http://www.thisisrnb.com/2018/03/thisisrnb-presents-2018-freshman-rb-class/
By ThisisRnB on Mar 22, 2018
Welcome to a new era of R&B!
This is the first ever R&B freshman list. In the past we’ve done ‘Artists to Watch’ style lists which in a way is similar, but this concept is in the vein of XXL Magazine’s famed Freshman issue. It’s well known the publication focuses primarily on Hip Hop, in fact, their freshman issues only started highlighting R&B acts in 2014 with August Alsina and Ty Dolla $ign. Since then they have featured Raury (2015) and Anderson .Paak (2016), both of whom are more cross-genre than R&B artists. We’ve always wanted to do this on some level, but there’s no better time than now to get it started!
The list came together quite simply when we decided it would be only 10 artists. If we had this list active last year some of these acts probably would have been on it, so they won’t be surprising or unknown to many. This isn’t about the fresh up-and-comers that we are hedging bets on. These artists are all fully relevant now with dedicated followings and mainstream potential or solidified success. Each of these artists have projects or multiple projects already out, and are either just coming off breakout debuts or are prepping their official debut album for this year. They are all artists that are carrying R&B strongly and with pride into the new generation. Each bring something fresh to music today and should be on your radar.
In addition to summaries about the artists and one featured video, there is a playlist at the end. Get into the 2018 Freshman R&B Class below!
By ThisisRnB on Mar 22, 2018
Welcome to a new era of R&B!
This is the first ever R&B freshman list. In the past we’ve done ‘Artists to Watch’ style lists which in a way is similar, but this concept is in the vein of XXL Magazine’s famed Freshman issue. It’s well known the publication focuses primarily on Hip Hop, in fact, their freshman issues only started highlighting R&B acts in 2014 with August Alsina and Ty Dolla $ign. Since then they have featured Raury (2015) and Anderson .Paak (2016), both of whom are more cross-genre than R&B artists. We’ve always wanted to do this on some level, but there’s no better time than now to get it started!
The list came together quite simply when we decided it would be only 10 artists. If we had this list active last year some of these acts probably would have been on it, so they won’t be surprising or unknown to many. This isn’t about the fresh up-and-comers that we are hedging bets on. These artists are all fully relevant now with dedicated followings and mainstream potential or solidified success. Each of these artists have projects or multiple projects already out, and are either just coming off breakout debuts or are prepping their official debut album for this year. They are all artists that are carrying R&B strongly and with pride into the new generation. Each bring something fresh to music today and should be on your radar.
In addition to summaries about the artists and one featured video, there is a playlist at the end. Get into the 2018 Freshman R&B Class below!
Jorja Smith
Easily one of R&B’s most promising up-and-comer’s, the British singer, who’s caught the eye of everyone from Drake to Stormzy, feels like a breath of fresh air. At only 20 years old, Jorja Smith sings as though she’s lived a thousand lives, yet still delivers listeners a youthful perspective that is both current and familiar. Her first song “Blue Lights” was released on Soundcloud in 2016, which introduced her soulful vocals to the world and gained her praises from Drake.
Smith followed a string of one-off tracks with her debut EP, Project 11, in late 2016. The concise, yet impactful body of work effortlessly branded her as a soulful storyteller and solidified her as the leader of the new wave of R&B acts breaking from across the pond. After releasing “Let Me Down” feat. Stormzy in January, we’re beyond excited to hear her debut album coming some time later this year. – Jamila Wright
H.E.R.
Back in 2014, BET released BET Presents Music Matters, Vol. 1. The project was a continuation of the network’s “Music Matters” initiative, through which they highlight emerging artists in hip-hop and R&B. The compilation included artists who were either just coming into their own at the time, or building on recent success – artists like Elle Varner, Melanie Fiona, Miguel, and The Internet, to name a few.
Track two on that compilation was “Prove,” an upbeat cut from a young lady named Gabi Wilson that featured a smooth flip of The Isley Brothers’ “Between The Sheets.” In 2015, Wilson would collab with producer Swagg R’Celious on a cover of Drake’s “Jungle” single. And then, Gabi Wilson disappeared.
In September 2016, however, a “Jungle (Remix)” that was eerily similar to Gabi’s surfaced on an EP, H.E.R., Vol. 1, released by a then-unknown singer from RCA Records deemed simply “H.E.R.” Vol. 1 was a gorgeous collection of vulnerable music, ranging from the defeated in love “Losing” to the seductively-pleading “Focus.” Smooth melodies, coupled with lyrics like “I haven’t had enough practice – all the ones before you were just a mistake and not a distraction,” resonated with listeners and caused H.E.R.’s star to rise meteorically.
