There's a nice mix of both young and established R&B artists releasing music this month, including crossover superstars T-Pain and Rihanna, longtime R&B veterans Carl Thomas and Eddie & Gerald Levert, plus little-known, yet up-and-coming talented artist Chrisette Michelle. And an album your Guide has been waiting on for years - years! - is finally coming out this month: it's the sophomore release by the socially-conscious singer Donnie, a cousin of the late great Marvin Gaye.
1. T-Pain - Epiphany
The Tallahassee rapper-turned-singer's second album features guest appearances by Akon as well as Yung Joc, who's featured on the album's first single, the stripped-down, seductive "Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin')." It's due out in the U.S. on June 12.
2. Rihanna - Good Girl Gone Bad
Cover © Def Jam.
Rihanna's third album has production from hip-hop talents including Cee-Lo and Timbaland, as well as guest appearances by Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake and Ne-Yo. It will be released by Island/Def Jam on June 5. You can stream the audio for album's first single, "Umbrella," right HERE.
3. Carl Thomas - So Much Better
Cover © Bungalow Records.
The latest release by the super-smooth singer comes out June 5 on Bungalow Records. You can read the About R&B review of the album HERE.
4. Chrisette Michele - I Am
Album cover © Def Jam.
Chrisette is best known right now for singing hooks on rappers' songs, but on her debut album, which comes out June 19, she steps into the spotlight as a solo artist. You can read the About R&B review of the album HERE.
5. Donnie - The Daily News
Cover © SoulThought Entertainment.
The long-awaited (by me, anyway) second album by this intelligent, soulful R&B singer comes out June 19 on the indie SoulThought label. You can read the About R&B review of it HERE.
6. Eddie & Gerald Levert - Something to Talk About
Cover © Atlantic Records.
The second posthumous release by Gerald Levert is an album of duets between him and his father, legendary O'Jays singer Eddie Levert. It comes out on June 12. You can check out the About R&B review of it by clicking on the link below.
7. Adina Howard - Private Show
This sexually-charged singer, who's best known for the '90s hit "Freak Like Me," had her new album delayed many, many times over the last few years, but Private Show was finally released on June 26.
8. Keith Sweat - Sweat Hotel Live
This live album features songs with Akon (this dude's on everybody's album!), Monica and Silk, among others. It comes out June 12 on the Shout! Factory label.