R&B artists spoiled followers in 2024 with plentiful album releases. R&B icon Usher returned with Coming House, his first album in eight years, launched days forward of his record-breaking Tremendous Bowl LVII halftime present. The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul and Rock & Roll Corridor of Famer Mary J. Blige expressed Gratitude along with her fifteenth studio album. Beyoncé let the music do the speaking along with her extremely praised eighth album, Cowboy Carter.
R&B mainstays Ledisi and Lalah Hathaway launched albums that ranked excessive on Rated R&B’s 25 Greatest R&B Albums of 2024 listing — No. 2 and No. 4, respectively. In the meantime, Chris Brown breathed new life into his eleventh album, 11:11, with a deluxe model that included his still-rising hit “Residuals.” And there was the brand new class of stars like Muni Lengthy — whose Revenge was topped Greatest R&B Album of 2024 by Rated R&B — Leon Thomas, Normani, and FLO, who all delivered praiseworthy tasks.
With 2024 now behind us, there are many R&B albums and tasks slated to launch in 2025 that we’re excited to listen to. Under are the R&B albums we’re anticipating in 2025. (Observe: Launch dates might change at any time. We’ll replace this text as extra data and albums are revealed.)
The Weeknd, Hurry Up Tomorrow (January 24)
The Weeknd’s sixth album, Hurry Up Tomorrow, is predicted to be bittersweet. The closing installment of his trilogy, which started with 2020’s After Hours, adopted by 2022’s Daybreak FM, may also reportedly mark his closing album as The Weeknd. The singer, born Abel Tesfaye, first indicated his plans in 2023. “It’s attending to a spot and a time the place I’m on the point of shut the Weeknd chapter,” he instructed W Journal. “I’ll nonetheless make music, perhaps as Abel, perhaps as The Weeknd. However I nonetheless wish to kill The Weeknd. And I’ll. Finally. I’m positively making an attempt to shed that pores and skin and be reborn.”
Hurry Up Tomorrow, which can launch Jan. 24 through XO Information/Republic Information, will embrace the lead single, “Dancing In The Flame,” in addition to the subsequently shared “Timeless” that includes Playboi Carti and “São Paulo” that includes Anitta. Per press supplies, Hurry Up Tomorrow “represents the inventive apex of the venture, serving because the third and closing chapter crafted with existential and self-referential themes as seen with the newest visionary teasers which have set followers ablaze with anticipation for this concluding installment.”
Mereba, The Breeze Grew a Fireplace (February 14)
Mereba is ready to launch The Breeze Grew a Fireplace, her first album in six years, on Valentine’s Day through Secretly Canadian. The album consists of 13 tracks, together with the lead single, “Counterfeit,” which she co-wrote and co-produced with Sam Hoffman. Talking on The Breeze Grew a Fireplace, Mereba defined, “For this [album], it went again to me being alone for the creation of lots of the songs, and it was actually necessary for me at the moment of life as a result of I used to be a bit of disconnected from the world, and from who I used to be. So I used to be looking for my approach again to myself first. What do I like? What do I wish to hear? What do I wish to say to folks now?” The Breeze Grew a Fireplace is the follow-up to the genre-bending artist’s 2019 album, The Jungle Is The Solely Method Out. The latter venture featured appearances from alt-R&B artist 6LACK and rapper JID.
Musiq Soulchild x Hit-Boy, Victims & Villains 2 (February 14)
Musiq Soulchild and Hit-Boy have teamed up for Victims & Villains 2, the sequel to their 2023 joint album. The singer and producer’s upcoming venture is ready to reach on Valentine’s Day through Soulstar Music Firm. The lead single, “October thirty first” that includes Dave East, was launched final 12 months on the date it’s titled after. Relating to the observe, Soulchild solely instructed Rated R&B, “It’s about how scary it may be to this point these days, for each women and men. The tips and treats ain’t what they was. Y’all keep secure on the market!” Not solely will Soulchild launch his new album on Feb. 14, however he may also kick off the R&B Invitation Tour with fellow crooners Joe and Eric Benét.
