Welcome to The State of R&B, ESSENCE’s look at the past, present and future of rhythm and blues. In this piece, ESSENCE editor Rivéa Ruff reports on the blending of hip-hop and R&B. Since the ...

On Dec. 19, 2011, Flo Rida launched his crossover hit, “Wild Ones,” featuring Sia. It was from his fourth studio album and ...

You might say it was Drake, DJ Premier, or Ice Cube. But the real idea of a beat flip starts with the DJ. In the early days of hip-hop—when DJing was the center of the action and park jams at rec ...

Listen to new must-hear songs from emerging R&B/hip-hop artists like Pooh Shiesty, J Hus, FLO, Sasha Keable, Otis Kane, Def Soulja, GENA & Samara Cyn.

Wed, August 27, 2025 at 2:18 PM UTC Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Artists, Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Top Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs of the 21st Century recaps reflect performance on weekly charts dated Jan.

Despite what many may think, Black queer artistry has always been intertwined with the DNA of Hip Hop and R&B. The more modern landscape reflects that truth more openly, but it didn’t get there ...

The red carpet at the annual BET Hip-Hop Awards was a curious shade of green this year: money green. It was fitting for the occasion, because nothing comes close to distilling hip-hop's evolution over ...

Savage's 'What Happened to the Streets' debuts at No. 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums with 73,000 units, securing the rapper's fifth consecutive champ.

Dlala Thukzin’s advice on making hit hip hop records has sparked conversation online, with Zulu Mecca, Loatinover Pounds and others weighing in on whether artists should chase hits or stay true to ...