While Latin stars like Bad Bunny and Karol G are riding a wave of success in the music industry, the R&B and rap/hip-hop genres are starting to revive with new players getting in the game. This resurgence can be attributed in part to high-profile collaborations between artists like Lizzo and Cardi B on “Rumors,” which peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart.
Whether it’s streamed online or played on the radio, R&B and rap/hip-hop music have had a noticeable increase in popularity, especially from female artists. According to a 2021 RIAA report, rap/hip-hop and R&B are among the most popular music genres for people aged 13 to 55. Some iconic women that have released new music include Mary J. Blige with her Good Morning, Gorgeous album and Beyonce’s July release of Renaissance.
Read on to explore four trending women in the R&B and hip-hop world, and see who will be on tour in 2023.
Ari Lennox
Born Courtney Shanade Salter, Ari Lennox started releasing her music independently in 2012, before signing with J. Cole’s label, Dreamville Records. She featured on Cole’s single “Change” and had a successful debut with the release of her Pho EP in 2016. Lennox got more mainstream attention when her first studio album, Shea Butter Baby, dropped in 2019. With vocal abilities comparable to Erykah Badu, Lennox’s music “successfully blends individual slices of classic Motown, modern R&B, and new-age soul” (The Gateway Online, 2016).
Ari Lennox draws inspiration for her music from soul and R&B icons like Minnie Riperton, Mary J. Blige, and Whitney Houston. Borrowing techniques from these performers, she crafts music that can be described as ‘vulnerable’ and ‘honest’. Take the chance to see Ari Lennox live when she embarks on the Age/Sex/Location tour, spanning 27 U.S. cities. You’ll be able to see this star perform hits like “Pressure,” “Queen Space” and more.
Latto
As the season one winner of The Rap Game, this 23-year-old artist is rising through the ranks within the music industry. Latto, formerly known as Mulatto, has been making music since she was a kid. Years of dedication to her craft paid off with the release of her 2019 single “B*tch from da Souf,” which led to Latto signing with RCA Records. This song along with “Muwop” feat. Gucci Mane was certified platinum and would appear on Latto’s debut album, Queen of da Souf (2020).
Latto started gaining mainstream success with the release of “Big Energy,” the top single from her second album 777. “Big Energy” won Song of the Year at the 2022 BET Hip-Hop Awards and was nominated for Best Melodic Rap Performance at the 2023 Grammy Awards. Make sure that you catch this dynamic rapper live as Latto supports Lizzo on The Special Tour.
Tems
This singer is bringing a unique sound to both Nigerian and international music scenes. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, as Temilade Openiyi, Tems has harbored an interest in music since she was a kid. She learned to play the piano and often practiced singing and performing with her brother. Openiyi cites artists like Adele, Lauryn Hill, and Paramore as her musical influences. Shortly after college, Tems quit her day job to focus solely on her music career. She would go on to release two EPs: For Broken Ears (2020) and If Orange Was a Place (2021).
In between releasing her EPs, Tems would provide vocals and work with artists like Drake and Future. She started gaining more attention after featuring on Wizkid’s single “Essence.” This single earned the duo the Best Collaboration Award at the 2022 BET Awards and two Grammy nominations. While Wizkid beat Tems for Favorite Afrobeats Artist at the 2022 AMA Awards, she claimed the title of Best New Artist at the 2022 Soul Train Awards. Most recently, Tems covered Bob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry” for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack.
Doja Cat
Introducing a burst of energy and color to the rap game, not seen since Nicki Minaj’s Barbie days, Doja Cat has become one of the genre’s biggest stars. Her most recent album, Planet Her, secured a six-month slot within the Top 10 Billboard Hot 200 charts. Planet Her was the fifth most streamed album on Spotify in 2021 and featured eccentric and empowering lyrics.
Doja Cat made quite the impression in pop culture in 2018 when she released the single “Mooo!” and became an internet meme. Her social media presence on platforms like TikTok did wonders for promoting her music, making singles like “Say So” and “Streets” trend. In 2021, her albums Hot Pink and Planet Her both charted on the Billboard Top R&B Albums list. Doja Cat won a Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Kiss Me More” feat. SZA and her single “Vegas” was nominated for Best Rap Performance in the 2023 Grammys.
Buy R&B and Rap Tickets Today
Whether you would rather experience concerts from greats like Anita Baker and Nicki Minaj or check out the stylings of newer artists like Latto and Ari Lennox, TicketSmarter has all types of R&B and hip-hop/rap tickets.