THEY., LOVE.JONES (February 14)
R&B duo THEY. (Drew Love and Dante Jones) will have fun Valentine’s Day with the discharge of their fourth album, LOVE.JONES. The ten-track venture, which can arrive through drink sum wtr, consists of the lead single “Diamonds and Pearls.” “We began teasing a snippet of the hook final 12 months, and it obtained an awesome response from our followers; we hadn’t even written the verse but. Excited to be lastly releasing the complete model,” THEY. mentioned about “Diamonds and Pearls.” Their forthcoming album may also embrace their newest single, “Straight Up.” LOVE.JONES follows the duo’s 2023 album, Nü Moon, which featured collaborations with Kacey Musgraves, Fana Hues, Yung Bleu, and extra. Per the official tracklist, THEY.’s LOVE.JONES won’t comprise any options — like their 2017 debut album, Nü Faith: HYENA.
Nao, Jupiter (February 21)
Nao’s fourth album, Jupiter, is alleged to “discover themes of development, abundance, and profound self-discovery, weaving collectively a tapestry of introspection and expansive creativity.” The featureless 11-track LP, which can launch Feb. 21 through Sony Music UK/RCA Information. It’s preceded by the singles “Wildflowers,” “Elevate” and “All Of Me.” Of the Stint-produced “Elevate,” the British singer defined, “‘Elevate’ captures the intoxicating feeling of affection. It describes a relationship so highly effective it feels addictive, but releasing, like floating with out worry of falling. I needed it to sound euphoric, which is why we now have this hovering, Prince-like guitar solo, superbly performed by my guitarist, Andy Vickery.” Jupiter is the follow-up to Nao’s 2021 album, And Then Life Was Lovely, which featured Fortunate Daye, Lianne La Havas, serpentwithfeet, and Adekunle Gold.
Aloe Blacc, Stand Collectively (February 28)
Style-bending singer Aloe Blacc is ready to launch his new album, Stand Collectively, on Feb. 28 through Grand Scheme Productions in partnership with Vydia, a gamma. firm. Blacc’s upcoming album will include 12 tracks, together with the lead single “Don’t Go Alone.” “This album is a celebration of what we will obtain once we come collectively to assist each other. Whether or not it’s in {our relationships} or as a society, we’re stronger and higher once we stand collectively,” Blacc defined. Stand Collectively blends components of R&B, soul and pop whereas exploring lyrical themes of openness, empowerment and social change. It options manufacturing by Stargate, Oak Felder, DJ Khalil, and Hunter Hayes, amongst others.
serpentwithfeet, GRIP SEQUEL (February 28)
Progressive R&B singer serpentwithfeet is conserving his GRIP period going with GRIP SEQUEL, the follow-up to his 2024 album. The venture, out Feb. 28 through Secretly Canadian, will function 9 new compositions, together with the lead single, “Writing within the Wind,” and different variations of three tracks from GRIP. The reimagined tunes embrace a brand new model of “Fortunate Me” plus remixes of “Spades” with Ogi and Destin Conrad and a “Rattling Gloves” remix by Baile Funk that includes Ty Dolla $ign, TH41 & Azzy. GRIP SEQUEL may also comprise all of the tracks from GRIP on disc two.
Chase Shakur, WONDERLOVE (Early 2025)
Rising alt-R&B sensation Chase Shakur has been dropping music since 2018 nevertheless it wasn’t till his 2022 single “Too Far Shut” that put him on the map. The track appeared on his debut EP, It’ll Be High quality, which included different common tracks like “i don’t wanna fall in love, it’s too late now” and “honda civic ‘98.” The success of his independently launched EP landed him a cope with Def Jam Recordings, the place he adopted up in 2023 together with his second EP, it’s not you, it’s me, and an prolonged model, it’s not you, it’s me… it’s love. Now, the Atlanta native is getting ready to launch his debut album, WONDERLOVE, in early 2025. In an Instagram publish, Shakur confirmed the album comprises 16 tracks. Among the many album’s tracks are the singles “Limerence,” “2ofUs” and “Focus On Me.” It’s unclear if the album has any options for the reason that tracklist has not been shared.
