As the face of “the new death row” as dubbed by Snoop Dogg, October London is grabbing the attention of new listeners daily. Since 2016, October London has been working together with Snoop Dogg, but recently has grown in popularity with the release of his album “The Rebirth of Marvin”. The name is rightfully fitting as October has been compared on numerous occasions, to soul music icon, Marvin Gaye. We had the opportunity to speak to October London about everything from meeting/working with Snoop Dogg, branching out into other genres, to his. upcoming 2024 tour along with J. Brown and The Shindellas. Check out the full interview on Youtube as well as on our podcast.

YKIGS: How has it been working with Snoop Dogg?

October London:…He would put my music behind a lot of the shows and just it’s been such an incredible experience to be signed to Snoop, and it’s not the old Death Row anymore. It’s the new Death Row. Me being the lead face of Death Row has been incredible. Snoop called me the other day and was like, Hey, man, I just want to let you know you helped build Death Row to what it is the new Death Row. You know what I’m saying? He just said I was doing a great job. So that made me feel good the other day.Then we decided to drop this Rebirth the Marvin album in February of this year. It was slow. It was a slow burning fire and then it just exploded probably around maybe April or May or something like that. It’s just been just an incredible ride.

YKIGS: How do you feel about to constant Marvin Gaye comparisons?

OL: Well, I feel good. It’s a double edged sword because I feel good that I’m being compared to such a great I mean, just a phenomenal artist like Marvin Gaye. But it also is a little nerve-wrecking because I don’t want anybody to think that I’m trying to fill Marvin Gay’s shoes. Those are shoes that can’t be filled. To hear that, it’s a cringey thing because I’m like, I’m not trying to be him. I just happen to just sound like him a little bit on these records because Snoop plays a lot of old school music throughout his compound, throughout the studio. Just that day he was playing a lot of Marvin and just the vibe came into that studio room where I was and I just did it. I wasn’t trying to fill shoes. I wasn’t trying to sound like him, it would just happen that way. But I appreciate being compared to such a phenomenal artist and the “Rebirth of Marvin” was a title that I didn’t even want to do because it was cringeworthy. I was like, Oh, I don’t want people to think something else or something different. But he [Snoop Dogg] was like, no, man, let’s just go with it.

YKIGS: Do you have a specific genre you want to lean towards for future projects?

OL: I want to tap into everything. I think after this second installment that’s… I keep saying it just because I don’t have a title. After this rebirth of Marvin 2, I want to go in… I think I want to go ’80s. I think I want to go ’80s and then jump from ’80s to ’90s and then from there, going to Latin and all that and just work my way around it. I think the next thing after that is going to be that punk, 70s era. It goes into that ’80s vibe. I think it’s a good segue going into that ’80s vibe and then going ’90s vibe. I want to do that. I just want to jump the right way. I don’t want to go from now to later because it’s just too much. I want to just ease my way into it.

We’re looking forward to everything that October London will be bringing us in 2024!

The post October London On Being The Face of the New Death Row Records, Marvin Gaye Comparisons, Working With Snoop Dogg (Exclusive Interview) appeared first on YouKnowIGotSoul.com | New R&B Music, Songs, Podcast, Interviews.

Gary, IN native and songwriter, Felly the Voice, sat down with YKIGS to discuss everything from his early journey in music, working with K. Michelle, coming up in the “school” of Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox, and eventually working on Usher’s hit single “Good Good”. You can listen to the interview here !

The post Felly The Voice Talks Songwriting Process, Penning “Good Good” for Usher (Exclusive Interview) appeared first on YouKnowIGotSoul.com | New R&B Music, Songs, Podcast, Interviews.

It’s been a minute since we’ve got some new music from Marsha Ambrosius. In the meantime, she’s been teasing R&B lovers on social media with images of her working alongside legendary producer Dr. Dre on an upcoming project.

We have the first offering from that collaboration with the new single “The Greatest”. The results feel like a musical masterpiece; an epic backdrop fueled by Marsha’s stunning vocals.

Although Marsha has continued to tour, she’s been pretty quiet with new music since the release of her previous album “NYLA” in 2018. Stay tuned for more details on the upcoming project.

The post Marsha Ambrosius Returns With New Single “The Greatest” appeared first on YouKnowIGotSoul.com | New R&B Music, Songs, Podcast, Interviews.

R&B superstar Ledisi has just released her brand new single called “Sell Me No Dreams” via Listen Back Entertainment/BMG.

The song is the follow up to her previously released single “I Need To Know” which reached #1 on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs Chart.

“Sell Me No Dreams” was produced by newcomers G.A.D. And Shoji. The soulful anthem is woven with Ledisi’s signature blend of soulful elegance and emotional depth.

