R&B: Last News

David Bowie famously sang about “Changes” in 1971, and true to his word, he turned and faced the strange on his 1975 LP “Young Americans.”Making a galactic journey from glam-rock to his self-described “plastic soul,” the man who came from Mars as Ziggy Stardust landed in Philadelphia to record his game-changing classic that came out 50 years ago on March 7, 1975.But the rock star — who died at 69 from liver cancer in 2016 — wasn’t exactly greeted with brotherly love in the city.“We were going to the birthplace of so many hits,” Tony Visconti — the “Young Americans” producer who had worked with Bowie since 1968 — exclusively told The Post. “But [Kenny] Gamble and [Leon] Huff, they didn’t want to work with us.”Indeed, the Sound of Philadelphia architects behind such R&B greats as the O’Jays, Teddy Pendergrass, and Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes were not open to this Brit invading their territory.“They actually said, ‘We don’t want no white boy stealing our music’ or something like that,” said Visconti, 80.But Bowie was on a makeover mission that could not be stopped on “Young Americans,” assembling his own soul squad, including Sly & the Family Stone drummer Andrew Newmark, Donny Hathaway bassist Willie Weeks, James Brown saxophonist David Sanborn and an emerging background singer by the name of Luther Vandross at Sigma Sound — the Philly studio where many Gamble & Huff hits were made.There was also session guitar player Carlos Alomar licking it up on hits such as the title track and his co-written classic “Fame” — Bowie’s first No.

The Weeknd has announced a second Las Vegas stadium show for his ‘After Hours Til Dawn’ North American tour, due to high demand for tickets.In January, the musician shared details of a massive North American tour, taking place across stadiums later this year. The tour will take place from May to September 2025, stopping in cities including Houston, Nashville, Chicago, Vancouver and Atlanta.The Weeknd is scheduled to play in Las Vegas on July 5; however, due to high demand, an extra show has been added to Vegas for July 4.The tour news came following the release of the singer’s long-anticipated album ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’.

Rihanna has revealed that she gave birth wearing pearls and sunglasses in a new post online.The singer, actor and business mogul shared the update in a new social media post over the weekend, celebrating International Women’s Day.In the post, Ri is seen in two separate images shortly after giving birth, holding her children in a hospital bed while kitted out in pearls and pink sunglasses. “By far the most powerful thing I’ve ever done as a woman…my little miracles!” she wrote in the caption.The first photo shows the singer wearing multiple gold and pearl necklaces while holding her son RZA shortly after he was born.

FLO have postponed their 2025 UK and European headline tour due to Renée Downer sustaining an injury during rehearsals.The R&B trio had been scheduled to hit the road in support of their debut album ‘Access All Areas’, which was released last November.Originally set to kick off in Hamburg tonight (March 5), the trek would have also seen the group take to the stage in Utrecht, Cologne and Paris before heading to the UK for shows in Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham and London.The latter was lined up for the O2 Academy Brixton in London on March 16.Now, sharing a joint statement on social media, FLO have now confirmed that their UK and European run has been delayed.

Erykah Badu honoured the late great singer-songwriter Roberta Flack during her one-off DJ set in London for her birthday. See the video below.Last Thursday (February 27), Badu celebrated her 54th birthday by playing a surprise DJ set at Camden’s Jazz Cafe under the alias DJ Lo Down Loretta Brown.London’s own Keyrahh was the opening DJ and, when the ‘Bag Lady’ singer got on stage, she thanked her for warming up the crowd and introduced Rashad Smith (aka producer Tumbling Dice) whom she hailed as “the original hitmaker from New York that had the ’90s streets on fire”.She then took over the decks for an experimental, eclectic set while on “mushrooms”.An impromptu Q&A session afterward.

Beyoncé has paid tribute to late R&B singer Angie Stone.Stone, a veteran of the R&B genre, tragically died in a car crash at the age of 63 on Saturday (March 1). She was the only person involved in the accident to die.Following the news of her untimely death, Beyoncé has paid tribute to Angie Stone by sharing a post about her on her website.

FLO have spoken to NME about the power of R&B – and joked that they hope to see more girl groups emerge so they can have a rivalry. Read the interview below, or check it out in full via the video above.The trio spoke to NME at the 2025 edition of the BRIT Awards this weekend, where they were shortlisted for the award for R&B Act – alongside Cleo Sol, Jorja Smith, Michael Kiwanuka and RAYE.Looking back on the comments they made to NME last summer – when they called for more R&B girl groups hit the mainstream – FLO said that they are still yet to see any new groups who could be competition for them.“Well, it would be nice to see more R&B girl groups because we’re holding it down,” said Jorja Douglas.

“No More Rain (In This Cloud)” which reached No. 1 for 10 weeks on Billboard’s Adult R&B airplay chart, “Baby” with legendary soul singer Betty Wright, another No.

NME Cover star Jordan Adetunji brought out fellow singer KWN during his recent sold-out headline show in London. Check out the footage below.Adetunji performed a collection of his newest and previous songs last night (February 27) at The Lower Third venue in the capital as part of the UK and European leg of his 2025 world tour.

