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Sometimes the best new R&B can be hard to find, but there are plenty of great rhythm-and-blues tunes to get into if you have the time to sift through the hundreds of newly released songs every week. So that R&B heads can focus on listening to what they really love in its true form, we’ll be offering a digest of the best new R&B songs that fans of the genre should hear every Friday.

Since the last update of this weekly R&B and Afrobeats column, we’ve received plenty of music and news from the genre’s artists.

SZA signed on as a headliner for the 2023 Made In America festival which also features Miguel and Tems while Victoria Monet took another step closer to Jaguar II with “On My Mama,” a record for the ladies. Normani previewed her “Candy Paint” single in a new Bose commercial and Pharrell named Rihanna the first star of his campaign as Louis Vuitton’s men’s creative director. Elsewhere, Uproxx caught up with Kiana Ledé to discuss her new album Grudges.

Kiana Ledé — Grudges

It took three long years, but Kiana Ledé is back with her sophomore album Grudges. It’s an incredibly honest and vulnerable account of the men and relationships that have frustrated her and how she worked through those feelings. She does it across 17 songs with help from Ella Mai, Bryson Tiller, Khalid, and more.

Phabo — Don’t Get Too Cozy

One of R&B’s best and most authentic gifts in Phabo is back with his second project Don’t Get Too Cozy. Phabo’s trademark cool, confident, and slick demeanor is splattered all over the project’s 18 songs that build a foundation on neo-soul while incorporating aspects of contemporary R&B for a body of work that makes you forget a skip button exists.

Ambré — Who’s Loving You?

Last summer, Ambré gifted us with her 3000° EP, and a year removed from that project’s release, she’s back with another EP, Who’s Loving You? With 5 songs to its name, Ambré picks up where she left off — quite literally thanks to a part two of “Drake & Drive” — with help from Mack Keane.

Alex Isley & Ernie Isley — “Brown Eyed Girl”

Alex Isley’s new record “Brown Eyed Girl” with her father Ernie Isley is one you might’ve thought would’ve happened earlier, but its release on Father’s Day weekend makes it perfect timing. The tender and lightweight song captures the beauty of a perfect love and all the feelings that swirl around it.

ASTN & Alex Vaughn — “How Soon”

Singers ASTN and Alex Vaughn join forces for what is truly beautiful record with their new release, “How Soon.” The song picks up in the aftermath of a breakup as both ASTN and Vaughn ponder when they begin to move on from the pain of a past relationship, especially when their next romance appears to be an upgrade.

Asake — Work Of Art

Just nine months removed from his stellar debut album Mr. Money With The Vibe, Asake is back with his second full-length body of work thanks to Work Of Art. With amapiano-driven production and his trademark spirituality by his side, Asake proves that he is far from a one-album wonder.

Ckay — Sad Romance

Less than a year after delivering his Sad Romance album, CKay is back with its deluxe reissue featuring 4 additional songs. Two of the songs are the previously-released singles “Nwayi” and “Hallelujah” with Blaqbonez. The remaining records are two new collaborations: “Capture My Soul” with Joeboy and “Come Close” with Ayra Starr.

Omah Lay — Boy Alone (Deluxe)

Omah Lay also joined the deluxe reissue wave by re-upping his debut album Boy Alone. Six additional songs were added to the original album which was one of the best afrobeats releases in 2022 thanks to “Bend You,” “Woman,” and “I’m A Mess.”

Raahiim — “Too Good”

It’s only a matter of time before Toronto singer Raahiim returns with his upcoming third project. The follow-up to 2020’s ii KNEW BETTER is led by “Spin The Block,” “Outside Freestyle,” and now “Too Good.” His latest record is an honest message to a lover who he believes is ruining their relationship.

Jahkoy — “Man On Fire”

Four months after his third project Healing Phase, Toronto singer Jahkoy is back with his latest single, “Man On Fire.” It’s a sultry number that shows off his vocal abilities and Jahkoy sings about the burgeoning love and passion he feels about a woman in their growing relationship.