In equally exciting news, Ledisi has also announced “The Good Life Tour” which will begin in March 2024 and make 27 stops. The tour will feature the soulful vibes of Raheem DeVaughn*, with BJ The Chicago Kid** making limited appearances. Check out the full itinerary below.

The Good Life Tour Dates

Date City Venue
March 6 York, PA Appell Center for the Performing Arts***
March 7 Newark, NJ Prudential Center*
March 8 Rochester, NY The Theater at Innovation Square***
March 9 Philadelphia, PA The Met Philadelphia*
March 12 Boston, MA The Wilbur***
March 13 New Haven, CT Shubert Theatre***
March 15 Oxon Hill, MD The Theater at MGM National Harbor*
March 16 Baltimore, MD The Lyric*
March 17 Durham, NC Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC)*
March 19 Richmond, VA Dominion Energy Center*
March 21 Charlotte, NC Ovens Auditorium*
March 22 Louisville, KY Louisville Palace Theatre*
March 23 St. Louis, MO Stifel Theatre*
March 24 Nashville, TN Ryman Auditorium*
March 26 Columbus, OH Mershon Auditorium*
March 28 Indianapolis, IN Murat Theatre at Old National Centre*
March 29 Detroit, MI Fisher Theatre**
March 30 Chicago, IL The Chicago Theatre**
April 1 Atlanta, GA Atlanta Symphony Hall ***
April 3 Birmingham, AL Alabama Theatre*
April 5 New Orleans, LA Mahalia Jackson Theater*
April 6 Houston, TX Bayou Music Center*
April 7 Dallas, TX Music Hall at Fair Park**
April 10 Ft. Collins, CO The Lincoln Center***
April 12 Chandler, AZ Chandler Center for the Arts***
April 13 Inglewood, CA YouTube Theater*
April 14 Oakland, CA Fox Theater*

*Raheem DeVaughn performing
**BJ The Chicago Kid will open
***An Evening With… Performance

The post Ledisi Releases New Single “Sell Me No Dreams” Announces Upcoming Tour appeared first on YouKnowIGotSoul.com | New R&B Music, Songs, Podcast, Interviews.

Check out the new single from Alicia Keys called “Lifeline”.

The song is her inclusion on the soundtrack for the upcoming film “The Color Purple”. The song was written and co-produced by Keys along with Tricky Stewart, Marshmello and TMS. “Lifeline” is Alicia’s heartfelt ode to the unequivocal comfort emanating from friends, family and community that holds us up as we face life’s challenging moments.

Also included on the soundtrack is new material stirred by the story’s rich emotional journey from artists like Mary J. Blige, Megan Thee Stallion, Jennifer Hudson, Keyshia Cole, Jorja Smith, Coco Jones, Ciara, Mary Mary; collaborations include a breathtaking duet by Usher x H.E.R. and a special remix by Missy Elliott.

Also in recent Alicia Keys news, she’s currently celebrating the 20th anniversary of her sophomore album “The Diary of Alicia Keys”. To commemorate the occasion, she’s released a special edition of the album along with the previously unreleased song “Golden Child”.

The post Alicia Keys Releases New Single “Lifeline” appeared first on YouKnowIGotSoul.com | New R&B Music, Songs, Podcast, Interviews.

Legendary musical icon Raphael Saadiq has just released his new holiday single “Miracle” featuring UK vocalist Kelli-Leigh exclusively on Amazon Music.

The release comes on the heels of him wrapping up the “Just Me & You” tour after reuniting with his original group Tony! Toni! Toné!

This new original song is featured in the holiday comedy “Candy Cane Lane” starring Eddie Murphy premiering exclusively on Prime Video December 1. He adds about the song:

“The song “Miracle” is about, of course, a miracle. Once you see the film, you see all these amazing things happening – a little bit of beautiful magic between a family and a mother and father. “Miracle” just comes on and tells that whole story of how a family works.”

The new holiday adventure is about a man on a mission to win his neighborhood’s annual Christmas home decoration contest. After Chris (Eddie Murphy) inadvertently makes a deal with a mischievous elf named Pepper (Jillian Bell) to better his chances of winning, she casts a magic spell that brings the 12 Days of Christmas to life and wreaks havoc on the whole town. At the risk of ruining the holidays for his family, Chris, his wife Carol (Tracee Ellis Ross), and their three children must race against the clock to break Pepper’s spell, battle deviously magical characters and save Christmas for everyone.

“Miracle” is exclusively available today on Amazon Music and will be available everywhere you get music on December 1.

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Award winning Musical Director Adam Blackstone has just released his second solo and and first Christmas album, “A Legacy Christmas”.

