Ari Lennox, Jennifer Hudson, Zyah Belle, And More New R&B For Those Smoke Breaks
This week in R&B embodies the energy of f**k around and find out. Whether you’re taking a smoke break or are in active search of all the smoke, there’s something here to match your energy.
Ari Lennox, Zyah Belle, and Jennifer Hudson lead the roundup with their respective releases as Otis Kane and Mary J. Blige tease their upcoming albums. We introduce you to the greatness that is Black Hibiscus. Queen Naija celebrates the life of a friend she lost, and everyone who embodies bad b***h energy gets new anthems from Sean Garrett and Summer Dennis.
Pick your poison with our top new R&B selects below.
Ari Lennox – “Smoke”
Ari Lennox is back with her first proper release of 2024. “Smoke” is a testament to the singer reclaiming her power as she taunts listeners when singing, “f**k around and find out” and “save all your f**ks for me.”
In the Chris Robinson-directed visual, Ari is being held in a mental asylum and conjures up a masterful plan to escape. However, there’s a plot twist at the end that proves it won’t be as easy as she thinks. Lennox’s music video is just the beginning of what’s to come from her next album.
Jennifer Hudson – The Gift Of Love
Jennifer Hudson has released her first holiday album, which marks her debut release under a new deal at Interscope.
The Gift Of Love is her reimagining of several festive gems including “O Holy Night,” “Jingle Bells,” and “The Christmas Song.” Recently, on her eponymous talk show, she revealed that her favorite song on the LP is “Santa For Someone,” which her son David named.
She also has a heartwarming collab with her beau, Common, on “Almost Christmas.” The Gift Of Love is her first album since 2014’s JHUD.
Zyah Belle – “LYIN”
After starting anew earlier this year, Zyah Belle returns with her new soulful single, “LYIN.” Complete with a stamp of approval from Rihanna, Belle sings about “a lyin’ a** n***a” who tried her one time too many. The proclaimed “diss track” is what she calls her “R&B ‘Ether.'”
Belle explained in a statement, “’LYIN’ is for every person who’s ever been lied to, cheated on, or played by their ex. It’s my R&B ‘Ether,’ aimed straight at the heart of those who did us wrong. When I freestyled this, I had every single heartbreak in mind—every betrayal, every lie, every fake promise. This song is about the rawness of heartbreak, but it’s also about reclaiming your power, even if you have to break a few things to do it. Sometimes, the only way to heal is to let the anger out and show them you’re stronger than the pain they caused.”
A precursor to her upcoming full-length release, “LYIN” demonstrates the power that comes at the crossroads of vulnerability and strength.
Mary J. Blige – “You Ain’t The Only One”
Ahead of her new album, Mary J. Blige dropped her new single, “You Ain’t The Only One.”
Produced by Pat Kelly, Angelo “Doc” Velasquez, Will Campbell, and Aidan Brody, the song is an uptempo, relatable groove where she provides reassurance to listeners dealing with life’s ebb and flows. “You ever feel like you just wanna give up?/ Feel so tired, you don’t wanna get up/ You ain’t the only one,” she sings in the chorus.
The music video premieres on Monday (Oct. 21) while her album, Gratitude, is slated for release on Nov. 15.
Black Hibiscus – GROWING PAINS
Nigerian-born, Brooklyn-based soul artist Black Hibiscus’ new album is here. GROWING PAINS is an exploration of the trials associated with personal growth that’s both intimate and unpredictable.
“It’s thematically about a period of time where you’re without the safety net of academics and you’re going through a phase of discovery,” he shared in a statement. “You’re becoming a real person for the first time.”
Standout tracks include the funky “DON’T WANNA MISS U,” the emotional “GROWING,” the soothing “PAINS,” and the dreamy “FLOWERS & AN EIGHTH.”
Otis Kane – “Scorpio”
Otis Kane is truly one of the most slept-on crooners of modern R&B. The hypnotizing crooner dropped his new single, “Scorpio,” while also sharing the release date for his sophomore album, Violet.
“As a lifelong Scorpio, I’ve navigated the sign’s more challenging traits and learned that living fully in the moment is the best way to thrive,” Kane shared about the single. “I believe that message resonates universally. For this track, I wanted to channel the soulful artists I grew up listening to, hoping to share the good energy and vibes I felt while creating it with everyone who hears it!”
Violet will be available in January 2025.
Queen Naija – “Missing You”
Queen Naija interpolated Faith Evans’ “Never Let You Go” to honor her late friend and bodyguard, Beast, on her new single, “Missing You.” The emotional ballad honors his life while also capturing how much his absence has impacted her.
“Haven’t been myself since the day that you went away from me/ And I try not to get emotional from the memories we’ve shared,” she sings. “Sometimes I can’t help it/ ‘God knows that you were special/ If you ever loved and lost then you would know/ Just how it feels, feels so unreal/ That you’re not here, hope that I’ll see you again/ But until then I’ll be missing you.”
This record follows the release of her assertive anthem, “Good Girls Finish Last.”
Summer Dennis – “Pink Lotus: The Reggae Remix”
Summer Dennis is keeping summer alive with the arrival of her “Pink Lotus: Reggae Remix.” Produced by Harmony Samuels, the vibrant tune honors Dennis’ Jamaican heritage while breathing new life into the original song. For Dennis, the song is a “celebration of resilience and beauty,” while symbolizing confidence and carrying a carefree nature.
Sean Garrett Feat. Jacquees – “Baddie”
Sean Garrett returns to the music scene with his single, “Baddie,” featuring Jacquees. The seductive track is an anthem for all the baddies across the land as the men praise women universally who carry that bold energy proudly.
Of the record, Garrett expressed, “Working on this record with my brother Jacquees was like working on a masterpiece. This record is unique, tasteful, dynamic, fire, for the strip clubs, radio, TikTok or whatever. It’s fun, it’s R&B, and it doesn’t sound like anything else that’s out. My brother Jacquees came through with an amazing delivery and I went crazy of course!!! It’s a new day. RNB IS BACK!!”
Jacquees added, “Working with Sean Garrett is always dope, that’s my n***a and he a legend. He never come to play and I don’t either so we work well.” There’s more music to come from both artists.
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