upbeat jam is more of a groovy love song as he sings of escaping from life with the one he loves.
“Baby, just take me away/ Give me a reason to stay/ Sometimes I wanna escape (So far)/ Don’t care the time or the place […] We groove from morning ’til late/ Who’s keeping track anyway?” the crooner says on the outro. If people want to make 9 a.m. R&B parties a thing, then make sure this one stays in the rotation.
Teedra Moses feat. J BLACK – “WITH ALL MY HEART (ACOUSTIC)”
Though Teedra Moses’ “Be Your Girl” remains an R&B staple, the singer is back with a new ballad. “WITH ALL MY HEART (ACOUSTIC)” is a heart-wrenching ballad that stings of regret and anger.
“Should’ve never made me fall in love/ When you you knew you’d never love me back,” she sings. “Should’ve never played with my heart/ Should’ve never took me up/ When you knew you’d let me down.” For anyone who’s gotten played and wound up heartbroken, this is your new anthem.
Natanya – “boombox”
Natanya is a budding London-based singer-songwriter with a sense of futurism, which can be heard on her latest single, “boombox.”
On the bop, she flexes her self-taught production skills as she sings over a pulsating beat. Natanya details the story of waiting for her crush to acknowledge her existence, despite her blatant attempts at getting their attention. “Sick of sending all my many calls to your phone/ But it would haunt me more if I didn’t let you know/ That we were all I dreamed for,” she sings in the second verse.
Truthfully, in the realm of R&B/pop, the best part of the song is that she never says the word “boombox” and at first listen, you’d think it’s called “back home.” It reminded us of Ginuwine’s “Differences.”
AVERY – “US”
Allow us to introduce AVERY, an indie Toronto-based artist, who is merging her Afro-Caribbean roots with the worlds of R&B and jazz. With her latest single, “US,” best believe she’s got a new listener out of us—no pun intended.
The record is an introspective tune where she reflects on past relationships, both romantic and platonic. As she delves into those experiences, she uncovers the true essence of unconditional love. This is the fourth single from her forthcoming EP.
E Will, Coko, K-Ci Hailey – “Crazy For Your Love”
SWV’s Coko, Jodeci’s K-Ci, and legendary producer Eric “E Will” Williams have joined forces to create a phenomenal duet for R&B lovers of any age.
“Crazy For Your Love” was birthed after Jodeci and SWV hit the road last year for the Summer Block Party tour. Williams shared in a statement that “this [duet] represents a fusion of timeless talent and creative energy, and I believe it will resonate deeply with fans old and new.”
Aside from a stellar vocal performance, the ballad is for lovers—whether the emotion drives you to do something crazy or not—this song is a tune many can relate to.
LaTocha – “Love Yourself (Extended)”
LaTocha is returning to music with a remastered, extended version of her single, “Love Yourself,” off her debut solo album, The Invitation: A Conversation With God. The empowering anthem is as direct as it seems with the singer urging listeners to love themselves, even through the hardest of times.
When speaking on the LP upon its release last year, she told Rated R&B, “My favorite part of this album is just speaking from my heart. It was evident when I was in the studio that everything was coming outta me, whether it was me trying to uplift or telling people to love yourself or me saying, ‘God, are you gonna turn this around?’ I was able to be vulnerable in that space and not have any judgment […] It was just therapy for me.”