Lizzo has released her comeback single ‘Love In Real Life’ – watch the music video below.In recent weeks, Lizzo has been building up anticipation for her comeback after taking a “gap year” in 2024.On Valentine’s Day (February 14), Lizzo formally bode farewell to her ‘Special’ era and began teasing her upcoming releases. The single marks Lizzo’s return to music since the 2022 album.At the time, she wrote alongside an Instagram video in which she spray-painted the words “bye bitch” on the ‘Special’ album cover: “I want to introduce to you guys, the newest piece of content from the new era. I have been working on new music for last two years.

Midway through Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR’s Some Sexy Songs 4 U, a soft but impactful voice takes over. It comes from Pimmie, a Houston-based songwriter who has won the Drizzy lottery.

Lauryn Hill has shared a tribute to Roberta Flack, who died earlier this week at the age of 88.“We are heartbroken that the glorious Roberta Flack passed away this morning,” Flack’s representatives wrote in a statement on Monday (February 24). “She died peacefully surrounded by her family.

A$AP Rocky‘s lawyer has refuted claims that Rihanna brought their kids to court recently as a “ploy” to win over the jury’s sympathy – see what he had to say below.Last week (February 18), rapper A$AP Rocky – who shares two kids with Rihanna – was found not guilty after a recent trial about his role in a shooting incident in 2021.After a nearly month-long trial in Los Angeles, A$AP Rocky was found innocent on all counts by an LA jury after being charged for allegedly firing a gun at his former friend A$AP Relli in the Hollywood area in 2021. Rocky faced 24 years in prison after the rapper turned down a plea deal for 180 days in jail.Over the course of the trial, Rihanna showed up in court to support the rapper and towards the end of the court case brought their kids along.

The Isley Brothers‘ Chris Jasper has died at the age of 73.The songwriter, producer and keyboardist passed away last Sunday (February 23) following a cancer diagnosis in December 2024, a statement from his family confirmed yesterday (February 25).“He will be deeply missed and his legacy will live on as an inspiration for generations,” the message read.The post noted Jasper’s “pivotal role in shaping the sound of The Isley Brothers and Isley-Jasper-Isley”, and his career “as a distinguished solo artist” – which spanned over three decades.In 1992, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with the rest of his bandmates in The Isley Brothers.Jasper earned a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys in 2014. He was given the National R&B Society Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.

Lizzo has shared the first teaser for her upcoming single ‘Love In Real Life’ – check it out below.In recent weeks, Lizzo has been building up anticipation for her comeback after taking a “gap year” in 2024. On Valentine’s Day (February 14), Lizzo formally bode farewell to her ‘Special’ era and began teasing her upcoming releases.At the time, she wrote alongside an Instagram video in which she spray-painted the words “bye bitch” on the ‘Special’ album cover: “I want to introduce to you guys, the newest piece of content from the new era. I have been working on new music for last two years.

Consequence).By 1969, Flack had shared her debut album ‘First Take’ with Atlantic Records, and in 1971 she famously starred in the Ghana Independence Day concert film Soul To Soul, which also featured Santana, Ike & Tina Turner and more.Throughout the ‘70s, her success continued to grow. Her now-classic track ‘The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face’ was notably chosen by Clint Eastwood to feature in his directorial debut Play Misty for Me.

Sam Fender and RAYE leading the line-up. Find all the details below.The motor racing event is due to take place at the iconic Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire between July 3-6.Today (February 20), organisers have confirmed who’ll be topping the bill when the F1 hosts “an eclectic mix of British music heavyweights this year”, having attracted record crowds of 480,000 last summer.Fender, who releases his third album ‘People Watching’ tomorrow (February 21), is set to headline Silverstone on Thursday July 3.

Sugababes have been announced as the second headliners for Brighton and Hove Pride 2025.The trio – comprised of Mutya Buena, Keisha Buchanan and Siobhán Donaghy – will be taking to the stage on Sunday August 3 for this year’s edition of the festival.It comes just after confirmation that Mariah Carey would be appearing this year too. The pop star was revealed as the first headliner for the Brighton event earlier this year, and the set comes five years after she was set to perform there in 2020.

Lizzo has revealed that she and SZA almost formed a rock band called Pussy Lasers, alongside another, unnamed artist.The ‘Good As Hell’ singer shared the story during a Twitch stream on Friday (February 14), where she was recalling recording SZA’s song ‘F2F’ from her 2022 album ‘SOS‘.“We just always been friends, and it’s a sacred space for me in this industry. We [had] this little period of time where we were just linking up in the studio,” Lizzo said on the stream.

Suge Knight has claimed that Tupac was interested in signing Aaliyah to Death Row Records.The iconic label’s co-founder made the revelation in a new interview with The Art of Dialogue. Talking over the phone from prison, Knight said Tupac first learned about Aaliyah when they went to see Gladys Knight perform.“We had a thing,” he said. “I would always listen to oldies, and Pac would listen to rap.

Drake and PartyNextDoor have shared their first collaborative album together, ‘$ome $exy $ongs 4 U’ – check out who they’ve name-checked on the record below.The album is the pop-rap juggernaut’s first release since his highly-publicised rap battle with Kendrick Lamar.