Latest R&B Posts

[R&B/Soul] The Flavr Blue – Wit It (Prod. by Sweater Beats)

Posted by Tyler Trew - June 15, 2016

The Flavr Blue
Wit It (Prod. by Sweater Beats)

If you don’t get “Wit It” you are missing out. When we heard Sweater Beats produced this record, we were enticed and once our ears met up with The Flavr Blue record, we were blown away. If you’re looking for a huge R&B tune to shake up your Summer, then you’re in luck. It’s here.

“Wit It” is nothing short of extraordinary. Once you hear it for yourself, you’ll understand exactly why Macklemore and Ryan Lewis took these four on tour. After meeting through Red Bull Sound Select, The Flavr Blue and Sweater Beats partnered up to put this single together, and we’re beyond glad they did. With all of the electronic music festivals that have been taking place, EDM has been at the forefront of music at the moment, but The Flavr Blue come in to show you just what can be cooked up outside that realm. Stream it today and make sure to hit one of the last few dates on the tour if they’re in your area!

R&B
Soul

[R&B/Soul] R.LUM.R – Frustrated

Posted by Mitch Marzuola - June 7, 2016

R.LUM.R
Frustrated

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Something about R.LUM.R is just so relatable. The world of R&B and soul is filled to the brim with all sorts of differing messages, ranging from love to lust, political to protest, and many more. “Frustrated” touches on the effects of heartbreak through its compelling production and blunt lyrics.

One line in particular says it all:

I’m not alright, right now. I’ve never been the type that you can just abuse

R.LUM.R has no issues with expressing his exact feelings here. The emotion is clear, and the resounding instrumentation is an essential counterpart to getting his point across. There’s a striking similarity to Gallant on this tune, which actually marks a change in pace for R.LUM.R that pushes his singing range into another level that some of his previous tunes haven’t. “Frustrated” is monumental in his progression as a singer and artist, and we’re hope to hear a lot more from R.LUM.R.

Caden Jester ft. Christopher Blake – Slow [TMN PREMIERE]

Posted by Ivan Chung - June 6, 2016

Caden Jester
Slow (ft. Christopher Blake)

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Here in TMN, we strive to discover music that turns heads but is also outcast to genres. This gem by Caden Jester is the perfect example of that.

“Slow” is an infectious tune that explores elements from R&B and soul to future bass without them overshadowing one another. The vocals by Christopher Blake are powerful and add a nice R&B touch to the melody. Slow-paced drums and a groovy bassline bring out the downtempo vibe of the track up until the drop, which combines casual wavy synths and a more upbeat approach. Whichever genre you fancy, it would be very difficult to not vibe to this lovely tune.

Being that Caden is only 18 years old, it is amazing how he came to familiarize with all these different genres and is able to combine them and give his own spin to create an original track. With the release of “Slow”, it is safe to say we’ve found our next favorite producer to religiously follow.

Saturday Selection Vol. 9

Posted by Mitch Marzuola - June 5, 2016

This weeks has been something else, and I’m still catching up after being at Governors Ball this weekend. We’re primed and ready for another slick collection of new tunes, from Louis Futon to the first cut off of midnight’s new EP, so go ahead and jump right into it. Enjoy!

O R I O N – Gold Dust ft. Cammie Robinson

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This song is from a little while ago, but it was new to us and instantly caught our ears. O R I O N put together a beautiful brain-melter with “Gold Dust”, and the sparse, but angelic vocals of Cammie Robinson are the icing on the cake. The innate feeling of escapism creeps out throughout the tune, and you’ll want to go explore the world as it plays. Enjoy this one on a bright and day. You’ll feel absolutely wonderful.

SWIMS – Bedrooms

Soundcloud

SWIMS is an exciting new duo that combines the best of trap, R&B, and electronic music into a breezy and ethereal creation. Optimized for complete relaxation, “Bedrooms” stands as a strong debut for these two. It’s a serenade with all the right trappings. It hits all the right spots. Soak this one in with a special someone tonight.

midnight – Native America (feat. The Internet)

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The combination of midnight and The Internet is impossible to be apathetic about. Touching on the marred past of the United States, these talented people describe the constant push for the best life available in a seductive fashion that gives the message a new appearance. We’ve been hooked on midnight ever since his XXI Labors EP, and seeing him work with The Internet to deliver such a powerful message only solidifies our admiration of his work. Find some time to really sit and reflect on these lyrics.

