6 R&B Singers Due for Summertime Feels

With the COVID-19 Pandemic affecting the world in a multitude of ways, musicians and recording artists are advised to postpone, delay, and even cancel concerts, tours, and music festival dates for the foreseeable future. Just like every other civilian around the world, artists are highly recommended to stay at home and practice social distancing until herd immunity or a vaccine is achieved and distributed to a majority of the world population. Although artists are inhibited to express their musical talents in front of a sea of fans via public and large gathers, vocalists are finding innovative ways to stay creative and expand their discography as 2020 continues despite a universal, albeit, informal quarantine. Artists like The Weeknd, Jhene Aiko, Kehlani, and Thundercat have released full-length commercial projects amidst the North American Stay-at-Home order which commenced in mid-March.

Its not until the colder seasons that feeling turn blue as summer comes to a close. But with a great fall comes a great rise, especially in the temperature. Feel good tunes and soul driven sounds are becoming more and more of a trend in today’s R&B genre as old samples come into amalgamation with spacey synthesizers, eerie backdrops, and nocturnal bass lines. Although COVID-19 may force people to socially distance from one another, these artists can very well many anyone of us break those rules in order to make our fantasies a reality. Here are 6 vocalists primed for a soulful and highly emotion summer 2020.

6lack

Last Solo Project: East Atlanta Love Letter (September 2018)

Mr. Zone 6 has had quite a presence the last couple of years. A solid hookmaker and bridge vocalist, 6lack has made himself very busy being a guest artist for a countless number of features for serval different artists. From making an appearance in Dreamville’s Revenge of the Dreamers III (2019), to working with contemporary R&B vocalists like Snoh Aalegra in a remixed version to “I Want You Around”, to working with rappers like Dante Hitchcock and Guapdad 4000. It seems like 6lack has become hip-hop’s new cheat code when making a record. 

6lack latest project came just under 2 years ago titled East Atlanta Love Letter (2018), a project that is dubbed by the artist as a more accurate reflection of the music he wants to create for himself. The album is similar yet diverse enough to differentiate the nocturnal and depressive sounds of his debut studio album Free 6lack (2016). East Atlanta Love Letter is as what the title suggests, his upbringing of his hometown environment of Zone 6 East Atlanta and how his district shaped the adult and man he is today. The project showcases 6lack’s versatility as both a ranged and multi-tempoed singer, as well as an aggressive and effortless rapper. East Atlanta Love Letter features both a soulful position without sacrificing the feeling of pain and adversity in his music. Along with his versatile styles and means of delivery, 6lack also has an extensive feature list on this project with appearances from Future, Khalid, Offset, and J Cole.

Just when you though 6lack was going to go on a hiatus after blessing the hip-hop community with feature after feature, Zone 6’s very own dropped a hometown favorite, “ATL Freestyle” to start June off. Fans got even more excited once 6lack subtly hinted at something big in the works as he went to twitter to give fans something to dissect. It’s safe to say, summer in the A will turn the city to Hotlanta real quick. 

Bryson Tiller

Last Solo Project: True to Self (May 2017)

It is safe to say that Bryson Tiller belongs at the top tier along side Frank Ocean for R&B ghosts of all time. It has been a lengthy three years since Tiller has released a full length project, or any project for that matter. At this rate, it seems like Pen Griffey will never release another studio album again. Bryson Tiller has gone dark since the release of his latest studio album, True to Self (2017). Since then, Tiller has released a grand total of two singles solely to his name.

True to Self was Tiller’s follow up project to his critically acclaimed debut album, Trapsoul (2015). Trapsoul was seen as a revolutionary project at the time. The album played off the modern sounds of R&B with the composition of trap rap production and uplifting soulful production styles mixed with Tiller’s personal ballardtry and storytelling. The flavor of Tiller’s music was being compared to artists like Drake, PartyNextDoor, and Tory Lanez, when really, his work was incomparable in of itself. The album has aged considerably well as it is now a triple platinum record.

Bryson’s second studio album, True to Self, was a more personal and far less revolutionary as Trapsoul. Many fans believed that Tiller was trying to emulate his original sound from the Trapsoul project, and thus may have been to his detriment. Nonetheless, True to Self showcased more of his lyrical prowess as a storyteller as we see Tiller rap far more over heavy bass records, and hi-hat drowning instrumental. He addresses his origins as a young adult growing up in Louisville, Kentucky as well as his struggles of balancing the fame and spotlight of celebrity stardom with his responsibilities of being a father.

Since the release of True to Self, Tiller has been a very selective collaborator, featuring for artists like Playboi Carti, The Game, Rick Ross, Wale, and Summer Walker. In 2018, Tiller released a one-off single titled “Canceled” in September. In 2019, Bryson released another one-off single titled “Blame”, again in September. Will we finally get an album from Pen Griffey this year? Will we have to wait even longer for Tiller to emerge from his hiatus? Will we ever get a full length project from this man again?