Kali Claire & Jaz Karis — “I Want You”

After releasing “Before The World Ends” this past spring, singer Kali Claire is back with “I Want You” alongside Jaz Karis. The record is a warm and honest one as the singers lay their cards out to confess their love to a new partner.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

On Sunday word broke that a small submersible containing five people had gone missing during a trip to visit the wreckage of the RMS Titanic. As of this writing, the vessel, operated by the company OceanGate, was still AWOL. There’s a good chance this could end in tragedy. The incident has inevitably got people thinking of James Cameron, director of the 1997 blockbuster Titanic and who’s done the same dive, successfully, 33 times. Some even dug up an old interview in which he warned people not to take deep sea trips lightly.

As per Mediaite, Cameron spoke with The New York Times all the way back in 2012, after he descended into the Mariana trench — the deepest part of the planet’s oceans, nearly seven terrifying miles down. Cameron was prepared: He’d teamed with leading scientists, a retired Navy officer, and other experts. He also took up yoga so he could spend some nine hours largely immobile.

His vessel, which descended vertically, was also tricked out with all manner of life-saving backup tools. Before his mission to the deepest oceanic trench on Earth, he took numerous test runs. He was nothing if not safe — while doing something that’s potentially suicidal.

“You’re going into one of the most unforgiving places on earth,” Cameron said. “It’s not like you can call up AAA to come get you.”

Cameron’s words sting even more given that OceanGate reportedly didn’t heed safety concerns. Some pointed out that the filmmaker consulted with scientists more than the OceanGate folks apparently had.

Or maybe the tourists — who paid $250,000 a person for the possibly doomed trip — should have just gone to Cameron instead.

After all, Cameron has done this thing right.

https://twitter.com/AChillGhost/status/1671635637542240256

Some wondered what Cameron is thinking about all this.

And some shared the strange story about Cameron emerging from one deep dive trip in 2001, only to learn about the September 11 attacks.

Cameron spoke further about the safety required for deep sea trips back in 2018 to Rolling Stone Australia.

“I call it bearing witness. I get to bear witness to a miracle that’s down there all the time,” he said. “This is not just some, you know rich guy ego thing. This is about, you’ve got so much time on this planet, so much life, so much breath in your body. You have to do something. If you should be fortunate enough to make some money and have some capital, some working capital, why not put it into your dream.”

In the meantime, here’s hoping that this ends on a happy note.

(Via Mediaite)

On the June 20th episode of “America’s Got Talent,” a group called the Freedom Singers brought the house down with what Howie Mandel called “more than” just an audition and something that was actually “needed.”

The eight singers forming the group hail from “Skid Row,” a 54-block neighborhood in downtown Los Angeles known for having one of the largest communities of unhoused people in the country.

These core members, formerly unhoused themselves, came together in the Arts and Culture department at the Los Angeles Community Action Network (LA CAN), an organization dedicated to helping individuals in Skid Row and beyond.

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“Skid Row is in the heart of downtown Los Angeles where five people per day die on the streets, houseless people. So, for us, Freedom Singing brings us close together; it is that medium that we’ve always used to come together as America,” one of the male singers explained.

One of the female singers described her and her mother’s “traumatizing” experience of being unhoused on Skid Row, having all of her personal belongings being taken away by city officials and “being left with nothing.” Finding the Freedom Singers and LA CAN became the “blessing” that helped her rebuild.

The founder of the group, Micayla De Ette, then told judges that the Freedom Singers represent not only those who are unhoused, but also those who are in transitional housing and those who have lost people on the streets.

“And so when we see someone on the street, I want to encourage you not to look the other way,” she said.

The group then performed a soulful, gospel rendition of “Under the Bridge” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The hit song, originally a poem written by RHCP lead singer Anthony Kiedis, depicts a low point in his life during substance abuse recovery and even refers to an unspecified bridge in downtown Los Angeles—making the choice of song all the more poignant.

With angelic harmonies and soaring solos, the Freedom Singers truly made the song their own, not only bringing all four judges to their feet but moving host Terry Crews to tears.