She released H.E.R., Vol. 2, last summer. And in September of last year, she shared H.E.R.,Vol. 2: The B-Sides, before turning around combining both volumes into a complete project on all streaming formats with bonus tracks to match. She’s been on tour twice: first, as part of Bryson Tiller’s “Set It Off Tour” with Metro Boomin’; and secondly – and currently – solo as part of her “Lights On Tour.” H.E.R. in concert is an experience all in itself, as the singer is known to join her live band and play her own keys and acoustic guitar during certain songs.
H.E.R. as an acronym breaks down as “Having Everything Revealed,” though her trademark is keeping her identity hidden. Her live performances employ colored lighting and shadow, and her hair is almost always worn to where it covers her face. And while H.E.R. may be a part of the recent trend of anonymous artists in R&B, she stands apart because her voice is hypnotic and her lyrics are sincere. Whether H.E.R. sings about breaking up, making up, or giving up, her fans are captivated by every word. And going into 2018, as her “Lights On Tour” begins wrapping up, hopes are high that the singer-songwriter’s official LP is on the way and that another September will bring with it more honest R&B from H.E.R. – Bradford Howard
Ella Mai
What do you get when you mix an ex X-Factor UK contestant with DJ Mustard beats? You get to witness the rise of Ella Mai with her dope trilogy of EPs. This young lady hailing from London, England has made quite the splash for herself after being discovered by one of the West Coast’s finest on Instagram. After signing with 10 Summers and Mustard, she released her first single “She Don’t” feat. Ty Dolla $ign, and instantly it was a certified bop.
Following “She Don’t,” Ella has released 3 EPs, ‘Time,’ ‘Ready’ and ‘Change’. Each release follows her as she learns how to love, let go, and grow while simultaneously finding her own voice. She ended 2017 on a high note as one of the openers for Kehlani’s “SweetSexySavage Tour” and by dropping the first single from her album “Naked.” Ella’s honesty and youthful take on R&B helps her stand out among the rest, as we patiently await the release of her debut album. – Jamila Wright
Sabrina Claudio
There was a time when “the Soundcloud artist” was kind of a joke. Soundcloud was assumed to be a space where mostly indies shared music and mixtapes… although the occasional leaked track was known to spring up on Soundcloud before it appeared anywhere else. In recent years, though, thanks to the industry’s hunger for new talent and Soundcloud’s impressive algorithm that chooses perfect companion tracks, Soundcloud has earned its respect. So, too, have the artists that use it as their platform, especially if they’re R&B. Sabrina Claudio is the most shining example of “the Soundcloud artist” in 2018: someone with a voice enchanting enough to prick up anyone’s ears and attract the masses quickly.
Claudio used Soundcloud to independently release her debut EP, Confidently Lost, in early 2017, after building a following by way of her tracks “Orion’s Belt” and “Confidently Lost” gaining traction on YouTube. Confidently Lost affirmed what Claudio’s fans already knew and convinced new listeners of what they hadn’t been aware of – that the Miami-born songbird was a can’t miss talent. The fall of 2017 brought with it a mixtape, About Time, a lush and layered R&B project carried almost entirely by Claudio’s light and lovely vocals. With an assist from 6LACK on her “Belong To You (Remix)” and a placement on the recent Fifty Shades Freed soundtrack earlier this year, Sabrina has many eyes keeping a lookout for her official debut album. – Bradford Howard
Brent Faiyaz
No two paths are equal, but rising singer/songwriter Brent Faiyaz is certainly following a unique one. Introduced to us two years ago with the songs “Invite Me” and “Poison,” the Maryland native was an underground songwriter at the time, grinding between Charlotte, NC and Los Angeles. He quickly followed through with the buzz-worthy EP A.M. Paradox, which landed him in the graces of “alternative R&B”‘s rising elite. Then, in the middle of his solo emergence, Brent began promoting a trio named Sonder, which includes himself and musicians/producers Dpat and Atu. The move was curious but the music was just as intriguing, and the two singles that followed would proper Faiyaz even further.
Sonder’s “Too Fast” was first released in the fall of 2016, but is still growing in popularity. However, teaming up with rapper Goldlink would actually turn to gold with the Grammy-nominated “Crew.” While that single was just growing, Sonder would release Into, their debut EP, to underground fanfare. At the time it was anyone’s guess if Brent Faiyaz was focusing more on the group or his own solo material, but it was clear he was just doing both. In the fall of 2017 he would surprise his growing fan base with the release of his debut indie album Sonder Son. Just recently wrapping up his first headlining tour, Brent Faiyaz is currently leading the underground R&B wave. Wise beyond his 22 years, the artist’s chest tattoo sums up his creative practices. “I don’t think art is propaganda,” reads a quote from artist Keith Haring that runs from shoulder to shoulder. “It should be something that liberates the soul. Provokes the imagination and encourages people to go further.” – Jamie Wexler
