There are five categories devoted to R&B housed in the R&B, rap and spoken poetry field at the 68th annual Grammy Awards. Here, we preview the performance and songwriting categories: best R&B performance, best R&B song and best traditional R&B performance.

Best R&B Performance

As the eligibility period drew to a close on Aug. 30, three R&B songs emerged as near-definite locks for a best R&B performance nomination at next year’s ceremony: “Mutt” (Leon Thomas), “Burning Blue” (Mariah the Scientist) and “Folded” (Kehlani). All three tracks dominated R&B radio, reinvigorated the culture and achieved ample crossover success, reaching the Hot 100‘s top 25.

Because “Mutt” was eligible (and submitted for consideration) at last year’s ceremony, Thomas opted to vie for Grammy gold with a live version of the track sourced from his viral NPR Tiny Desk set. Not only is “Mutt” the biggest commercial success out of this crop of contenders (it hit No. 11 on the Hot 100 and recently entered the top 10 on Pop Airplay), but the song’s chances of a nod are also bolstered by Thomas’ overall momentum and goodwill from years of behind-the-boards work, as well as recent precedent.

At the 2025 ceremony, Muni Long won this category with a live version of “Made for Me.” With submissions across the R&B field, a best R&B song victory already under his belt (thanks to his work on SZA’s “Snooze”) and a deft campaign, expect a particularly splashy nominations announcement morning for Thomas. After years of percolating outside of R&B’s mainstream, Mariah the Scientist broke through in a major way with “Burning Blue” this year. The self-penned hit topped Rhythmic Airplay and gave way to the highest-charting album of Mariah’s career, August’s Hearts Sold Separately (No. 11 on the Billboard 200). A nomination here would be Mariah’s first in any Grammy category.

Kehlani’s “Folded” is also peaking at the perfect time, and its throwback ’00s feel has inspired unofficial remixes from past Grammy winners Brandy and Toni Braxton. Kehlani scored three nods at last year’s ceremony, bringing her to five career nominations with zero wins. Coco Jones, a seven-time Grammy nominee and previous winner here for “ICU” in 2024, will probably snag the fourth spot with “You,” a single from her Why Not More? LP.

Justin Bieber‘s “Yukon” leads the next tier of contenders. The breakout SWAG hit topped Rhythmic Airplay and boasts songwriting and production credits from buzzy alt-R&B craftsmen Dijon, Carter Lang, and Sir Dylan, but it still faces an uphill battle. Bieber’s “Peaches” scored R&B performance and song nods back in 2022, but that song featured two Grammy-nominated R&B stars (Daniel Caesar and Giveon) and topped the Hot 100. In comparison, “Yukon” only reached No. 17. Can Bieber pull off another nod in this category by himself?

Other second-tier contenders include SZA (“Another Life”), Summer Walker (“Heart of a Woman”), Chris Brown and Bryson Tiller (“It Depends”), and Giveon, who submitted both his own “Twenties” and his Teddy Swims duet, “Are You Even Real.” If R&B voters decide to ignore Bieber, look out for Chris and Tiller to snag that final spot off the strength of the Breezy Bowl XX tour, the song’s current upwards momentum and the glow of Brown’s best R&B album victory at last year’s ceremony. Of course, SZA could always be a namecheck nominee.

Who are some wild cards to keep an eye on? “Make a Baby,” a vocal masterclass of a duet between Grammy winners Tori Kelly and Lucky Daye, could surprise here, as could Alex Isley‘s “Hands” or Fridayy‘s “Back to You,” both of which made inroads on R&B radio this year. Daye is also contending alongside Teyana Taylor with “Hard Part,” a standout from her Escape Plan album, which could benefit from her One Battle After Another-induced Oscar buzz. Kenyon Dixon has scored a nomination for best traditional R&B performance in three of the past five years, and this year, he’s contending here with “Circle of Love,” alongside Terrace Martin and Robert Glasper.