“All your voices together harmonize so beautiful, and I want to thank you,” said Crews, his voice breaking with emotion. “I want to thank you so much for what you do for the community, for what you do for so many people. I am completely touched right now.”

Earning four “yes” votes, the Freedom Singers will move on to the next round as Season 18 of “America’s Got Talent” continues. But they’ve already succeeded in sharing their powerful message.

It’s been nearly five years since dream pop pioneers Beach Fossils dropped their last album, 2017’s effort Somersault, which traded in their signature hazy guitars for buoyant keys and lush arrangements. But with their latest album Bunny, the band veered back towards their shoegazey roots with dreamy guitars drenched in reverb on tracks like “Don’t Fade Away” and “Dare Me.”

Beneath the gauzy chords lie disarmingly honest lyrics. “This is the first record where I’ve consciously thought about writing a chorus,” vocalist Dustin Payseur said in a statement. Throughout the album, he reflects on family health scares, fatherhood, depression, and losing friends, resulting in Beach Fossils most poignant project to date.

To celebrate the release of their new album Bunny, Payseur sits down with Uproxx to talk Michael Jordan, Brian Eno, and thinking too much about tattoos in our latest Q&A.

What are four words you would use to describe your music?

Live laugh love etc.

It’s 2050 and the world hasn’t ended and people are still listening to your music. How would you like it to be remembered?

As one of the bands of all time.

What’s your favorite city in the world to perform?

St. Elmo, Colorado.

Who’s the person who has most inspired your work, and why?

Michael Jordan, for showing me that I could never make it as a basketball player and that I should try something else.

Where did you eat the best meal of your life?

Athens, Greece.

What album do you know every word to?

Brian Eno’s Ambient 1: Music For Airports.

What was the best concert you’ve ever attended?

Gumby on ice.

What is the best outfit for performing and why?

Clothing optional.

Who’s your favorite person to follow on Twitter and/or Instagram?

Mark Zuckerberg.

What’s your most frequently played song in the van on tour?

Ralph Tresvant’s “Sensitivity.”

What’s the last thing you Googled?

“How to do an interview.”

What album makes for the perfect gift?

An album that somebody already owns so they get to go back and exchange it for the one they really want.

Where’s the weirdest place you’ve ever crashed while on tour?

A carpet covered in old milk.

What’s the story behind your first or favorite tattoo?

I thought about it too much and that’s why it’s my least favorite.

What artists keep you from flipping the channel on the radio?

Bach.

What’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?

Bought me SpongeBob balloons for my birthday.

What’s one piece of advice you’d go back in time to give to your 18-year-old self?

It’ll be okay.

What’s the last show you went to?

Beach Fossils.

What movie can you not resist watching when it’s on TV?

Son Of The Mask.

What’s one of your hidden talents?

I’m really good at changing the temperature on my hot water heater.

Bunny is out now via Bayonet Records. Find more information here.

Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert used to be besties. And why not? They were both elected to the House of Representatives at the same time, they’re both MAGA extremists, and they both like heckling Joe Biden. But things have not been copasetic with them since at least late last year. There was that bathroom squabble in January. Now their beef has gone next level.

As per The Daily Beast, on Wednesday Greene and Boebert got into a little spat on the House floor. The two have dueling resolutions to get Biden impeached — or at least hold a vote that will almost certainly fail miserably. Boebert won: After leveraging a procedural tool, she managed to schedule a forced vote that will be held in the next few days. Greene was not pleased that Boebert got her impeachment vote through first, and so she reportedly called her ex-pal a “little b*tch.”

The tussle was caught by C-SPAN cameras, but three sources filled the Beast in on what was said. Boebert allegedly approached Greene about “statements you made about me publicly.” Sources claim Greene claimed that Boebert “copied my articles of impeachment.” Boebert shot back that she hadn’t even read her resolution.