Bootsy Collins, Album of the Yr #1 Funkateer (April 11)
Funk legend Bootsy Collins was initially slated to launch his twenty third studio LP, Album of Yr #1 Funkateer, forward of his 73rd birthday final October. Nonetheless, he delayed it till April 11, 2025, after inking a deal between his Bootzilla Information label and Roc Nation Distribution. Relating to his assured album title, Collins instructed Rated R&B, “After I mentioned I used to be the Participant of the Yr again in 1978 [on my album Bootsy? Player of the Year], the group obtained with me and was all behind it. So I did that very same form of motion with this [album]. The folks don’t comprehend it but, however it’s the album of the 12 months, no matter what anyone’s saying.” Album of the Yr #1 Funkateer will embrace the beforehand shared title observe, “The Influencers,” “Pure Perfection” and “The JB’s Tribute Pastor P.”
Coco Jones, Title TBA (TBA)
Grammy-winning singer Coco Jones will lastly unleash her long-awaited debut album this 12 months through Excessive Standardz/Def Jam Recordings. The at present untitled venture will embrace the Grammy-nominated lead single “Right here We Go (Uh Oh),” in addition to “Sweep It Up” and “Most Lovely Design” that includes London on da Monitor and Future. “Right here We Go (Uh Oh),” additionally nominated on the 2025 NAACP Picture Awards, has spent 5 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Grownup R&B Airplay chart on the time of this writing. It now could be Jones’ longest-running No. 1 on any Billboard chart, surpassing her 2023 breakout hit “ICU,” which spent 4 weeks atop the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.
In a 2024 interview with Rated R&B, Jones shared how she supposed to strategy her debut album following the discharge of her debut EP, What I Didn’t Inform You. “The EP made me wish to discover totally different sounds [and] totally different genres, seeing how I might combine them,” Jones instructed Rated R&B. “I felt like a scientist whose one experiment did very well, and it’s like, ‘Oh rattling, okay.’ Now I’m getting all mad inventive, simply making an attempt a bunch of various issues as a result of I’m like, ‘That was good. Let’s see what else I can do.’ [I’m] simply motivated.”
Summer season Walker, Lastly Over It (TBA)
In October 2024, Summer season Walker launched “Coronary heart Of A Lady,” the era-launching single for her extremely anticipated third album, Lastly Over It. The ‘90s R&B-inspired observe, produced by Tavares Jordan, was formally launched with an accompanying lyric video starring Love Island season six winners and couple Serena Web page and Kordell Beckham. Walker later premiered the official music video, which will be watched above. Lastly Over It, set to launch this 12 months through LVRN/Interscope Information, will full the trilogy that began with Walker’s 2019 debut album, Over It, adopted by 2021’s Nonetheless Over It. The latter album earned Walker her first No. 1 on the Billboard 200, promoting 166,000 equal models within the first week. As followers anticipate Walker’s subsequent album, the Grammy-nominated singer just lately launched a six-episode radio sequence, Over It Radio, in partnership with Apple Music. To date, particular friends have included Sexyy Purple, Caresha, and Ciara.
Jacquees x DeJ Loaf, F**okay A Friendzone 2 (TBA)
R&B singer Jacquees and melodic rapper DeJ Loaf have reunited for F**okay A Friendzone 2, a sequel to their 2017 mixtape. The upcoming venture will embrace the Nash B-produced lead single “Simply One other Love Tune” launched final December. Their inaugural joint mixtape included their platinum-selling hit “At The Membership,” which reached No. 4 on Billboard’s Sizzling R&B Songs chart. A launch date has not been introduced for F**okay A Friendzone 2, although it should drop through Yellow World and FYB Information.
