It’s #Musicmonday and I want to share with you five R&B artists that aren’t as well known as they should be. I hear people say R&B is dead and they miss the 90s music. Well, I’m here to say that R&B music is not dead, it’s just different. Just like when we were young, our parents also felt that the music we grew to love was just not it. Music evolves just like life, it changes over time. The way we find music is so different now, so if you aren’t actively looking for new artists you may miss out on some gems. Have no fear, let me put you on some game.
Tone Stith-He is one of my faves. I was first introduced to Tone in 2017 through Drake’s Instagram, where he showed Tone Stith doing a cover of his song Madiba Riddim. Do yourself a favor and listen to it. It is 10 times better than the original which is more Caribbean, while Tone puts a beautiful R&B spin on it. I used to listen to it everyday. One of my favorite songs by him is Miss California on his debut album Can We Talk which I happen to love from front to back. Tone is also an accomplished song writer and is best known for co-writing Chris Brown’s “Liquor” and “Make love,” on his Royalty project in 2014. In 2018, he put out an EP called Good Company. He has some big features on there, but I have to say I enjoy Tone all by himself. Tone pays homage to 90s R&B while giving us a fresh sound. I love his voice. Check his original songs and covers out on his Youtube. His latest song Black Magic that he put out originally for Tik Tok over the summer is a slept on gem. I wish he would put it on the radio and all streaming platforms because it is a true song of empowerment. Be on the lookout for Tone Stith he is definitely the future of R&B. source: https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tone-stith-mn0003734162/biography
Candice Boyd-I was first introduced to her from Terrell Grice’s YouTube channel. You can view her episode here. He had her on as a guest and I was mesmerized. She definitely has an old soul and gives us the 90s vibe. She is also featured on Terrell Grice’s album with her song “Dance” ft. Kate Stewart and Saraya J and it's a fave of mine on that album. Candice is best known for being the runner up on “The Four,” in season one which I had never watched. You can view her performances on the show here. She is listed on Nicki Minaj’s Pinkprint album for her background vocals. She is also featured on a song with Tank called “Good Thing,” I would have loved to hear her on more of the song because she elevates it as soon as she comes on. I would be remissed not to mention her Weekend Remix or her cover of Janet Jackson’s I get so lonely, I mean sis is Westside all day long and I am here for it. Candice, unfortunately has never put out a complete project, but you can find her on YouTube singing her original music and covers. On top of all of her musical accomplishments her personality is bomb and she gives me homegirl vibes. I look forward to hearing more from Candice. source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=candice+boyd&go=Go&ns0=1
Avery Wilson-Yet another artist that Terrell Grice introduced me to, he has been on the show multiple times. You can view his first episode here, which by the way he looks so young! Avery is featured twice on Terrell’s album with covers of “Can we talk” and “Rock with you” ft. Sonna, both are so good. Avery is best known for being on season 3 of the “The Voice.” He also did background vocals for Christina Aguilera on tour. They posted a duet on social media and just wow. Listen yall, this man can sing the phone book and I would listen like, what song is this. His range is AMAZING! This man is pure R&B and he is obviously one of my faves. Avery has put out two EP’s and you need to hear both of them. The first one is FYI from 2018 and he wrote all the songs and did his own background vocals. My favorite song from that EP is Dollar Bill, I mean it’s too good. The other EP is 8:34 and every single song is a bop and transports me to the 90s. It’s hard to pick a favorite on that one but it may be a tie between Callin and Reckless. I ain’t gone hold yall, but I have worn that EP out. I’m telling you, even your momma would like Avery. You can check his original songs and covers out on Youtube. source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avery_Wilson#Discography
Tink-Her song “Treat me like somebody” took the world by storm in 2014 and introduced us to this woman with a big yet unique voice. Tink’s mixtape “Winter’s Diary 2” was featured on Billboard and Rolling stone and her success was honored by XXL naming her as part of the Freshman class in 2015. Tink is a triple threat because she raps, sings, and writes music. Think a female Drake, but with a better singing voice. I don’t know of a successful singing rapper besides Lauryn Hill and I believe that may have hindered her. She was eventually signed to Timbaland’s label, where she put out the single “Million” but they were unable to agree on putting out the final project which led to her asking to be freed from her contract. Her creative outlet is music so she continued to put out music as she went through her legal issues, but unfortunately she lost momentum. She is now currently independent and has put out a total of 7 mixtapes. In Feb 2020 Tink put out her first album “Hopeless Romantic” and it is an excellent first project because I can play it all the way through. My favorite song though is “Cum get it,” for some reason it makes me feel young. It’s a mid tempo song and feels like something young Eb, would have been feeling. The whole album is more contemporary R&B and is a peek into the future. You can follow her YouTube here, take out some time to go STAN because not only is this Queen’s voice beautiful, but so is she. I hope that Tink is able to find her way in the music industry and is able to bless more people with her unique voice.
Vedo-I can’t remember exactly how I found Vedo, either way I am here for his music. He is another more contemporary R&B artist, who gives me Chris Brown and Eric Bellinger vibes. He prides himself on his pen game and has written for Chris Brown, Lil Dicky, Usher and Ella Mai and several more. Some fans may know him from season 4 of the Voice (2013), where he was on Team Usher. He was eliminated during the live shows. Vedo has been putting out music steadily since 2015 and has 4 full albums “93,” “From Now on,” “Vedo,” and his most recent album “For You.” This summer he had his biggest single yet from his “For You” album with “You Got it,” a song empowering women to boss up. With the help of Tik Tok it blew up and introduced him to a new audience. I like the entire album but my stand out faves are “Queen Vibes” and “Yvette“ ft. Inayah Lamis who is a beast herself. Vedo is also known for his “V-Mixes” where he basically remixes popular songs with new words. These are gold and I know they helped him gain some popularity. His sound is more of what we hear on the radio, but his lyricism is what hooks me. You can check all of his music out on Youtube. sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Voice_(American_season_4) and https://www.instagram.com/vedothesinger/?hl=en
I have several more artists that I can share, but I will save it for another post. Take some time and check out these artists. They have their own flair and add to the great genre of R&B. Do you listen to any artists that aren’t as well known? Let me know in the comments below.