All three sources said things go so bad that Greene called Boebert a “b*tch.” One of them said she actually called her a “little b*tch.” One of them, a GOP lawmaker, said they “heard Marjorie call Boebert a b*tch right to her face.”

The fight ended dramatically:

“OK, Marjorie, we’re through,” Boebert then said, shrugging her shoulders.

With Boebert’s back turned, Greene responded: “We were never together.”

Earlier in the day, Boebert seemed to be on Greene’s side, retweeting her support of impeachment. “It’s our responsibility to be the check and balance for this rogue administration,” Boebert wrote on Twitter. “As a mom and as a Representative of the United States of America, I am compelled to take action. “ She then thanked Greene for “supporting these articles to impeach Joe Biden.”

Reached for comment on the exchange, Boebert told the Beast, “Marjorie is not my enemy. I came here to protect our children and their posterity. Joe Biden and the Democrats are destroying our country.”

Whatever the case, surely the only response to the ever-escalating Greene-Boebert rift is this: “Let them fight.”

(Via The Daily Beast)

This is a complicated situation.

One of the contract stipulations WGA writers are striking for is a mandatory minimum of writers hired for TV projects — an effort to stave off the potential for producers and studios to fill up the seats with AI bots. Taylor Sheridan, a former character actor turned rare TV scribe who writes entire seasons of Yellowstone and more by himself, is caught in that crossfire.

“The freedom of the artist to create must be unfettered,” Sheridan said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “If they tell me, ‘You’re going to have to write a check for $540,000 to four people to sit in a room that you never have to meet,’ then that’s between the studio and the guild. But if I have to check in creatively with others for a story I’ve wholly built in my brain, that would probably be the end of me telling TV stories.”

Obviously, there’s some strange nuance here. It’s not that Sheridan is blasting the WGA‘s proposed requirements. Sheridan said in the interview that he broadly supports the WGA strike, and it seems like he doesn’t care if the studio is willing to toss in half a mil for writers who won’t actually be writing on the show, but you can see where a studio might take issue with all that. An immovable object and an unstoppable force meeting. If the WGA gets its demands met to safeguard their careers, and studios balk at the idea of paying writers to sit around, Sheridan might find himself heading for greener pastures.

(via The Hollywood Reporter)

Walking Excel spreadsheet David Zaslav has been winning over film fans and critics after his ascension to CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery by shelving completed films, gutting streaming services, and now firing the leadership of Turner Classic Movies. Those fired include executive VP and general manager Pola Changnon; senior VP of programming and content strategy, Charles Tabesh; VP of brand creative and marketing Dexter Fedor; VP of enterprises and strategic partnerships Genevieve McGillicuddy; and director of studio production Anne Wilson. In other words, all the people who made the programming decisions for one of the few remaining bastions of mainstream cinephilia.

The grotesque move — potentially an opening salvo before shuttering the channel completely or turning it into HGTV8 — is one more blow to movies made before 1985 and public film education. TCM is a cultural touchstone still very active in birthing new cinephiles and deepening an appreciation for films of all kinds. It’s also one more item on the chopping block toward the widgetification of art under Zaslav’s leadership.

In fact, Zaslav’s anti-movie decision has united Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, and Paul Thomas Anderson in setting up an emergency call with the CEO to see what can be done to 1) keep the leadership and 2) save TCM. It’s unclear what it might accomplish, but at the very least it looks like Warner Bros. Discovery has made some heavy enemies.

Hilariously, this all comes on the heels of Zaslav claiming that he wants Warner Bros. to be a safe haven for directors — a go-to studio for the best storytellers in the world. How’s that going so far, Mr. Zaslav?

(via IndieWire)

Upworthy earns a percentage of revenue from the purchase of items mentioned in this article.

In today’s throwaway culture, where gifts feel devoid of meaning and often end up collecting dust, an innovative company is shifting gift-giving dynamics from generic, forgettable items to meaningful contributions that foster real, positive change. Packed With Purpose nurtures a positive shift in our gift-giving culture, underlining the potential for presents to carry far more weight than mere objects.