Jon B., Ready On You (TBA)
R&B veteran Jon B.’s Ready On You EP was initially scheduled to launch in 2024. Whereas a brand new launch date has not been confirmed but, we’re anticipating that it’ll arrive someday in 2025 — hopefully. The venture will embrace the Tank-assisted title observe and newest single, “Pure Drug,” which Jon B. wrote and produced. Relating to the observe, he defined, “There isn’t a aphrodisiac just like the pure drug a lady is. By means of her love, inspiration naturally flows to me. She is why I dig so deep in my creativity, looking for the gems that mirror her brilliance.”
In keeping with press supplies, Ready On You is “a continuation of his inventive expression and musicianship that has captivated the hearts of R&B lovers since his debut album, Bonafide.” The venture, the follow-up to 2012’s Comfy Swagg, will function further collaborations with Donell Jones, Alex Isley, and Rick Ross.
Amerie, Title TBA (TBA)
Final fall, Amerie confirmed that she is engaged on a brand new album. The singer has been within the studio with producer Troy Taylor, often going reside on Instagram to tease recorded materials whereas within the studio. The primary track they previewed, again in November, was “Plain,” which they wrote collectively. “This report known as ‘Plain’ and it’s simply the very starting,” mentioned Amerie throughout an Instagram Dwell broadcast. She added, “That didn’t even take a very long time really.” Since then, the 2 collaborators have previewed a number of different tracks, together with “Radio,” “Mine,” “Good Dangerous,” “Unsaid” and “The Method You Love.” Amerie’s forthcoming album will mark her first since 2009’s In Love & Warfare. Since then, she’s launched three EPs, together with 2016’s Drive and 2018’s 4AM Mulholland and After 4AM. The latter two tasks had been launched concurrently.
Ari Lennox, Title TBA (TBA)
In October 2024, Ari Lennox returned with “Smoke,” the lead single from her forthcoming third album that may launch on Dreamville/Interscope Information. Whereas the observe has solely garnered 730,000 Spotify streams since its launch (on the time of this writing), it has steadily risen on radio. The Bongo ByTheWay-produced observe is No. 19 on the Billboard Grownup R&B Airplay chart dated Jan. 11. Shortly after the track’s launch, Lennox took to Instagram to vent about her frustrations along with her label and publicly requested to be launched from her contract. “Not one individual at these labels ever knew the right way to market or shield me,” she wrote in a since-deleted Instagram publish. “Y’all don’t know the half. Fixed let down and neglect.” Hopefully, Lennox has sorted issues out along with her labels by now, as we’re excited to listen to the music she made for the follow-up to 2022’s age/intercourse/location.
Ella Mai, Title TBA (TBA)
Ella Mai has not introduced any plans to launch an album but. Nonetheless, she did shock her followers on her thirtieth birthday (Nov. 3, 2024) with a three-track EP titled 3. All three songs from the mini venture occupied the highest three spots on Billboard’s R&B Digital Tune Gross sales: “Little Issues” (No. 1), “One Of These” (No. 2) and “Hearts On Deck” (No. 3). Per press supplies, 3 “introduces a recent chapter for Mai,” which might imply a fuller venture is underway. Mai’s final album, Coronary heart On My Sleeve, was launched in 2022. The next 12 months, she reissued the album with a deluxe version that featured three further tracks.
Eric Benét, Title TBA (TBA)
Final 12 months marked the top of Eric Benét’s eight-year musical hiatus. The R&B veteran returned together with his Duets EP, his first venture since his 2016 self-titled album. Talking on his resolution to place out an EP as a substitute of an album, Benét defined to Rated R&B, “This appears the proper alternative as a result of I haven’t had a venture out in eight years. If I’m going to return out after such a very long time, don’t come out the identical approach, come out totally different.” The EP included duets with 5 girls in R&B: Chanté Moore, Ledisi, Tamar Braxton, LaTocha Scott, and Corinne Bailey Rae. In the identical interview with Rated R&B, Benét additionally revealed his plans to launch a full-length album model of his duets venture with 10 new songs. “We wrote so many songs that we’re going to return out with an album,” he mentioned.