Ravyn Lenae’s monster hit “Love Me Not” is competing in the pop field, but if R&B voters want to show her some love, they can throw their support behind “Love Is Blind” in this category. Additionally, Cleo Sol has only bolstered her cult following over the past year, and she could be rewarded with a nomination for “Fear When You Fly.” Other dark horses in this race include “Worst Behaviour” (kwn & Kehlani) and “Overqualified” (Durand Bernarr).

Our Fearless Forecast

Our predictions are: “Mutt (NPR Live)” (Leon Thomas), “Burning Blue” (Mariah the Scientist), “Folded” (Kehlani), “You” (Coco Jones) and “Circle of Love” (Terrace Martin, Kenyon Dixon & Robert Glasper).

Best R&B Song

The nominees for best R&B performance and song often overlap, but rarely do they align exactly. “Burning Blue” and “Folded” will likely reap bids in this category, and Thomas is also likely to pick up a nomination. Instead of “Mutt (NPR Live),” the Billboard cover star is contending with “Yes It Is,” which hit No. 43 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. If Kehlani, Thomas and The Scientist are locks, who do the last two slots go to?

The past four winners in this category have been R&B songs that earned undeniable crossover success; Silk Sonic’s “Leave the Door Open,” Beyoncé’s “Cuff It” and SZA’s “Snooze” and “Saturn” all reached the top 10 of the Hot 100. With that in mind, Breezy and Tiller’s “It Depends” is probably a safe bet for a nod here. Both men have been previously nominated in this category, and “It Depends” rode a viral dance trend to the Hot 100’s top 30. Bieber’s “Yukon” also has a strong shot here, which allows R&B voters to honor not just the Canadian pop star, but also the new-age R&B savants that helped craft the song.

Beyoncé is this category’s biggest winner, with five wins, and she’s a credited songwriter on Taylor and Daye’s “Hard Part,” thanks to an interpolation of Jay-Z’s “Family Feud.” In Grammy Land, it’s never a bad thing to have The Carters attached to your submission. SZA (“Chill Baby”) and Coco Jones (“On Sight”) get lots of love from R&B voters, but their submissions this year aren’t nearly as strong as some of their past ones, so it wouldn’t be too much of a shocker if either (or both) of them missed a nod here. Giveon could also show up with either “Twenties” or Swims’ “Are You Even Real,” but likely not both.

At least one traditional-skewing R&B song makes it into this category each year, and this time around, that spot could go to “Make a Baby” (Kelly & Daye), “Where You Gonna Go” (Eric Roberson & BJ the Chicago Kid) or “Circle of Love” (Terrace Martin, Kenyon Dixon & Robert Glasper).

Additional songs to keep an eye on here include “Heart of a Woman” (Summer Walker), “Stare At Me” (Jane Handcock & Anderson .Paak), “Blame U” (Odeal), “Lucid Girl” (Thee Sacred Souls), “Out of My Hands” (SiR & Maeta), “Love Is Blind” (Ravyn Lenae), “Yamaha” (Dijon), and “Baptized In Fear” (The Weeknd).

Our Fearless Forecast

Our predictions are: “Yes It Is” (Leon Thomas), “Burning Blue” (Mariah the Scientist), “Folded” (Kehlani), “Yukon” (Justin Bieber) and “It Depends” (Chris Brown & Bryson Tiller).

Best Traditional R&B Performance

Aiming to honor “recordings that embody the classical elements of R&B/soul music, distinguishing them from contemporary interpretations of the genre,” the best traditional R&B performance Grammy doesn’t always go to the most commercially successful song.

Lalah Hathaway, who’s tied with Beyoncé as this category’s biggest winner (with three wins each) and with Anthony Hamilton as the category’s most-nominated artist (with five nods each), is a leading contender this year with her Ariza-assisted “Uptown.” The song appears on an expanded edition of her Vantablack LP, which earned two nominations at last year’s ceremony. Ledisi, another previous victor in this category, appears on the ballot with “Love You Too,” which reached No. 14 on Adult R&B Airplay earlier this year. Between her soaring rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” at the 2025 Super Bowl, her standout performance of “BLKWMN” at this year’s BET Awards, and the recent buzz from her new Dinah Washington tribute album, Ledisi is practically a shoo-in here.