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Packed With Purpose

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The Certified B Corp Bundle: A Gift That Gives Back

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The world awaits word of any discoveries regarding the missing Titanic tourists aboard the OceanGate submersible. Well, everyone besides the stepson of British billionaire Hamish Harding, who decided that a Blink-182 concert was worth attending in the meantime. Then the aforementioned son started beefing with Cardi B, all while information has continued to surface about numerous red flags in the vessel’s previous operations.

A former passenger of OceanGate is now speaking out to further confirm red flags’ existence, and in doing so, 60-year-old Arthur Loibl spoke with Germany’s Bild. Loibl described his experience as akin to a “suicide mission,” for which he paid around $110,000. In 2023, the missing passengers paid $250,000 so yes, inflation is bad. Being stuck in a floating coffin for that price is even worse. Via the New York Post, Loibl offered this insight after one submarine didn’t work, and another dive was abandoned shortly after launch, followed by this mess:

Loibl explained that they ended up launching five hours late due to electrical issues — which he suspects is to blame for the Titan crews’ current predicament.

Not only that but right before the voyage, the bracket of the stabilization tube — which balances the sub — tore and had to be “reattached with zip ties,” he said.

As such, he is praying for the safe return of all parties aboard the sunken sub. “It must be hell down there. There’s only 2.50 meters of space, it’s four degrees, there’s no chair, no toilet,” Loibl described.

By all accounts, the four passengers and one crew member have less than two days’ worth of oxygen remaining. The entire world appears to have sent search-and-rescue assistance, and one can probably expect accounts to keep popping up. One bullet was dodged, however, by 61-year-old Chris Brown, who told The Sun that he nearly set off on a voyage also attended by Hamish Harding, but “[w]e decided the risks were too high in this instance, even though I’m not one to shy away from risk.” Surely, Brown, who had suspicions regarding the “steering apparatus,” is breathing a sigh of relief.

(Via New York Post & The Sun)

The 2023 XXL Freshman Class was revealed today, and many fans who checked it out found themselves with one major question: Where is Ice Spice?

It’s hard to deny that the “Princess Diana” rapper had earned the spot; after her song “Munch” went viral on TikTok last year, she skyrocketed to nationwide ubiquity, such that any woman who had curly orange hair was subjected to calls of “Ice Spice!” from passing teens in public.

She was paired up with Drake via AI, collaborated with Nicki Minaj on the remix of the aforementioned “Princess Diana,” pitted against the 2022 it-girl Latto in a made-up beef by fans of Nicki Minaj, and admitted that even she was shell-shocked by her sudden fame. She even collaborated with Taylor Swift, arguably the biggest pop star on the planet. So…

Why Is Ice Spice Not In The XXL Freshman Class For 2023?

It’s hard to say because Ice Spice herself has yet to address the list herself. But prior lists also had fans up in arms, such as in 2020, when Don Toliver did not appear on the list or even in 2009, the list that coined the “Freshman” terminology, when Drake was overlooked. The next year, Nicki Minaj was also left off. In those cases, there were a variety of reasons given by XXL‘s editorial staff. While they just straight-up whiffed on Drake — sorry, Datwon, you know what you did — Nicki deemed herself too big to be established to be considered a “freshman” in hip-hop in 2010.

Likewise, Don Toliver flat-out declined appearing on the 2020 list because he didn’t want to participate in any of the peripheral content, according to XXL Editor-In-Chief Vanessa Satten. He and Nicki are not the only artists to turn down the honor, either. ASAP Rocky, Juice WRLD, Post Malone, and Young Thug all opted out and all wound up being huge stars anyway. Ice Spice may have turned down the cover because she’s already achieved greater publicity than she believes in can bring or to give that opportunity to artists who may “need” it more, or perhaps she’s just too busy to carve out the time needed for the photo shoot, freestyle, cypher, and tour that accompany it these days.

Either way, she seems to be doing alright without it, and will likely continue to be a star as long as she keeps dropping inescapably catchy songs and getting opportunities like the Barbie soundtrack.