Accessibility links
R&B/Soul NPR Music stories that feature R&B and soul music.

R&B/Soul

Teezo Touchdown's search for the perfect breakthrough

With a catalog that almost resembles a mosaic, and a penchant for dressing the part, no matter what that part might be, it can be hard to anticipate Teezo Touchdown's next move. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

toggle caption
Courtesy of the artist

Music Interviews

Teezo Touchdown's search for the perfect breakthrough

The stylish genre-bending rapper has been pursuing his moment for years. With his debut album, How Do You Sleep At Night?, he finally gets to make a big first impression.

Soul singer Brenton Wood

Brenton Wood's classic album Oogum Boogum Brenton Wood hide caption

toggle caption
Brenton Wood

Bullseye with Jesse Thorn

Soul singer Brenton Wood

It's almost impossible to be in a bad mood after hearing a song by Brenton Wood. His music has a sweetness and lightness with a bounce that conveys coolness. His music has helped define, what these days are called, Lowrider Oldies. Brenton Wood is now in his 80s, and he's absolutely still got it. If you can, you should go see him live. He is currently wrapping up his farewell tour. It's called the Catch You On The Rebound Tour. Brenton Wood joins Bullseye to talk about his career in music and what keeps him performing. Plus, we'll listen to some of his classic tracks from over the years.

Soul singer Brenton Wood

Listen · 51:14
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1196477857/1200397607" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
New Music Friday: The best releases out on Aug. 25

Burna Boy's I Told Them... tops our shortlist for the best new albums out on Aug. 25. Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Coachella hide caption

toggle caption
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Coachella

All Songs Considered

New Music Friday: The best releases out on Aug. 25

NPR Music's picks for the best albums out this week include global sensation Burna Boy, rising R&B star Victoria Monét and more.

New Music Friday: The best releases out on Aug. 25

Listen · 33:52
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1194606241/1199269846" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
'Struggler' is Genesis Owusu's bold follow-up to his hit debut album

Genesis Owusu BARTOLOMEO CELESTINO/Grandstand Media hide caption

toggle caption
BARTOLOMEO CELESTINO/Grandstand Media

Music Interviews

'Struggler' is Genesis Owusu's bold follow-up to his hit debut album

Genesis Owusu has won just about every award he could in his home country of Australia with his debut album. Now with album number two, he's ready to take on America.

'Struggler' is Genesis Owusu's bold follow-up to his hit debut album

Listen · 6:44
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1194972764/1194972765" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Smokey Robinson

Smokey Robinson at the Max Fun offices. Jesus Ambrosio/Maximum Fun hide caption

toggle caption
Jesus Ambrosio/Maximum Fun

Bullseye with Jesse Thorn

Smokey Robinson

There's no other way to put it, Smokey Robinson is a legend. The Motown great and former frontman of The Miracles is responsible for some of the greatest pop hits of the 20th century – "You've really got ahold of me," "Tears of a clown," "I Second That Emotion," "Crusin'" and many others. In 1960, The Miracles released "Shop Around." The song became a huge success. It became Motown's first million-selling hit record. Robinson eventually became Motown Records vice president and helped turn the label into a household name. Smokey Robinson is now 83. He's still recording. He is still writing. Earlier this year, he released Gasms. We'll talk with the Motown legend about his time with The Miracles, his solo career, his songwriting process and his brand new erotic concept album.

Smokey Robinson

Listen · 1:00:49
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1191184423/1200387465" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Crystal Rose came 'Mad' close to winning the Tiny Desk Contest

Crystal Rose's video for "Mad Black Woman" caught the eyes and ears of our Tiny Desk Contest judges. YouTube hide caption

toggle caption
YouTube

Tiny Desk Contest

Crystal Rose came 'Mad' close to winning the Tiny Desk Contest

"Mad Black Woman" was one of Tiny Desk Contest judge Sharon Van Etten's favorite 2023 entries.

Crystal Rose came 'Mad' close to winning the Tiny Desk Contest

Listen · 3:37
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1184139082/1184198924" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Browse archive or search npr.org