Posted on October 23rd, 2020
‘’Rnb music’’, has always been apart of my childhood, for as long as I can remember. Growing up in a Black Jamaican household, has definitely helped. Music was always the heart and soul for me.’’
I use to think that rnb music was totally dead, and washed up. But honestly I think now rnb music has been revived for 2020. I’ve seen so many new- and up-coming artists from the likes of; Snoh Aalegra, Kiana Lede, Danileigh, Jenevieve, Angelica Vila, Queen Naija, Mariah The Scientist, Malachiae, Miraa May, Summer Walker, Victoria Monet, Sabrina Claudio, Lavaud, Jacob Latimore, Jhene Aiko, Kaash Paige, Jacquees, H.E.R, & Teyana Taylor.
I have began to notice that they are some hidden germ talents, that we basically don’t get to see or hear much about musically in Rnb. These artists have really gone unnoticed and practically are underrated in the rnb industry.
These are the artists that I feel are personally underrated in the rnb industry; Bobby Valentino, Jhene Aiko, Jacob Latimore, Keyisha Cole, Kiana Lede, Sabrina Claudio, Alina Baraz, H.E.R, August Alsina, Stacie Orrico, Marsha Ambrosius, Avant, Bryson Tiller, & Tank.
Bobby Valentino
Bobby Valentino is an American Singer, Songwriter, & Actor. AKA by his stage name Bobby V (formerly Bobby Valentino), He is mostly known for his breakthrough anthem hit for Summer 2005 ‘’ Slow Down’, produced by Tim & Bob. His other previous hits includes “Anonymous”, ‘’Tell Me,’’ ‘’ If I Can’t Have You’’, & ‘’Turn the Page’’.
His unreleased hits includes ‘’You & Me,’’ ‘’BackSide’’, ‘’Here We Go”, Again’’, ‘’Stop For Second’’, ‘’Hot & Heat,’’ ‘’You’re Not Alone’’,
Bobby Valentino, has never been truly given the recognise that he truly deserves, he makes such lovely beautiful music. Not once has he been given an award, seeing as he has been around for 15 years now. It’s a shame that he is so under the radar. One thing that I have seem to notice that you hardly hear his’s music on the radio stations or music channels. It is very rare that you actually hear a Bobby Valentino song.
Jhene Aiko
Jhene Aiko is an American Singer and Songwriter from Los Angeles, California. Who first embarked on her music career starting off contributing backing vocals to several B2K releases, as well a song on The Master of Disguise soundtrack in 2002, while signed to The Ultimate Group and managed by Chris Stokes.
She is mostly known for appearing and featuring on B2K’s tracks five through eight of the R&B group’s remix album B2K: The Remixes – Volume 1. “Santa Baby“, a cover she recorded, was also featured on their album Santa Hooked Me Up and she appeared as a guest vocalist on the song “Tease” from Pandemonium!. Her song “Dog’’appeared as a bonus track.
His other previous hits includes ‘’Stranger’’, ‘’July’’, & ‘’In Love We Trust’’.
In March 2020, Jhene Aiko released her third studio album titled ‘’ Chilombo’’. Her newest’s hits from the album includes ‘’Pussy Fairy’’, ‘’None Of Your Concern’’, ‘’Happiness Over Everything’’, “Above and Beyond” “Summer 2020” “Come On”
Jhene Aiko’s, voice is like a lovely lotus flower who just lights up everything she touches musically. Her voice is soft and angelic. She truly doesn’t get the recognise that she deserves. Her talent is like going to waste. It would be really nice to hear more of her songs on the radio stations as well on the TV music channel stations as well.
Jacob Latimore
Jacob Latimore is an American R&B Singer & Actor from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US. He first rosed to fame in 2013, when he featured on young marquis’s song ‘’Put that on my heart beat’’. Which gave him some exposure in the music industry.
He has been active since 2005, and has been making music ever since. Jacob released his’s first single ‘’Best Friend’’, which was released in 2005. n 2006, “Superstar,” was released. In June 2014, he released his hit song “Heartbreak Heard Around The World” ft. T-Pain. His debut
album, Connection, was released in 2016. His sophomore effort Connection2, the sequel to Connection, was released on April 26, 2019.
In May 2020, Jacob released his’s third studio album titled ‘’C3’’,
His’s previous hits have included ‘’Best Friend’’, ‘’Superstar’, ‘’ Like Em’’, (Original Version) ‘’Like Em’’ Featuring Diggy Simmons. His’s newest hits up-to-date include ‘’ Details’’, ‘’Get U Alone’’, ‘’Ass Like That’’, ‘’Live What You Say’’,
Keyisha Cole
Keyisha Cole is an American Singer, & Songwriter. She was born in Oakland, California. Her career first began when she met MC Hammer at the age of 12, and later met rapper Tupac Shakur. At the age of 15, she moved to Los Angeles and was later introduced to A&M Records. She released her debut album, The Way It Is (2005), which debuted five singles: “Never”, “I Changed My Mind”, “(I Just Want It) To Be Over”, “I Should Have Cheated”, and “Love”. It was certified gold within 17 weeks, and then platinum just eight weeks later. The album stayed on the charts for over a year, selling over 1.6 million copies.
