R&B
Grammys 2023: If someone had to pip Beyoncé, you could do worse than Harry Styles
The queen of pop broke records – though not for the big gongs, again. But if the Recording Academy has a history of unexpected choices, this year’s wins for Styles, Bonnie Raitt and Lizzo had substance behind them
Alexis Petridis
06, Feb, 2023 @2:20 PM
Lous and the Yakuza review – a star too good to be lost in translation
The francophone R&B singer and model brings swagger, mischief and slinky style to a compelling set that dances across genres and languages
Kitty Empire
04, Feb, 2023 @2:00 PM
Mary J Blige: the era-defining R&B original is back on imperial form – and primed for Grammys success
Blige redrew the map in the 90s, combining hip-hop and soul, before her life and chart fortunes took a tumble. But after the Super Bowl and a creative return-to-form, she’s back on top
Alexis Petridis
01, Feb, 2023 @2:00 PM
Barrett Strong: the Motown hitmaker was modest almost to a fault
Though he was quick to credit others’ contributions, Strong’s songwriting was absolutely critical to the label that remade American pop music
Stevie Chick
31, Jan, 2023 @3:02 PM
Ziggy Ramo: Sugar Coated Lies review – bold, uncompromising hip-hop that takes a new path
Released independently on 26 January, the artist’s second album has more mainstream appeal than his first – but is as unapologetically political as ever
Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen
27, Jan, 2023 @2:00 PM
Girl group Flo win BBC Sound of 2023
The London trio, who released their debut single Cardboard Box in 2022, beat Fred Again, Nia Archives and Gabriels to the top of the annual poll, which has a good record of predicting breakout success
Shaad D'Souza
05, Jan, 2023 @10:33 AM
New music for 2023: George Riley, the R&B songwriter and club kid who is switching on the joy
Her acclaimed debut album came out of a dark place – but the experimental London musician has a new lease of life for 2023
Christine Ochefu
02, Jan, 2023 @12:00 PM
Ravyn Lenae: Hypnos review – the boundless possibilities of the night
Lenae’s breathy falsetto wields lightness like a superpower in this glimmering sonic galaxy of a debut album
Tara Joshi
27, Dec, 2022 @8:00 AM
Thom Bell: the musical maverick who shaped Philly soul | Bob Stanley
The producer made scores of hits, paved the way for disco and recorded big cats for Dionne Warwick. He was like no other
Bob Stanley
23, Dec, 2022 @3:02 PM
Philadelphia soul pioneer Thom Bell dies aged 79
The musician turned producer worked with the Delfonics, the Spinners, the O’Jays and the Stylistics and helped pave the way for disco
Shaad D'Souza
23, Dec, 2022 @11:22 AM
The 50 best albums of 2022, No 1: Beyoncé – Renaissance
At last, a post-pandemic party album we could all get behind, as the artist rode her glittery horse through house, disco and ballroom culture to reimagine Studio 54 in her image
Jenessa Williams
23, Dec, 2022 @10:00 AM
Post your questions for Pharrell Williams
Do you want to know more about the huge hat he wears, the secret to that perfect skin or what it’s like working with Snoop Dogg? Get your questions in for the rapper and producer extraordinaire
Shaad D'Souza
22, Dec, 2022 @2:00 PM
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