When requested what he needed listeners to remove, Benét shared, “I simply need folks to discover as a result of I’m exploring totally different genres. I encourage folks to get the entire venture when it comes out as a result of there could also be some issues that may resonate with you far more than the one or two singles.” He continued, “It might shock you, so as soon as the venture is launched — the EP and the album — peruse by way of the entire thing as a result of there’s going to be some joints on there.” The album is predicted to reach someday in early 2025. Most just lately, Benét was noticed within the studio with singer Melanie Fiona and producer Camper. “Man Hear … wait til y’all hear how @melaniefiona was KILLIN’ in that sales space final night time!! Thanks for blessing us,” Benét wrote in a social media publish.
Melanie Fiona, Title TBA (TBA)
Melanie Fiona has a brand new EP on the way in which. The Grammy-winning singer made her musical return in 2024 along with her single “Say Sure” and its B-side “I Select You.” Each tracks will seem on her forthcoming venture, at present untitled, set to reach this 12 months. In an October interview with Rated R&B, Fiona solely shared some particulars of her EP, which may have about six tracks. “It’s a enjoyable venture,” Fiona described. “I don’t assume it could really feel heavy to folks, it doesn’t matter what the context is. Every little thing was created with lots of pleasure.”
She added, “I’m nonetheless tailoring down what the six songs are going to be. I’ve a good suggestion about what they’re. I feel all of the songs and tales which might be occurring, everyone will get pleasure from it. They’re not going to really feel like one track takes them too far out of the vibe. I need this venture to be for everyone. I need it to really feel affirmative. I need it to really feel like a homegirl hug.” Fiona’s upcoming EP will mark her first physique of labor since her 2012 sophomore album, The MF Life.
Miguel, Viscera (TBA)
It’s laborious to imagine it’s been seven years since Miguel final launched an album. Whereas his 2010 sleeper hit “Positive Factor” has seen a resurgence in recent times, notably in 2023 when it surged to No. 11 on the Billboard Sizzling 100 due to a viral enhance from TikTok, the progressive R&B singer has been engaged on his follow-up to 2017’s Warfare & Leisure. In 2023, Miguel dropped two singles — “Give It To Me” and “Quantity 9” that includes Lil Yachty — from his impending fifth album, Viscera.
After a year-long hiatus, he returned in late 2024 together with his self-penned emotional ballad, “At all times Time.” “This can be essentially the most troublesome track I’ve ever needed to write — for the entire life classes and experiences that reside between every line,” Miguel shared. “I’m grateful for the closure it has given me and comprehend it’s essentially the most trustworthy option to start this chapter of my artistry and relationship with my viewers.” A launch date has not been confirmed for Viscera, which might be launched through ByStorm Leisure and RCA Information.
TA Thomas, Title TBA (TBA)
In summer time 2024, rising singer TA Thomas introduced his new cope with Excessive Standardz, the label behind Coco Jones, and Def Jam Recordings. The Mississippi native launched two singles, “Dangerous” and “Offended,” which signaled the launch of a brand new period since dropping his debut solo EP, Caught Between 2 Worlds, in 2023. There aren’t many particulars about TA’s upcoming venture. Nonetheless, he did verify to Rated R&B that he plans to launch an EP forward of his debut album. “I really feel like with these subsequent two tasks, I actually wish to paint a picture of who TA is, the place he’s from, the stuff that I grew up on, so I’m working with a bunch of musicians again from down south. On this venture, there might be lots of reside instrumentation.”
This text will proceed to be up to date as extra data turns into obtainable.