Sometimes good R&B can be hard to find, but there are plenty of great rhythm and blues tunes to get into if you have the time to sift through the hundreds of newly released songs every week. So that R&B heads can focus on listening to all the great music that appeases the musical palette, every Friday we’ll be offering a weekly digest of the hottest R&B jams fans of the genre should hear.
Trey Songz has been relatively quiet since Tremaine The Album dropped last year and just as 2018 comes to a close, the VA-crooner unleashed “Shootin Shots” featuring Ty Dolla Sign and Tory Lanez this week. Also, Ciara unveiled the visual to her R&B dance record titled “Dose” and gifted singer/songwriter Eric Bellinger‘s collaborative project NINE with Compton, California rapper A.D. was delivered featuring the Ginuwine-sampled joint “Patna.”
Trey Songz Feat. Ty Dolla Sign & Tory Lanez — “Shootin Shots”
Trey Songz is back like he never left. Mr. Steal Yo Girl returns with his fresh R&B cut “Shootin Shots” blessed by Hitmaka. Tapped in with Ty Dolla Sign and Tory Lanez, Trigga gets to be musically himself on “Shootin Shots” with its a laid back chorus and 00s-esque production. Everything about “Shootin Shots” sounds comfortably akin to Anticipation-Tremaine with a touch of 2005’s I Gotta Make It, which is definitely a good thing.
Ciara — “Dose”
Ciara is keeping up with the tempo on her Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins-produced single “Dose.” It’s Cici’s latest R&B-dance record and is unapologetically filled with blaring horns and boisterous drum knocks, courtesy of New Orleans Brass Band — a vibe made just for raising school spirit at a pep rally. And the music video for “Dose” is just that: A pep rally turn up, set in Atlanta. There’s even an appearance from ATL mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.Ciara naturally does what she does best in the video: dance her ass off.
Eric Bellinger & A.D. — ”Patna”
Just call Eric Bellinger “Pancho Belly” and A.D. “Dizzle.” These two talents connect for their nine-track collaborative EP NINE, which nicely opens up with “Patna,” a catching record sampling Ginuwine‘s 1996 hit “Pony.” “I’m not looking for a one night stand, I’m looking for a patna,” Eric belts out in tune with the chorus of “Pony.” Then, Compton’s own A.D. hops on to spit a verse and Dizzle knows exactly what we wants from the woman he desires NINE is pure West Coast love where the singer, sings and the rapper, raps. The chemistry exuded on “Patna” is a great example of how Eric and A.D. is the music industry’s best-kept secret.
Nao Feat. 6lack — “If You Ever”
Nao and 6lack blessed fans with the poignant and uptempo track “If You Ever” this week. The electronic-tinged R&B single was co-written and co-produced with Nao, by the ever so masterly Mura Masa. 6lack and Nao dance around each other’s celestial vocals to the beat of the song, taking listeners on a happy ride as they both promise to give their best to their respective lovers. Though Nao recently released her sophomore album Saturn, “If You Ever” is a stand-alone track. The UK singer is scheduled to embark on her world tour in December and expected to wrap in March.
Anthony Flammia — ”Top Of My Lungs”
“Top Of My Lungs” by Anthony Flammia is a true hidden gem. The first second of this gracious number entices you to want more of Flammia’s melodic offering. The beat, his voice, the tempo; it all comes together so perfectly. Anthony’s striking vocals weave flawlessly between pulsating guitar strums, painting a picture with his voice of heartbreaking devastation.
“My heart can’t take it anymore, I keep on leaving screaming at the top of lungs,” Anthony sings and each time his words are ironically matched with sonic calmness. “Top of My Lungs” is expected to live on Flammia’s upcoming album F.L.A.M.M..
D’Angelo — “Unshaken”
Grammy Award-winning musician D’Angelo is featured on the Red Dead Redemption 2 original soundtrack with his bluesy number “Unshaken.” With “Unshaken,” D effortlessly takes rhythm and blues back to its soulful roots. It’s is the first song he’s released since his 2014 Grammy-winning album Black Messiah.
Players of the record-breaking video game will run into the song during the game’s fifth chapter, right between the missions “Paradise Mercifully Departed” and “Dear Uncle Tacitus.”
VALNTNA — “Foolish Ways”
South London R&B singer VALNTNA says a final goodbye to all of her bad habits with her debut single “Foolish Ways” and holds a funeral for those unwanted ways in the song’s music video. “Through Darkness comes light,” VALTNA narrates ahead of the visuals opening. “Through struggle you find strength. Through pain you find change. Through change you find hope and through faith you find forgiveness.” Produced by 80svsn and NawtyNathaniel, VALNTNA has a spiritual conversation with herself and begs for God’s forgiveness while thanking Him for his everlasting love.
Keith Sweat Feat. Akon, Alkaline, RayFade — “Fuego”
Keith Sweat released his album Playing For Keeps this week and among the songs featured on the veteran R&B singer’s project is the flavorful number “Fuego” featuring additional vocals from Akon, Alkaline and RayFade. “Fuego” manages to keep up with the times without sounding like a forced-effort from the OG singer. It’s a smooth reinvention of what one would come to expect from Keith Sweat who churned out classic 90s R&B hits such as “Nobody” and “Twisted.”