Miguel

Last Solo Project: War & Leisure (December 2017)

One of the veterans in the R&B wave, Miguel has flourished throughout the 2010s with his unique sense of soul, rock, and hip-hop mixed instrumentation accompanied by his passionate, smooth, and free-spirited lyrics.

Upon his rise to superstardom, Miguel provided a refreshing and unabashed ballads on his breakout studio release, Kaleidoscope Dream (2012). A project filled with positive vibes, bubbly production, and star-studded appearances from rappers like Wiz Khalifa and Kendrick Lamar, Kaleidoscope Dream became the benchmark of expectation when listeners thought about Miguel.

Fast forward three years, and Miguel is back with his third studio project, Wildheart (2015). One of the more experimental takes in his career, Miguel portrays a far more confident and eccentric personality, showing listeners who his true self is rather than conforming to industrial protocol of a Billboard album. A more rock-n-roll and guitar-driven based album, Miguel utilizes the alternative R&B and rock sonic from producers like Cashmere Cat and Benny Blanco, as well as a guest appearance from Lenny Kravitz. Miguel successful displays his wild and charismatic edge he possess as an artist with performances like “Coffee”, and “Simple Things”. A pleasant surprise from Miguel as we saw a side of him that no one ever imagined he had.

Miguel released his fourth studio album, War & Leisure (2017). The project reverts back to his R&B-pop sound with a more psychedelic feel throughout the record. The album addresses the political undertones of American culture, specifically black and latino culture at the time. Miguel provides an aspect of storytelling that is matched with smooth and soulful instrumentation versatile enough to get people on their feet breaking a sweat. More narratives are introduced in the form of guest appearances from J Cole, Kali Uchis, and Rick Ross. The most notable feature was from Travis Scott on the lead single, “Sky Walker”. An upbeat track with a catchy hook, and unapologetic use of auto-tune, “Sky Walker” became a summer anthem leading up to the release of War & Leisure later that year.

Although Miguel has yet to release a full-length project with in the past year and a half, he has been embracing his Latino heritage. Back in 2017, Miguel worked on the song Remember Me, the memorable and heartfelt song for Disney Pixar’s Dia de Muertos film, Coco. Miguel’s Spanish influence continued as he released a Spanish EP titled Te Lo Dije, in April of last year. The EP peaked at number 11 on the Top Latin Albums chart, adding yet another reputable project to Miguel’s discography.

The questions for Miguel now will regard whether he will remain creative in his Spanish inspiration, or return to the mainstream with his English vocals. Even then, what chapter is the 34-year-old songwriter facing? Many questions and hopefully some answers will surface for the Los Angeles native.

Masego

Last Solo Project: Lady Lady (September 2018)

Debatably the most unknown and enigmatic artist on this list, Masego has carved himself a solid start to his career. The once local Virginia musician is not only due for a project this upcoming year, but is also seeking for recognition as he has an opportunity to break forward into the mainstream. His incredible ability to play the saxophone, mixed with bulky bass and percussion productions makes for an engagement he calls “Trap House Jazz”.

Masego first stepped into the scene at mass with a joint-commercial EP The Pink Polo (2016) with electric hip-house producer, Medasin. The project features a mix of groovy tracks that makes listeners want to show off their herky-jerky rhythm while bouncing to the high paced, body controlling tempo.

Just three months later, Masego gave fans more with his another EP titled Loose Thoughts (2016). The EP displays an even more playful side of Masego’s personality while still being intimate with his audience through his instrumental cuts. A more organic productions style, Loose Thoughts displays Masego as a charismatic, humorous, and charming character that exemplifies confidence without cockiness.

His latest solo project was his first studio album, Lady Lady (2018). The album tackles the narrative of his lust for nightlife and devious activities while searching for the woman of his dreams, Lady Lady spotlights the depth of Masego’s melodic arsenal. His vocal range to hit both the highest of highs and the sea level of lows, while keeping his audience interested in the picture he is painting shows how versatile he is on the mic. Thats only half his equation. Masego keeps showing his production value as his saxophone makes a number of appearances throughout the project. A real milestone for Masego as Lady Lady signified his evolution as an artist the more he gains experience in the music market.

Around the time of the release of Lady Lady, Masego began to form relationships and work with more artists around the hip-hop and R&B circles. Notable collaborations include tracks JID, Kehlani, SiR, Ari Lennox, FKJ, and Goldlink. He was also spotted in attendance during the production of Dreamville’s Revenge of the Dreamers III (2019).

Masego has made is fair share of contributions to hip-hop as not only a vocalist, but a producer as well. Although he did not make an appearance on the compilation album, expect him to appear on an upcoming project from a Dreamville signee as either a vocalist or a producer.