Apart from making music, Cole started venturing out into reality television. She signed a TV deal to have her own reality/documentary series Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is which aired on BET from 2006 until 2008, giving viewers a closer look into Cole’s career and family life with her biological mother and sister. Her second reality show, Family First premiered on October 9, 2012. Her third reality show Keyshia Cole: All In premiered on February 24, 2015.
She has released 7 studio albums so far titled ‘’The Way It Is’’, (2005) ‘’Just Like You’’, (2007) ‘’A Different Me’’, (2008) ‘’Calling All Hearts’’, (2010) ‘’Women To Women’’, (2012) ‘’No Point Of Return’’, (2014) ‘’11:11 Reset’’, (2017) Cole is currently working on her eighths studio album due for a release in 2020.
Kiana Lede
Kiana Lede is an American R&B Singer, Actress, & Songwriter from Los Angeles, California. In 2016, Kiana got casted in the series regular role as Zoe Vaughn on the second season of MTV‘s Scream.
Kiana has been musically active since 2011 to present. Lede signed a new record Republic Records and released her debut EP Myself in July 2018. The EP includes her breakthrough song “EX”, which became her first top 10 hit on the US R&B Songs chart, peaking at number 9, and at number 1 in several countries.
Ledé had been working on her debut album for some time now. Her debut album, titled KIKI was eventually released on April 3rd, 2020, which debuted at number 30 on the Billboard 200.
Her previous hits have included ‘’ EX’’, ‘’Can I’’, ‘’Bounce’’, ‘’Mad At Me’’, & ‘’Fairplay’’.
Sabrina Claudio
Sabrina Claudio is an American R&B Singer and Songwriter from Miami, Florida, USA. She first found fame when she started uploading several songs to her SoundCloud, before compiling a select collection as part of her debut extended play EP, ‘’Confidently Lost’’, which was released independently in March 2017.
She first began recording and releasing video covers on Twitter and YouTube before transitioning to original tracks which she released on SoundCloud. Over the course of 2016, Claudio released several singles, including “Runnin’ Thru Lovers,’’ “Orion’s Belt,”and Confidently Lost.
She started getting major attention in late 2019, when People started to become more familiar with her music and started to recognise who she is. In October 2019, Claudio released her 2nd studio album titled ‘’ Truth Is’’. Claudio released her second single “Holding the Gun,” taken from her second album.
Alina Baraz
Alina Baraz is an American Russian, Jewish Singer & Songwriter from Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A. Baraz launched her music career in 2013, after moving to Los Angeles, Alina and Electronic and music producer Galimatias teamed up together for a collaboration on a collaborative EP together titled ‘’Urban Flora’’, through Ultra Music after discovering each other’s work online.
In August 2016, Baraz signed a record deal with independent label Mom + Pop Music. In September 2019, Baraz premiered her new single titled ‘’ To Me’’, on YouTube and various streaming outlets.
Her previous hits have included ‘’ Buzzin’’, ‘’Electric,” ‘’Feels Right,” & ‘’Lavender and Velvet’’. Her newest hits up-to-date includes ‘’ Morocco,” ‘’More Than Enough’’, & ‘’Frank’’.
H.E.R
Gabriella Wilson better known professionally as H.E.R. is an American singer and songwriter from Vallejo, California, U.S. Wilson was introduced to the public as an artist as a young child, covering Alicia Keys on piano on the Today Show, before competing on Radio Disney’s The Next BIG Thing when she was 12 years old. She also made a guess appearance on the on the Maury show for “The Most Talented Kids,” when she was 10 years old.
After initial music appearances and single under her real name, Wilson re-emerged in 2016 with the H.E.R. persona, releasing her debut EP ‘’H.E.R. Volume 1.’’ She then released subsequent EPs ‘’H.E.R. Volume 2’’. (2017), ‘’The B Sides’’. (2017), ‘’I Used to Know Her: The Prelude’’. (2018) ‘’and I Used to Know Her’’,: Part 2 (2018). Her first compilation album ‘’H.E.R’’. was released in October 2017, consisting of tracks from the singer’s first two EPs plus six additional songs. H.E.R. was nominated for five Grammy Awards at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in 2019, winning Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Album.
August Alsina
August Alsina is an American R&B Singer and Songwriter from New Orleans, Louisiana. He bursted onto the rnb scene in 2013, when he released his first single titled ‘’ I luv this shit’’, featuring Trinidad James was released in January 2013, and his mixtape ‘’The Product 2’’, followed in May 2013.
Alsina released his second single titled ‘’ Ghetto’’, in December 2013.
In July 2020, Alsina released a new collaboration titled “Entanglements” with hip-hop rapper Rick Ross on July 19, 2020, in which Alsina sings “You left your man just to f— with me and break his heart”
Alsina released his’s third studio album titled ‘’ The Product III: State of Emergency’’. On June 29th, 2020.