Coco Jones and Alicia Keys have both earned a nomination here in the past, and their “Other Side of Love” duet should have little trouble making it to the final five. BJ the Chicago Kid is a three-time nominee here, so his Eric Roberson duet, “Where You Gonna Go,” is a solid bet, as is Jon Batiste‘s Andra Day-assisted “Lean on My Love.” Eric Benét delivered a strong album cycle with The Co-Star and his India.Arie duet, “Must Be Love,” reached No. 13 on Adult R&B Airplay. Keep an eye out for that one too.

And then there’s the Leon Thomas question. He’s contending here with “Vibes Don’t Lie,” a fan-favorite Mutt deep cut that may have missed some voters’ radars. In past years, artists have been nominated (and even won) here when their albums dominate the overall conversation. In 2023, Beyoncé’s Renaissance earned nine nominations and won four, including best traditional R&B performance for “Plastic Off the Sofa.” The following year, SZA’s SOS also snagged nine nods, including a citation in this category for “Love Language.” If R&B voters go all in on Thomas this year, expect “Vibes Don’t Lie” to appear in the final lineup.

Additional potential nominees include “Crybaby” (SZA), “Here We Are” (Durand Bernarr), “Lucid Girl” (Thee Sacred Souls), “Let’s Stay Together” (Ann Nesby & Calvin Richardson) and “When a Man Cries” (Leon Bridges).

Our Fearless Forecast

Our predictions are: “Love You Too” (Ledisi), “Other Side of Love” (Coco Jones & Alicia Keys), “Lean On My Love” (Jon Batiste & Andra Day), “Crybaby” (SZA) and “Vibes Don’t Lie” (Leon Thomas).

Does Rihanna not know how to pronounce her own name? For years, much of the world has been going with “Rih-AH-na,” which, as RihRih has told us, is not right. It’s actually pronounced “Rih-ANN-na,” though judging from her appearance in the legendary 2009 Saturday Night Live “Shy Ronnie” sketch, maybe we were right all along?

In the bit, Rihanna and Ronnie (Andy Samberg) are dropping knowledge to a group of grade schoolers with the singer crooning in her power range as timid Ronnie can barely rise above a whisper to her utter consternation. At the top, Rihanna introduces herself using what we’ve learned is the incorrect pronunciation of her name, so what gives?

On the new episode of The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers Podcast — on which the Samberg-led trio and late night host break down some of their classic digital shorts and other comedy projects — Naked Gun director Schaffer finally untangled the “Shy Ronnie” moniker muddle. “Andy went, ‘Ree-awn-uh and Shy Ronnie,’” Schaffer explained of Samberg’s slip-up when recording the intro to the temp track that was meant to guide Rihanna’s performance. “And then she was so great at recording exactly Andy’s inflections to get the jokes perfect that she did that [too].”

In other words, blame Samberg and praise Rihanna for being a consummate professional.

Schaffer said on the pod that when he later heard Rihanna introduce herself using the right pronunciation he was even more confused. “I heard her say her name to somebody else out loud, and I went, ‘Why did you say “Ree-ANN-uh”? Wait, is your name Ree-ann-uh?’” Schaffer said, noting that her actual name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty.

When Schaffer asked what the singer’s mom calls her, he said Rihanna laughed, “‘Ree-ANN-ah,’ and I’m like, ‘Aw.’”

Samberg took the time to once again note that the trio are “huge Rihanna fans,” making sure it was clear that he now knows how to properly say her name. “She told us it’s ‘Rih-ANN-ah,’ and we were like, ‘Why don’t you correct people?’” Samberg recalled asking. “[And] she’s like, ‘I don’t care.’” They went on to gush about the singer’s flawless technique and joke about how her team basically kicked them out of their office and “put silks over all the lamps and dimmed all the lights and lit candles” to create a chilled-out atmosphere for the vocal recording session.