With the summer heating things up in everyone’s household, a new project from Masego would become a blessing from the skies. Not only has it been nearly two years since the release of his debut album, his style of R&B fits perfectly with the sun-blazing climate. With Masego manning the current style of jazz and hip-hop fusion, how will be the next brass-vocal project sound? Most importantly, will it come sooner or later?

SZA

Last Solo Project: CTRL (June 2017)

The queen of TDE has been flying under the radar for quite sometime now. Solana has flown on airplane mode, seemingly keeping her recorded work under careful surveillance. SZA did however made waves in April of this year as she was one of the main acts of a benefit concert for the COVID-19 pandemic. Her at home performance reminded all of us how much pure talent and knack for the theatrics SZA has in the Hip-Hop and R&B world.

SZA released her debut studio album CTRL (2017). An album that highlights the adoption of leadership within SZA’s own personal life. In an interview on local New York radio station Hot 92.3 on the Breakfast Club show, SZA explained how CTRL was a project that summarizes her initiative to take full autonomy of her life and her career as an artists, while still supporting and representing TDE. 

The title in of itself is a symbolic gesture that analogizes the way she processes and digests the energy of her life and translates it towards her passion of creation. CTRL is an explosive, poignant, and resonating body of work that showcases SZA’s soft, seductive demeanor without sacrificing the aggressive, assertive, and contagious feminist perspective. The elegant melodies matched with high-paced drums and suspension breaking bass not only followed the modern criteria of female R&B, it also added depth to the stereotypical image of a female performer. A more well-rounded, intelligent, and sophisticated angel, as opposed to a drop-dead gorgeous, catchy, and hyper-sexualized individual.

SZA would make her way onto the mainstream circuit as she worked with pop artists like Maroon 5 and DJ Khalid in both 2017 and 2019 respectively. Her voice also blessed the sound waves of a number of on-screen airings of Game of Thrones (2019) and the Black Panther (2018) as she featured in both soundtracks.

SZA in an interview with Rolling Stone addressed her progress as an artists and her creative process towards her second studio album. She mentions her deep work and admiration for the famous beatmaker, Timbaland. SZA hinted that her sessions with Timbaland have heavily involved Brazilian jazz sounds as the backbone for her recordings.

A myriad of interesting work has been released from TDE over the past few months. Singles from Isaiah Rashad, SiR, and Reason have anchored the trend of TDE music. But nothing has yet to be released from arguably, the two hottest artists from the label, them being Kendrick Lamar and SZA herself. We’ll see what will come into fruition by the end of the year.

Frank Ocean

Last Solo Project: Blonde (August 2016)

Seems like every year people are looking to see when Frank Ocean will return from the shadows to stop the world and drop a long awaited project. The case happened in 2016 with Frank dropping not one, but two projects a day apart from one another, albeit one being a soundtrack more than an album. Nonetheless, Frank did not disappoint after his near four year silence at the time. Endless (2016) was Ocean’s visual-album release that initially had fans scratching their heads almost to the point of heavy questioning Frank’s seriousness to his craft. It wasn’t until the very next day that Frank silenced all his critics with a masterpiece.

Blonde (2016) is the second studio release by the former Odd Future standout. The album is an ethereal experience with its organic and minimalist instrumentation matched with a voice that sounds blessed from the heavens above. Ocean uses his voice, humor, and personality to carry the bulk of this project, relying less on synthesized production and more on an acoustic atmosphere. It can be argued that Ocean’s approach to Blonde was taken with far more gospel influence as oppose to the trend of modern and contemporary R&B.

The release of his two albums in 2016 follows the release of his breakout debut studio album, Channel Orange (2012). Channel Orange, in comparison to Blonde, is a far more energetic and sonically diverse project with soulful production alongside features from rappers and lyrics like Andre 3000 and fellow Odd Future alumni Earl Sweatshirt.

Channel Orange was not only a notable feat in Frank’s career. It opened the doors for Ocean to work with top mainstream artists as he wrote for Beyonce, and was featured in Watch the Throne, the famous joint-collaborative project from Kanye West and Jay-Z.

Just earlier this year, Ocean released two singles titled “Dear April”, and “Cayendo” earlier in 2020. “Dear April” is a ballad devoting his love to a significant other whom their relationship will never be the same. “Cayendo” on the other hand is Ocean’s take on an emotional track sung in Spanish. A clear signal of experimentation from Frank coming in the form of “Cayendo”. Just a few months prior, Frank dropped “DHL” and “In My Room” that featured similar cover art, hinting that a project is on the horizon for the Blonded label. “DHL” is a synthesized record with a fun and upbeat flow from Frank, while “In My Room” demands more movement in the form of dancing from the instrumentation of Brazilian influenced producer, Sango. The master of disappearance has been making a statement these past couple of months. Let’s see if the world will stop again for Frank Ocean in 2020… Not due to COVID-19 or racial police brutalities.