Miguel, Larissa Lambert, ilham, And More New R&B For Sensitive Gangstas

Miguel – “El Pleito”

Miguel is promoting his upcoming album while also honoring Hispanic Heritage Month with his new single, “El Pleito.” A Spanish term meaning “the dispute,” the record ties in the crooner’s story to the “universal immigrant experience— a negotiation of opportunity and sacrifice.”

He explained in a statement, “‘El Pleito’ is me making peace with what change through chaos costs and saluting anyone who bets on possibility lejos de casa.” It comes on the heels of “Angel’s Song,” a ballad dedicated to his one-year-old son.

Both will appear on his new album, CAOS, out on October 23.

Larissa Lambert – ‘Chronosick’

Larissa Lambert is a rising R&B sensation welcoming new and old fans into her world with her sophomore EP, Chronosick. Executive produced by Grammy-nominated hitmaker Khaled Rohaim, the seven-track project is an all-consuming sonic experience that aptly highlights Larissa’s genre-defying versatility.

“I wanted to create a project that captures the emotions I feel from 90s and 2000s music. That’s why I named it ‘Chronosick’ — a word I use to describe being sick for another era or timeline,” she explained in a statement.

From the moody intro track, “Hurts Anymore” to the groovy “Blue Collar Baby,” the nostalgic “9 to 5,” the current fan-favorite, “Cardio,” the project is hypnotizing and intended to be played on repeat.

ilham – ‘uhm…ok?’

ilham is back on her own terms with her highly-anticipated indie EP, uhm…ok?.

Across 10 tracks, she soundtracks her freedom as she reclaims her voice and applauds the journey ahead. Executive produced by ilham herself, Fridayy, and MOMBRU, uhm…ok? is a sonic blend of pop, R&B, and house interlaced with the lyrics that details the importance of protecting your peace, not harboring resentment and acknowledging the quiet strength in being able to do so.

“‘uhm…ok?’ is about trying to make sense of things that just don’t make sense,” ilham shared in a statement. “That’s the ‘uhm…ok?’ mentality. It’s a movement; a collective of people who have been through some shit. Instead of being pressed or hard on yourself, control what you can and let go of the things you thought you couldn’t.”

She described the EP as a “mindset turned project — a reflection of what happens when you’ve had enough,” teasing, “Sometimes, you just gotta hit someone with an ‘uhm…ok?’ and keep it pushing.” Standout tracks include the title track, “no favors,” and “need you (on me).”

Qiuntellii, Eric Bellinger – “Sensitive Gangsta”

Budding R&B phenom Qiuntellii reunites with Eric Bellinger for the sultry, introspective “Sensitive Gangsta.”

Described as a love letter for women who possess both softness and strength, the men praise those who are ” tough enough to survive, but tender enough to love deeply.”

 Rising R&B artist Qiuntellii returns with “Sensitive Gangsta,” a soulful and introspective new single featuring Grammy-winner Eric Bellinger. The track marks the duo’s second collaboration following their acclaimed hit “Talk to Me,” and showcases the same undeniable chemistry fans have come to love.

“It’s an ode to the kind of femininity that doesn’t compromise, and a message of admiration— letting the ladies know it’s more than okay to be a sensitive gangsta,” said the crooner in a statement.

The record is a preview into what fans can expect from Qiuntellii’s upcoming EP.

Amber Mark – “Too Much”

We’re so close to indulging in Amber Mark‘s sophomore album, Pretty Idea, but the songbird is keeping us satiated with her new single, “Too Much.”

The funky, romantic tune interpolates the 2004 classic hit, “My Boo,” from Usher and Alicia Keys, Mark’s rendition poses the question of whether or not her love is “too much” to handle. “Is it too much if I’m thinking about you daily? / It isn’t too much, late night calling me up all wavy / Stop playing, you know I’m your favorite / Let’s not complicate it / Boy, you gotta say it isn’t too much,” she sings on the hook.  

When teasing the album, Mark noted: “This album carries many highs and lows and lessons I didn’t know I needed. So excited to finally share these songs with you. Consider this my way of turning all my bad ideas into Pretty ones.” 

Reggie Becton – ‘The Last Great American Summer’

Reggie Becton is a blossoming R&B force back with his long-awaited sophomore album, The Last Great American Summer.

The cinematic “A24-esque” LP sounds like freedom and preservation. For the crooner, it’s not just a personal soundtrack, but serves as a “late millennial coming of age story.” It’s a genre-blending escape that daringly merges yacht rock, Americana, and R&B into something all its own.

“This album is about me defining life and success on my own terms,” said Becton in a statement. “While making this project I wanted to burn every belief that was ever ‘given’, ‘taught’, and/or ‘preached’ to me about life and music. I wanted to learn myself, create music, and live life at my own pace and forge a perspective I could truly call my own”. He adds, “This project is ‘Future Nostalgia’; me writing from a place of being I hope to one day reach…’free living with the absence of fear.’”

Standout songs include the feel-good anthem, “Die Young,” the seductive “DND,” the vibrant “Purple Rain OG,” the brutally honest “PRETTY B**CHES,” and the hypnotizing “Simple” with Tiara Thomas.

GIGI – “Make Up”

GIGI is back with “Make Up,” the second single from her debut EP, Between Us.

While her debut single, “LMK,” was more sensual, the new offering highlights vulnerability and the fragility of rebuilding trust. GIGI explained in a statement, “This EP is about the real moments of relationships; the passion, the mistakes, the joy, and the heartbreak. ‘Make Up’ is about admitting when you’ve fallen short and fighting for something you don’t want to lose.”

The EP is set for release this Fall.

Hymn Marley – “Not Today”

Hymn Marley is the newest descendant of the iconic family who needs to be on your musical radar.

With his single, “Not Today,” Hymn is calling for listeners to reclaim their peace and protect it through the empowering anthem.

As the son of Stephen Marley and Kerry Ann-Smith and grandson of Bob and Rita Marley, the reggae legacy runs deep, but this record leans more into house-pop genres.

“’Not Today’ is for when you’ve had enough,” Hymn noted. “It’s about being intentional with your peace, protecting your energy, and knowing when to say no.”

Through the single, Hymn hopes to create a world where “legacy and innovation can co-exist [and] island roots meet modern rebellion.” This is just the beginning as he prepares to release his forthcoming EP later this year.