BEST R&B ALBUM
Girls Night Out BABYFACE
The 11-time Grammy winner’s versatility as a singer-songwriterproducer is still on point.
Babyface is also up for best R&B song (SZA’s “Snooze”) and best traditional R&B performance (“Simple,” featuring best new artist nominee Coco Jones). The latter track is among the 13 songs on his all-female collaborative album, Girls Night Out, a generation-bridging project that pairs Babyface with contemporary R&B/hip-hop talents that include Doechii, Ella Mai, Kehlani and Muni Long. Of staying in tune with music’s ever-changing scene, Babyface told Billboard earlier this year, “It’s always great to collaborate and get into a room and learn.”
What I Didn’t Tell You (Deluxe)
COCO JONES
Actress Jones (Disney Channel’s Let It Shine, Peacock’s Bel-Air) further solidified her dual career pursuit as a singer-songwriter with her fifth EP and first release for High Standardz/Def Jam Recordings. The project features her breakthrough R&B/hip-hop hit and first Billboard Hot 100 entry, “ICU” (nominated for best R&B song and best R&B performance), as well as the singles “Caliber” and “Double Back.” The deluxe edition’s four bonus tracks include her Babyface collaboration, “Simple.” Between her soulful, buttery vocals and savvy production by DJ Camper (H.E.R.) and London on Da Track (Summer Walker), among others, best new artist nominee Jones puts an indelible stamp on her songs about love and heartbreak.
Special Occasion EMILY KING
King’s prior nod was in 2021 for best R&B performance for “See Me,” inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. The four-time Grammy nominee began recording her latest
ATO Records album, her first since 2019’s Scenery, during the aftermath of a breakup. The singer-songwriter reunited with frequent collaborator Jeremy
Most for the 11-track set, which evolves King’s ongoing fusion of soul, R&B and pop set off by her sinuous vocals. Of note are the blues-chasing title track and “This Year” — which closed out a recent episode of the Max sitcom And Just Like That... — as well as “Bad Memory,” a duet with Lukas Nelson.
Jaguar II VICTORIA MONÉT
The ex-girl group member and hit songwriter (Ariana Grande, Blackpink, Travis Scott) returned to her singer roots with her
2023 debut album, Jaguar II, the sequel to her 2020 indie EP, Jaguar. With longtime collaborator and producer of the year nominee D’Mile on board, the album showcases Monét’s creative range — from Southern rap to dancehall and styles in between — as well as the best new artist nominee’s charismatic vocals and intuitive sense of what will click musically. Highlights include “Party Girls” (featuring Buju Banton), “Hollywood” (featuring Earth, Wind & Fire and daughter Hazel Monét and up for best traditional R&B performance) and “On My Mama,” nominated for record of the year and best R&B song.
Clear 2: Soft Life EP SUMMER WALKER
This marks Walker’s second Grammy nomination after her nod as a featured artist/ songwriter on “Purple Hearts” from Kendrick Lamar’s 2023 album of the year nominee, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers. The sequel to 2019’s Clear EP finds the artist focusing on herself and motherhood as she seeks inner peace and empowerment on the other side of heartbreak. With production from Solange, Steve Lacy and others, the nine-track set offers a pleasing mix of live instrumentation and neosoul jazzy vibes — reminiscent of Erykah Badu — as Walker’s expressive vocals take on added confidence. Among the notable tracks: “Finding Peace,” spoken-word finale “Agayu’s Revelation” and opener “To Summer, From Cole (Audio Hug).”