R&B Waves from Across the Pond
Rhythm and Blues is going through a deeply transformative period. With SZA and Brent Faiyaz being the prevailing voices of the genre since the late 2010s, and industry veterans such as P. Diddy claiming that R&B ain’t got no heart no more there’s been a serious discussion around this generation’s ability to sing about the ups, downs, and turn arounds of heart-wrenching love and everyday struggle.
Lost in the shuffle of this discourse is the rising tide of U.K.-based artists whose hearts bleed out with the ink of their pens and voices captivate with the raw emotion they hold along each note.
Lizzie Berchie
East Londoner Lizzie Berchie has a voice the equivalent of liquid gold, which easily burns through the thoughtless claims of R&B’s new generation lacking hearty vocalists. Berchie’s Am I an Adult Yet? EP is her best effort yet with a heavy jazz influence coloring tracks like “We Found Love” and “I Hope.”
FLo
Already enjoying success in North America, FLO is the next girl group up. Comprised of Jorga Douglas, Reneé Downer, and Stella Quaresma, the trio seamlessly harmonize on their breakout single “Cardboard Box.” Boasting a co-sign from famed R&B producer and emcee Missy Elliot, FLO’s first LP will be a must hear.
Natanya
Natanya’s Instagram feed will catch the eye of any fashion lover. With a distinctive edgy-femme look and a lofty voice, the piano-playing songstress is ready to make her mark with her debut EP Sorrow at Sunrise, out this Friday. Her debut is highly anticipated as her mid-tempo single “Tomorrow Raining” has already found its way onto the U.K.‘s best and fresh R&B playlists. The soulful British Trinidadian includes the likes of Janis Joplin, Stevie Wonder, and Amy Winehouse, among her musical inspirations so Natanya is surely one to watch.
Nia Chennai
Nia Chennai is expanding the Neo-Soul sound cemented by iconic acts like Erykah Badu and Jill Scott to suit the experimental essence of the 2020s. Her poetic approach to music keeps her accent perceptible through song. With a voice that naturally compliments twangy string instruments and a fully hands-on approach to getting her music career off the ground, Nia Chennai is carving out her own lane.
Essosa
Essosa got her first taste of modern success when the sped-up version of her single “Waste My Time” became a favorite on TikTok. The original version of the single is worth a listen, allowing Essosa’s thick vocals to fill up space between the low bassline and sharp drum pad. With plans to become an icon in the arenas of Pop and R&B, Essosa’s follow-up to “Waste My Time” is unlikely to disappoint.
Cleo Sol
An exceptional modern mixture of Soul and Spiritual, Cleo Sol’s healing voice has been the light in the dark for many since the 2020 release of her debut album Rose in the Dark. At the time of writing Cleo Sol is mere days away from releasing her fourth studio album, Gold. The announcement of Gold came as a shock to Sol’s fans considering just two weeks prior Cleo dropped another LP, Heaven. Considering that Heaven is only nine tracks, it is possible that Gold will serve as the former’s B-side.
Summer Banton
Summer Banton is starting to heat up. Consistently releasing music since 2019, “Be My Guest” is Banton’s best effort yet. With a background in musical theatre and an adoration for old-school R&B, Banton has been sharpening her pen and developing her vocal production so that she can stand out in London’s rather large music scene. The young musician can only go up from this point.