Her engineer then hopped on one of their computers and got to work as the trio asked if they needed to be talked through the bit. “She’s like, ‘I got it,’” Samberg said. “So we were sitting outside on the couch like little kids. And then we could sort of hear it happening,” noting that it only took 30-40 minutes for Rih to finish her bit. “And they played it back for us and we were like, ‘Oh s–t, it’s perfect!,’” Samberg added of the rushed shoot, which they then had to nail in just 45 minutes despite prepping a number of elaborate sets and waiting eight hours that day to get started.

It wasn’t that bad, since Samberg and Rihanna were back for a sequel a year later in “Shy Ronnie 2: Ronnie & Clyde.”

Watch the “Shy Ronnie” clip here and listen to the podcast below.

Podcasters have emerged as key players in shaping conversations around Latin music and culture. Once viewed as a niche medium, podcasts now stand at the forefront of connecting audiences with authentic voices and amplifying narratives that reflect Latin music’s global influence.

During Latin Music Week, four of the most influential voices in the Latin podcast world — Alofoke (aka Santiago Matías), Dímelo King (Elkin de la Hoz), Leo Rojas (of Escuela de Nada) and Molusco (Jorge Pabón) — will explore the rising power of the format and its impact on the Latin entertainment industry.

From Alofoke’s role in championing the música urbana movement in the Dominican Republic — where his platform has served as an incubator for emerging reggaetón and dembow stars like Mami Jordan and Rochy RD — to Molusco’s unfiltered interviews with Puerto Rican heavyweights like Residente and Anuel AA, these podcasters wield massive influence. With millions tuning into Molusco TV, his conversations often spark viral moments that keep audiences engaged and talking.

Dímelo King, celebrated for bridging music and digital storytelling in Colombia, brings a bold and controversy-ready approach, with episodes featuring artists such as Akapellah sparking debates on the authenticity of rap. Meanwhile, Rojas — along with Chris Andrade and Nacho Redondo — delivers a blend of sharp humor and cultural commentary on Escuela de Nada, a Venezuelan podcast that covers topics including sports, politics and entertainment.

“We’ve created trends in podcasting,” says Alofoke, who recently struck a music distribution deal with Sony Music. “For example, we brought in big screens and spectacular sound booths, which have been replicated in other countries. We have a great platform, a great audience, and we’ve worked music for over 20 years.”

This story appears in the Oct. 11, 2025, issue of Billboard.

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David Guetta is heading to the Magic City to ring in 2026, as the chart-topping DJ has been announced as the headlining performer for Fontainebleau Miami Beach’s New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Guetta will take over the property’s oceanfront pool deck and event space for a special DJ set, before leading a virtual ball drop and countdown to the New Year. Other live entertainment offerings on the night are sure to include plenty of music and dancing, along with a view of the fireworks over the water.

Fontainebleau is offering a number of packages to its New Year’s Eve celebrations, with tickets starting at $250 for open bar and general admission, to $500 for VIP admission, which includes a premium open bar, access to poolside restaurant La Côte’s private viewing areas, and complimentary light bites. Guests can also book reserved tables and cabanas, with prices starting from $5,000. Families, meantime, can book a spot at the all-ages outdoor viewing party on the property’s Ocean Lawn.

Guetta’s Miami appearance comes on the heels of Calvin Harris’ headlining New Year’s Eve set last year, which helped to close out the Fontainebleau’s year-long 70th anniversary celebrations.

“Fontainebleau Miami Beach is thrilled to ring in 2026 with an unforgettable New Year’s Eve celebration, which always proves to be our grandest event of the year,” says Phillip Goldfarb, Chief Operating Officer of Fontainebleau Development. “David Guetta will deliver an electrifying performance, bringing his signature high-energy sound that will set the stage for an extraordinary start to the New Year for our guests.”

The Fontainebleau Miami Beach date will be a rare opportunity for fans to see Guetta perform in the U.S. The French DJ just finished his summer residency at Ushuaïa Ibiza, and is currently on a South American tour. While he has a standing residency at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, Guetta only has one date left this year, in November.

Guetta’s New Year’s Eve announcement comes on the heels of the artist’s recent headphones collaboration with European electronics brand, Loewe. announced as the new global ambassador for Loewe, helping to launch their first-ever pair of over-ear headphones, dubbed the “Loewe leo.”