It seems 2018 just got here and already we’re two months away from the last year of the decade. Luckily, with the fall season, artists usually release some of their best music ever.
It’s already been a great year for R&B with some celebrated releases and a few surprise moments. Albums from people like Teyana Taylor and Janelle Monáe have lived up to the hype, while surprise drops like Beyoncé and Jay-Z‘s Everything Is Love continues to prove the vastness of the genre.
Hit the next pages to find out which six R&B releases you should keep on your radar before you start picking out your favorites for the year!
Saturn – Nao (October 26)
2018 has been an incredible year for singers overseas, with the U.K. showcasing some of their best talent. Jorja Smith shared her sultry vocals on her debut album Lost & Found, while Ella Mai had folks “Boo’d Up” and on a “Trip” with her hit singles.
This fall, Nao is ready to come through with a follow-up to her 2016 gem For All We Know. Her unique voice already pierces through airy tracks like “Make It Out Alive” and “Curiosity,” and they serve as a great teaser for all the feels Saturn is sure to bring.
MihTy – Ty Dolla $ign and Jeremih (October 26)
This has definitely been the decade of collaborative albums and soon, two of R&B’s most popular stars will partner up for a release of all new tunes. Ty Dolla $ign has already had quite the year, partnering up with folks like Teyana Taylor and Christina Aguilera for music, and Jermemih also continues to shine despite a few hiccups. With their similar vocal styles, we’re sure to get a duo confident with their sound and ready for the world.
Caution – Mariah Carey (November 16)
Close to thirty years in the game and Mariah Carey is still giving us sweet lullabies and melodies to live by. Last year MiMi teased a release with YG that gained some traction, but in 2018 it’s all about her. First, she released her infectious break-up song “GTFO” and less than a month later, she came back strong with the catchy “With You.”
Mariah confirmed that this new music was, in fact, the prelude to a new album called Caution set for November 16. And what better way to announce the release than scaling down a flight of stairs with her 7-year-old son Moroccan.
So Mariah.
Oxnard – Anderson .Paak (November 16)
This California crooner already had a celebrated release with 2016’s Malibu. Now Anderson .Paak is returning with his much-anticipated release Oxnard. The project, which is being released through Aftermath Records, supposedly got the Midas touch from Dr. Dre and fellow iconic hip hop producer Madlib. “This is the album I dreamed of making in high school, when I was listening to [Jay-Z]’s The Blueprint, The Game’s The Documentary, and [Kanye West’s] The College Dropout,” .Paak told Rolling Stone in September.
It seems like we can expect some hip hop-tinged soul come November. Paak’s latest collab with one of rap’s biggest stars, Kendrick Lamar, proves greatness is in store.
Untitled Album – Solange (Fall 2018)
Solange left fans deeply moved with her 2016 release A Seat At The Table, and now Solo is already gearing up for her next release set for this fall. She announced a new album with The New York Times’ T Magazine saying “There is a lot of jazz at the core. But with electronic and hip hop drum and bass because I want it to bang and make your trunk rattle.”
If it’s anywhere close to A Seat At The Table, it’s safe to say we can trust Solo on this one and stay tuned for the release date!
Untitled Album – Rihanna (Fall 2018)
This one is a little more hopeful wishing than hardcore facts. To be honest, we don’t even know if this will be a straight-up R&B album. At one point, there was talk that Rihanna would release a pure dancehall album, but this could change.
Regardless, Rihanna already knows she’s pressing her fans’ nerves with the wait.
