Music
Chloe Bailey, “I’m More Than Just R&B – It’s Time to Break the Genre Mold!”
Chloe Bailey has been a star for most of her life. Breaking out as half of the duo Chloe x Halle in 2016, she achieved major success alongside her sister before going solo in 2021. Her debut album garnered praise from fans and critics alike for its musical ambition and eclectic blend of sounds. Despite her efforts to defy easy categorization with her art, Bailey finds herself repeatedly tagged with the label of R&B. She discussed this frustrating situation during a recent interview with Nylon.
Bailey explained that her R&B categorization stems from the color of her skin, not her sound. “Any music I do will easily and quickly be categorized as R&B because I’m a Black woman,” she noted. “If someone who didn’t have my skin tone made the same music, it would be in the pop categories. That’s just the way it’s always been in life.” As Bailey has grown older, her desire to break out of genre constraints has intensified. While she has found chart success, she is now seeking artistic success on her own terms. Bailey cited two singers who managed to shed the R&B label, one of whom is her mentor.
Chloe Bailey admired Beyoncé’s album “Cowboy Carter.” Having signed to the icon’s label in 2016, Bailey had a front-row seat to Beyoncé’s genre experimentation. “I was really proud of Beyoncé doing ‘Cowboy Carter’,” she asserted. “Because Black people originated country music. It’s just showing that possibilities are endless.” Bailey also mentioned Whitney Houston as a Black, female singer who proved that true crossover success is attainable.
However, Bailey isn’t aiming for Houston’s pop or Beyoncé’s country on her new album. She told Nylon that she’s carving out her own genre and musical path, inspired by the sounds of the Caribbean. The outlet cites “calypso, gospel, Afrobeats, and Carnival band music” as influences on her upcoming album, “Trouble In Paradise.” Bailey agreed, describing an overarching theme for the album as “[a] coming-of-age celebration of being a woman and having fun. Not taking life too seriously.” We can’t wait to hear it.
Artist Spotlight
Cali Tucker Unwraps Christmas Magic With Her New EP “Santa Baby”
Cali Tucker is back in the spotlight this season with “Santa Baby,” a beautifully made holiday EP that captures the heart, warmth, and timeless glow of Christmas classics. Cali is known for singing the National Anthem at NASCAR’s Pennzoil 400 in front of 80,000 fans and more than three million people at home. She brings the same powerful presence and emotional depth to this holiday project.
“Santa Baby” is a great holiday release for music lovers, bloggers, and new artist discovery sites. It has six tracks and lasts 20 minutes. It mixes nostalgia with Cali’s signature smooth vocals. Each song shows off her talent, but “O Holy Night” and “The Christmas Song” are two that stand out as favorites. Both performances show off her range, control, and ability to bring classic songs into modern emotional spaces without losing their original charm.
“O Holy Night” stands out as the EP’s spiritual center, with a glowing performance full of dynamics, warmth, and a cinematic stillness that draws people in. Cali gives the song both respect and a unique touch, breathing new life into a well-known hymn. “The Christmas Song,” on the other hand, makes you feel like you’re sitting next to a fire. It’s soft, heartfelt, and full of stories that make you feel nostalgic. Cali’s voice flows effortlessly through every note, making it impossible not to feel the magic of the season.
The whole EP flows easily and has a mix of fun sparkle, soulful warmth, and classic Christmas music. “Santa Baby” is the perfect song for the season, whether people are making holiday playlists, looking for new Christmas music, or discovering new vocal talents. This EP adds a new but familiar sound to today’s holiday music scene. It has a comforting feel and is easy to listen to repeatedly.
Artist Spotlight
Kalpee Honors Heritage and Heart on His Emotion-Rich New EP Dougla Boi
Kalpee is back with Dougla Boi, a beautiful new EP that is both personal and powerful. It gives listeners a close look at the layers of identity, heritage, and emotion that make him who he is. The Trinidad and Tobago artist is confident in his own space, which is rooted in New Calypso and polished with hints of dancehall, R&B, and afrobeats. In this space, genre bends, but emotion leads.
Named after the Trinidadian word for someone of mixed African and Indian heritage, Dougla Boi is honest, proud, and warm about the complexities of culture. Kalpee opens a window into the dualities that define him across six tracks, turning personal truth into universal resonance. The EP is just under 19 minutes long, but every second is carefully planned to take listeners on a journey through courage, joy, healing, and the quiet strength that comes from accepting all parts of yourself.
The first single, “Under,” stands out right away for its calming yet emotionally charged experience. Kalpee’s voice flows over a beat that sounds both new and old, fitting the EP’s theme of bringing cultures together. It’s one of the best examples of how he can mix soft and hard sounds, which is what makes his New Calypso sound so unique.
“Everybody,” which features Full Blown, is another excellent song that has already done very well. It has a happy vibe and an infectious bounce, making it one of the EP’s most replayable songs. “Everybody” captures the spirit of community and shared experience, which is what Kalpee means when he says that identity is not a box but a rhythm.
Connect with Kalpee: Instagram
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