The eleven song set includes many friends and collaborators such as Andra Day, BJ The Chicago Kid, Boyz II Men, Keke Palmer, Lena Byrd Miles, and more.

The album features the first single “Christmas Kisses” featuring Keke Palmer.

“Legacy Christmas” arrives on the heels of Adam Blackstone’s acclaimed debut album, “Legacy”, released in September 2022. The project featured the fan-favorite “Round Midnight” featuring Jazmine Sullivan which went on to receive a 2023 Grammy nomination for “Best Traditional R&B Performance”.

The post Adam Blackstone Releases Holiday Album “Legacy Christmas” (Stream) appeared first on YouKnowIGotSoul.com | New R&B Music, Songs, Podcast, Interviews.

The “R&B Love King” Raheem DeVaughn has just released a new album called “Fall in Love”. Amazingly, this is his third project released this year, and picks up where his last EP “Summer of Love” left off by reimagining some of the songs presented on the original.

Where the first volume in this collection found the Love King of R&B at his most sensual painting soundscapes that both allow and encourage fans to lean into their wild side; “Fall In Love” leads listeners towards more meaningful connections, creating a safe space to foster and nurture love.

The “Fall In Love” tracklist is a testament to Raheem DeVaughn’s musical prowess and his ability to manipulate words and sounds to evoke a specific mood. The project primarily consists of alternate and remixed versions of the songs on his previous release. However, with the support of Kenny Allen and Ari O’Neal; appearances by lyricists ADE and Scienze; and spoken word artist Ra Brown, Raheem presents each song as a brand new production, shifting the energy through simple technical details like tempo and vocal inflections. He adds:

“Fall In Love is my latest offering with a twist of Soul/R&B fused with a futuristic 90s nostalgia. It is my ode to my loyal fans and is a continuation from the instant classic, Summer Of Love. This new release aims to appeal to all of the senses and to have listeners and fans alike reminded that love is the highest vibration.”

Raheem also released the album “Love Euphoria” earlier this year in collaboration with Vandell Andrew & The Colleagues.

Following the release of the album, Raheem will be heading out on tour next month performing at intimate venues across the country.

The post Raheem DeVaughn Releases New Album “Fall in Love” (Stream) appeared first on YouKnowIGotSoul.com | New R&B Music, Songs, Podcast, Interviews.

It was exciting for R&B lovers when Jon B. returned recently with his new single “Waiting On You” featuring Tank.

The legendary singer/songwriter/producer has now taken things a step further by announcing that his ninth studio album will release in 2024.

The 11 song album will feature collaborations from Rick Ross, Donell Jones, and Alex Isley, in addition to Tank.

“Waiting on You” was the first new single from Jon since he released “Priceless” in 2019. It was meant to reflect where he is in his life. He adds:

“Waiting on You” describes the feeling of anticipating love in your life; the seasons of waiting,” says Jon B. “No matter the timing, even when it seems like it’s taking forever, you have to be patient for your partner in life. Not giving up makes it all worth the wait.”

From the upcoming album, fans, and avid listeners can expect a continuation of his artistic expression and musicianship that has captivated the hearts of R&B enthusiasts with each release since his debut.

It’s been nearly twelve years since Jon released his last album “Comfortable Swagg” in 2012.

The post Jon B. Announces Upcoming Album for 2024 Release appeared first on YouKnowIGotSoul.com | New R&B Music, Songs, Podcast, Interviews.

On this week of the #SoulBackPodcast, we revisit R&B in 2013 and what was going out during that era of R&B. Names that will pop up during this conversation are Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, TGT, Kelly Rowland, Ariana Grande and Robin Thicke. We talk about some of our favorite albums and songs from that year and also discuss some of the sleepers that people may have forgot about. We also discuss the industry during that time and some of the trends were happening during that time.

0:01:00 – The early beginnings of the SoulBack R&B Podcast
0:07:20 – Looking at the debut projects of K. Michelle, Mack Wilds, Sevyn Streeter, Ariana Grande
0:13:50 – Releases from female artists like Beyonce, Tamar Braxton, Kelly Rowland, Chrisette Michele, Fantasia
0:27:30 – Releases from male artists like Justin Timberlake, TGT, Joe, R. Kelly
0:50:50 – Rookie Of The Year of 2013
0:53:40 – Top 3 albums of 2013

Follow our podcast on Podbean: https://youknowigotsoul.podbean.com/
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The post The SoulBack R&B Podcast Episode 152 *Revisiting The Year 2013 In R&B* appeared first on YouKnowIGotSoul.com | New R&B Music, Songs, Podcast, Interviews.