Stacie Orrico
Stacie Orrico is an American Pop Singer and Songwriter from Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Orrico got her first big break start in 1998, at the age of 12, by attending a Christian music festival, Praise in the Rockies, held in her then-home state of Colorado. Orrico inadvertently entered a high-stakes talent competition, and won. A ForeFront Records executive was on hand and approached her for a record deal. She later signed with them. In 2001, she toured with Destiny’s Child on their Survivor US tour. and recorded her first album, ‘’Genuine’’, (2000), which sold 13,000 units in its first week of release.
She went on to release two albums. The first was Genuine (2000), which she recorded at age 14. It sold over 13,000 copies in the first week, the highest debut week sales ever for a female Christian artist.
Her previous hits have included “Don’t Look At Me,” “I’m Not Missing You,” “So Simple”, & ‘’Take Me Away’.’
Marsha Ambrosius
Marsha Ambrosius is an English Singer and Songwriter from Liverpool, London. She first rosed to fame as a member of a female duo called Floetry. Ambrosius released her first debut solo album ‘’Late Nights & Early Mornings’’, in March 2011.
Since going solo Ambrosius has been featured on many other artists’ songs including Styles P’s “I’m Black”; The Game’s “Start from Scratch,” and “Why You Hate The Game.” (also featuring Nas); Busta Rhymes’ “Get You Some,” and “Cocaina”; Nas’ “Hustlers,” (also featuring The Game); and Hi-Tek’s “Music for Life,” and Jamie Foxx’s “Freak’in Me“. The group has also collaborated with Earth, Wind & Fire on their album, Illumination, on the track “Elevated”. She collaborated once again with Slum Village called “Cloud 9“. In 2009, she guested on Wale’s “Diary“.
She is best known for the singles ‘’Late Nights & Early Mornings,” (2011) ‘’Far Away’’, (2010) ‘’Co-Star’’, (2008) & “Hope She Cheats on You (With a Basketball Player).” (2010)
Avant
Avant is an American R&B Singer and Songwriter from Cleveland, Ohio, US.
Avant first began his career starting out as songwriter at the tender age of 14. He independently released his debut single “Separated,” in 1998. It was a song based on a failed romantic relationship. The single created a buzz and was played on the radio. It helped him land a deal at Magic Johnson Music.
In 2000, he released his debut album, ‘’My Thoughts’’, which sold more than 1.3 million copies in the United States and 4.4 million worldwide. It was released by MCA Records.
He is known for his songs “Separated”, “Read Your Mind”, and “Makin’ Good Love”. He has produced three Platinum-selling albums. He has released 15 singles and 7 albums.
In July 2020, Avant released his’s ninths studio album titled ‘’ Can We Fall in Love’’.
After being away out of the limelight for some time, Avant made his debut return back into the music industry after battling from Lupus, which he has had for some time now. In 2019, Avant returned with the single “Not Gone Lose,” and signed a label deal to release the album Can We Fall in Love, which was released in July 2020.
Before his comeback return in 2019, the last song he released was “Special,” taken from his eighth studio album titled ‘’The VIII’’. Which was released 5 years ago.
New songs to check out from the man himself ‘’ Edible’’, & ‘’Can We Fall In Love’’.
Bryson Tiller
Bryson Tiller is an American Singer, Songwriter, and Rapper from Louisville, Kentucky, US. he started his career in 2011, releasing the debut mixtape titled ‘’Killer Instinct Vol.1’’.
In October 2015, Tiller released his first studio album titled ‘’ Trapsoul’’, which reached number eight on the US Billboard 200.
He is most known for the breakthrough major anthem hits such as ‘’Don’t’’. & “Exchange”. For 2015 & 2016.
Bryson came back strong for 2020 with a brand new album titled ‘’ Anniversary’’, which is his’s third studio album. Also as well with a new single too titled ‘’ Right My Wrongs’’ Bryson unveils his new music video which is an emotional heartfelt apology to his girlfriend for his’s messed up mistakes that he has made .
Taken from his 2015 debut, ‘’Trapsoul’’, Tiller released the new video at the same time as unveiling a new deluxe edition of his first album. The new release also features four additional tracks and a collaboration with The Weeknd.
New songs to check out from the man himself ‘’ Sorrow’’, ‘’Right My Wrongs’’, ‘’ Years Go By’’, & ‘’Always Forever’’.
Tank
Tank is an American R&B Singer and Songwriter from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. He is best known for the singles “Maybe I Deserve”, (2001) “Please Don’t Go”, (2006) and “When We”. (2017)
Tank released his second piano-led project of 2020 Nearly three months after releasing his piano-led EP,’’ While You Wait’’, Tank returns with the sequel ‘’Worth The Wait’’. Like most of the tunes on his antecedent release, the R&B general accompanies them with his lovely piano work.
Words by Shereece Thompson Rutty
Editor-in-chief & Writer/Interviewer at Urban Youth
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