Goldlink – Unique (Louis Futon Remix)

Soundcloud

This one is simply fun. That’s no surprise, coming from Louis Futon. He decided to return to his earlier remix roots by flipping this Goldlink and Anderson Paak original into absolutely irresistible scorcher of a dance tune. We’re not even sure what the best part of it is, but there is one thing we know for sure. It’s ALL great. Kick off the shift into warm weather with this one.

The Geek x Vrv – Coming Up’ Feat Kellylee Evans & Atom

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So much soul. The Geek x Vrv never fails to bring out the best funk, hip-hop, and soul crossovers with their material, and “Coming Up” is a vibrant new addition to their stellar sound. Featuring a fourth of C2C and the striking singing of Kellylee Evans, this song triumphs on its 90s rap atmosphere and style that’s revamped and repurposed into a more modern sound. You can’t NOT bob your head. We’re making sure to keep the double negative there just so you know we MEAN it. Throw this tune on when you just want to groove.

[Artist Residency] um.. drops “Music We Like” on Spotify

Posted by Clayton Warwick - May 26, 2016

For our next portion of um..’s Residency, we’re shining a spotlight on their recently released Spotify playlist, which is aptly titled “Music We Like.” If you’re expecting to hear a handful of only experimental, industrial, and heavy bass tracks, you’re in for quite the surprise. The collection definitely has some of those scattered throughout, but also includes some RnB, mainstream rap, jazz, and even some classical.

We asked them to talk to us about a few of their selections, which they, of course, responded in a way we would only expect from Ben and Dylan.

Tennyson – For You : This song is good to listen to when you’re good for listening to this song.

X&G – Whiplash ft. Josh Pan : This song is tight. When you listen you can tell it’s tight.

Rae Sremmurd – No Flex Zone : When you’re trying to get in the zone but you can’t flex. That’s how you know.

Howard Shore – Concerning Hobbits : 5/7 perfect song. I shore hope he doesn’t like jokes about oranges.

Caspa – Well Ard ft. The Others : If you real and you know it raise your fist. Put it down now, you real.

After you’re done checking this out, head over to SoundCloud and peep their latest release.

Elonious X Alexa Lusader X The Vizzion – BLVRD [TMN Premiere]

Posted by Tyler Trew - May 23, 2016

Elonious X Alexa Lusader X The Vizzion
BLVRD

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If you enjoyed Boom Boom Snare Pt. I, then Boom Boom Snare Pt. II is going to be a godsend. That’s right, Elonious is back with another EP that is even better than the last, which is saying a lot. The EP is due out very soon, but us here at The Music Ninja had the privilege of getting our hands on “BLVRD” for your to listen to early in this premiere.

“BLVRD” isn’t an Elonious exclusive, rather, it’s a collaboration with the artists Alexa Lusader and The Vizzion. What we love about this song is that it’s not really like anything else. The smooth mixture of sounds makes for a captivating listen that seduces you from start to finish. The obvious ingredients to the song are R&B and future, but even that doesn’t blanket the range that this single has. It’s dynamic, fresh and so much more. Each artist shines in their own way, making this a special song. “BLVRD” is due out on Boom Boom Snare Pt. II, but an early listen wasn’t enough, so Elonious is dishing this one out for free.

[Denver Event Preview] Project Pabst – RiNo Arts District – 5/21

Posted by Matthew Bloss - May 20, 2016

Already an established and highly praised festival in Portland, Project Pabst is set to touch down for its first ever stop in Denver, and we’re chomping at the bit for their all-day lineup featuring the likes of TMN Favorites Best Coast, Small Black (who headlined one of our TMN Showcase parties back on Halloween), K. Flay, and local Denverites turned national darlings Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats; along with classic staples including the Violent Femmes, Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires and loads more across seven stages on Saturday, May 21st in Denver’s booming and eclectic RiNo Arts District. We’ve been watching Project Pabst pick up steam as it nears closer and closer, and with the announcement yesterday that all tickets have now been sold out, it’s shaping up to be a beast of a day for music in the Mile High City.

In anticipation of this weekend’s Denver debut of Project Pabst, check out our playlist below featuring some of our favorite tunes from each headliner, start hydrating, and put aside your beer snobbery before loading your system with cheap domestic beer in the greatest craft-brew city in the U.S. We’ll be out in full force all day tomorrow, so keep your eyes peeled for our post-event review, and get in the spirit a little early with our official Project Pabst Preview Playlist (say that five times fast) below.

’Best Coast – The Only Place’

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’Small Black – No Stranger’

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’Best Coast – Do You Love Me Like You Used To’

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’Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
S.O.B.’

Soundcloud

’Violent Femmes – Blister In The Sun’

Soundcloud

’FIDLAR – No Waves’

Soundcloud