r/rnb

I’ve been listening to this artist Inayah a lot recently and it’s just something about her vocals. I feel like 2026 is finally starting to bring real R&B back into the mainstream and she genuinely needs to be included in that conversation moving forward. Fantasia is NOT an easy artist to replicate either but she makes it look effortless while still putting her own spin on it.

I really see it for lakeith tbh. They don’t resemble, but I see it and resemblance doesn’t have to be exact. He could pull it off. He has the amount of eccentricity and ruggedness needed for Marvin. He has proven acting chops. It’d be a surprise to see him clean cut. Haven’t heard his singing chops before but i have heard he put out a single before. Idk if he’s a singer though.

He definitely would need to gain some weight for a fuller build. Lakeith is real thin, but he’s got the height for Marvin. Its hard be as handsome as a chiseled Marvin but Lakeith is definitely a handsome guy & i would love if they stuck to a brown skin or caramel African American guy like Marvin was. I think he’s the best choice out of the rumored prospects. I’m sure he can relate to some of Marvin’s struggles. I do feel that he has the edge to really dig deep for Marvin’s personal issues with hard drugs. And i’ve heard lakeith is a dog too when it comes to black women.. oh how they all are, especially in the entertainment business!

But yeah i heard the Marvin biopic is still moving towards development with Warner Bros.
Edit for folks wondering about development: It has an green-lit with an $80 million budget, been backed by the estate and given Motown music rights, even has a script. It just has no lead actor or any real production timeline.
The script for the upcoming Warner Bros. Marvin Gaye biopic, What's Going On, was written by the acclaimed poet and playwright Marcus Gardley (The Color Purple Musical). The film will be directed by Allen Hughes (Menace II Society & Dead Presidents) and produced by Dr. Dre and Jimmy Lovine (8 Mile).
Also: the singer’s widow, Jan Gaye, serving as an executive producer along with Suzanne de Passe

Who's got the steelo here👀

Ask Michael Jackson who's bad!

This all stems from when Tank started the Can We Talk challenge a few years ago and made a remark about artists not being “real R&B singers” if they cannot sing the Tevin Campbell classic without autotune, reverb etc. Durand responded and found it weird that Tank was trying to come across as authoritative and threw some shade his way.

Fast forward to yesterday, Durand was being interviewed on the Joe Budden podcast and revealed that Tank had him blocked after that initial tiff. A few tweets later, the two men made up and agreed to link up and possibly collaborate.

My opinion on the whole thing is that it was incredibly petty all around. Tank stays doing a challenge and Durand was bold with his shade. I remember that post about him tagging various male R&B artists asking them to come see his show so they can see a vocal masterclass. A mess.

However, it’s given credence to my longstanding belief that Tank has a chip on his shoulder (probably because of his overall career status) and positions himself as this “authority on all things R&B” because of it. Who died and made him the arbiter for the genre and its artists? He will talk ALL DAY about “real vocalists this and real vocalists that” but then gasses up one of the biggest autotune merchants in the business. Durand is a character but I can also see how that can rub people the wrong way. I am glad Durand gave this interview on that platform (even though I hate Joe Budden). Tank and people like him needed to see/hear it.

I chose these 3 because they were all able to really break out of soul groups of the 60s & 70s and really become their own solo artist and brand themselves in the way they desired. I feel like their images of rugged soulful and sensual black men were important authentic representation for black folks in our history. Their soul records have become the soundtrack of our lives as far as socially and romantically.

Soooo, Who y’all taking? Rank them 1, 2, & 3. If you cant choose then don’t choose! I am not going to rank them yet because i don’t want the comments to eat me up about my preferences before commenting their own 😂 I genuinely want to hear what everybody else thinks.

So lets gooo. We are thinking musically, vocally, discography wise, you also got factor in their biggest hits even with their different groups so don’t leave out Wake up Everybody just cuz Harold had his name on the group, we know who made the record (and maybe even factor in good looks cuz they all were good looking brothers 😂😂)

“Slave to the Rhythm” came out in 1985.
and still sounds ahead of its time. Today is Grace’s 78th birthday.

Grace Jones was born on May 19, 1948, in Spanish Town, Jamaica. She moved to Syracuse, New York when she was still a child and attempted modeling. American agencies didn’t really know what to do with her look at the time. After that she moved to Paris, where her modeling career exploded and she became part of the fashion/art scene there in the early 70s.

For me : Michael Jackson will always be my number 1 artist . From Jackson era albums like their self titled , going places , Destiny & triumph . To his certified classics like Off the wall , thriller , bad & dangerous and underrated bangers : Invincible & xsacpe . Michael Jackson’s ability to cross genres & merge genres like R&B , pop , rock , funk , new jack swing & some gospel elements made him so unique . His voice is also joyful, emotional & just special My top 5 songs : Remember the time, you rock my world, human nature , dirty Diana , smooth criminal.
Hm: Someone put your had out , butterflies , lady in my life , break of dawn , Billie Jean , I can’t help it , rock with you , she drives me wild , unbreakable , for all time , you are not alone

2. Prince - another unique case where the artist was able to merge R&B with rock and funk elements . Prince was really leader & the way he carried himself made him so cool to me . He can wear high heels and makeup and still be masculine . His falsetto is one of the best in music to me .

My top 5 songs : scandalous , if I was your girlfriend , beautiful ones , call my name & purple rain .

3. Stevie wonder - just a national treasure . My top 5 songs : superstition , overjoyed , all I do , rocket love & sir duke .

4. Voldemort / r Kelly . I hate his actions but his music is special & got me through hard times . R Kelly’s songwriting ability & gospel vocal tone is amazing . His ability to do hip hop soul club music , sex R&B slow songs & then gospel inspirational is amazing .

My top 5 personal favorite songs : I can’t sleep , I believe I can fly , dedicated , half on a baby & one man .

5. Usher - one of the greatest R&B pop entertainers of all time . His three album run from my way to confessions is amazing. His voice is also very warm . My top 5: you don’t have to call , you make me wanna , seduction , confessions 1 & bad habits .