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9 R’n’B and rap singers to listen to this summer
Although they are not as famous as Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, or SZA, these American and British singers and rappers already have everything to shine. Here is an overview of the female artists who released the best hip-hop and R’n’B summer tracks.
By Violaine Schütz.
1. Doechii
Jaylah Hickmon, aka Doechii, is a 23-year-old singer and rapper from Tampa, Florida, who had the honor of being featured in Barack Obama’s new summer Spotify playlist. A well-deserved spotlight for the woman who, since 2016, has brilliantly been mixing pop, dance, and hip-hop. Influenced by Nicki Minaj and Lauryn Hill, the artist also has ballet, tap dance, gymnastics, comedy, and cheerleading classes to her credit. In short, the performer of the sexy house hit Persuasive (2022), who has already collaborated with Missy Elliott and SZA, has all the makings of a future star.
2. GloRilla
With a few tracks and rather daring videos, Memphis-born American rapper GloRilla has become one of the most talked-about figures in American hip-hop, imposing a presence and swagger reminiscent of Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B. In the video of Tomorrow – viewed over 3 million times – she twerks in a private jet, along with friends holding wads of cash between their manicured nails. The artist’s boundless energy and charisma suggest that GloRilla is likely to spark interest in the coming months.
3. Latto
Alyssa Michelle Stephens, aka Latto (ex-Mulatto), is a 23-year-old American rapper who first appeared in the reality show The Rap Game back in 2016. Since then, she has released several mixtapes, albums, and acclaimed singles, including the addictive Big Energy (2021). Little known in Europe, Latto is a popular figure in the US where she has collaborated with Future, Gucci Mane, Mariah Carey, and Saweetie. She even appeared in Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s incendiary video for WAP (2020).
4. Flo
British R’n’B trio Flo managed to attract high-profile fans like Missy Elliot and SZA with one hit only, Cardboard Box. The song, which talks about leaving your ex-boyfriends behind, has a lot to offer. With its vintage production and its sweet and innocent vocals, it instantly takes us back to the R’n’B of the 1990s and 2000s, at the crossroads between Destiny’s Child, Brandy & Monica duo, and TLC.
5. Lala &ce
The charismatic rapper with a venomous charm and badass LGBT icon from Lyon, France, is back with the invigorating SunSystem, a sunny EP full of carnal dancehall and reggaeton summer hits. A beautiful tribute to Lala &ce’s Ivorian roots, she who never forgets who she is, even when she is aiming at the star of mainstream success.
6. Flo Milli
The colorful Alabama-born rapper Tamia Monique Carter, aka Flo Milli, owes TikTok much of her fame. Songs like Beef FloMix (2020) and In the Party (2020) have gone viral on the Gen Z platform. But the 22-year-old artist deserves this buzz with flying colors. A sunny, sharp flow, clever lyrics, and a magnetic aura make her one of the most promising figures in contemporary American hip-hop. And her debut album You Still Here, Ho?, released on July 20th, only confirms her talent. Heavily influenced by the 2000s, it includes a featuring with the fascinating Rico Nasty.
7. Mabel
At 26, Mabel Alabama-Pearl McVey, better known as Mabel, confirms that we were right to bet on her from the start with her second successful album, About Last Night…. Released on July 15th, it mixes disco, R’n’B, dance and pop music. We must say that the Swedish-born British singer and songwriter has a lot to offer. Her mother is the 90s hip-hop icon Neneh Cherry, and her father, Cameron McVey, is a producer who worked with Massive Attack, Portishead, and All Saints. But it’s a safe bet that with such a versatile voice and cheerful charisma, Mabel would have made it in the music industry even without her connections.
8. Lakeyah
Lakeyah Danaee Robinson, aka Lakeyah, 21, is a rapper from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She initially started slamming in her early teens and began rapping at the age of 15. A few years later, she moved to Atlanta and got noticed for her energetic freestyles. Since then, the artist’s fame has kept growing and some of her tracks have accumulated millions of views on YouTube. The ambassador of Savage X Fenty, Rihanna’s lingerie brand, has just released a new banger, the seminal Mind Yo Business, with the talented Latto as a special guest.
9. Sudan Archives
Whether it goes through her adventurous songs or her colorful music videos, musician Brittney Denise Parks, aka Sudan Archives, rarely disappoints. The Los Angeles-based violinist and singer, who taught herself to play the violin in elementary school, draws her inspiration from Sudanese sounds, American R’n’B, and electro to create a hypnotic music. This fall, she could become the center of attention thanks to the release of her second album Natural Brown Prom Queen coming out on September 9th, which tackles femininity and family.
