Libianca may have fooled some of us into fandom. Her incredible talent as a pristine vocalist is the real thing, though. Born Libianca Kenzonkinboum Fonji, her exceptional control over her instrument was developed over more than ten years of training, seven years as a professional musician, and a season on …
Read More »Ambré: From Growing Up In New Orleans to R&B's Cutting Edge
The line outside S.O.B’s is a long one as fans wait to see Ambré perform on a rainy night in Manhattan. Umbrellas and coats cover the heads of the fans who line up around the block, sparking blunts outside the dimly-lit club. The vibe is calm yet charged, dark and …
Read More »Kelela Announces Her Second Album 'Raven': It's 'My First Breath Taken in the Dark'
In September, Kelela re-emerged with new music after a four-year hiatus. Of “Washed Away,” her first release since a set of remixes to debut album Take Me Apart, she said, “I specifically want to speak to marginalized Black folk and highlight the work we do to find renewal in a …
Read More »Joyce Wrice's Uptempo Reinvention: 'I Like Making Music People Can Dance To'
When Joyce Wrice reflects on the year-plus since her debut album, Overgrown, established her as a major new voice in R&B, she’s almost lost for words. “Oh my goodness,” says the Southern California singer. “Dropping that changed my life.” It’s New York Fashion Week, and Wrice — who will walk …
Read More »For SiR, 'Life is Good' Until It's Not
Sharing an intro of similarly dreamy, plucked guitar, SiR’s latest single “Life is Good” initially feels reminiscent of his Top Dawg Entertainment labelmate SZA’s smash “Good Days.” Yet, whereas SZA tussled with stressors on her track, SiR sounds truly carefree. “Everything but the weather, girl, I got under control,” he …
Read More »Brent Faiyaz Believes We Are Living In a 'Wasteland.' He Makes It Sound Damn Good
“I would like to apologize in advance for the person I’m gonna become once this album drops,” reads a billboard in New York’s Times Square. Plastered at the bottom is the single word Wasteland —the title to Brent Fayiaz’s long-awaited new album. If you think the statement on the billboard …
Read More »'People Fear the Greatness in Me': Lucky Daye's Exquisite Taste
When Lucky Daye attended the Grammy Awards in Las Vegas last weekend, he was thinking optimistically. “I pull up every time they nominate me,” the 36-year-old singer said shortly before the ceremony, at which he took home a Best Progressive R&B Album trophy for his 2021 EP, Table for Two. …
Read More »'I Can Say How I Feel, No Matter What': The Liberation of Omar Apollo
Here he comes now, sauntering down the sidewalk in L.A.’s Westchester neighborhood, a few blocks from LAX — iced coffee in hand, friend by his side, and a Whitney Houston song on his mind. “I’m saving all my love for youuuu,” he hum-sings with effortless soul and a soft smile, …
Read More »'A Breath of Fresh Air': How Giveon Became R&B's King of Warmth
Three years ago, Giveon landed a 15-minute tour slot opening for Baby Rose and Snoh Aalegra. There was only one problem: At the time, he had released just two original songs. Needing new tunes in a hurry to fill out his set, the R&B singer decided to write something quickly …
Read More »SZA, Megan Thee Stallion, Normani on the Cover of 'Rolling Stone'
SZA, Megan Thee Stallion, and Normani star on the cover of Rolling Stone’s second annual Women Shaping the Future issue, with a portrait by photographer Campbell Addy. In addition to revealing, in-depth profiles of these three artists, the issue also contains exclusive interviews with Regina King, Stacey Abrams, Natasha Lyonne, …
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