Alecia Hightower brings a refreshing blend of nostalgic, authentic, and relatable R&B, evoking the timeless essence of the genre while adding her own distinct flavor. With her soulful voice and emotional storytelling, she is helping restore the purity of R&B music in the best way possible. A proud U.S. Army veteran who has overcome a fair share of challenges, Alecia has emerged stronger, determined to make R&B music great again. Her poignant, heartfelt lyrics resonate deeply, capturing relatable tales with clarity and emotion. Music has been her lifelong passion, ignited at the age of 11 when she began writing, singing, and dancing in church, nurturing both her creativity and her craft. Alecia isn’t just another name in the growing wave of talent; she is a beacon of authenticity, vulnerability, and empowerment, redefining the R&B genre in her own unique way.

Alecia couldn’t be more excited to announce the upcoming release of her new EP, “STEPPING STONES,” one that is expected to officially release on the 3^rd of January 2025. This 4-track EP captures the themes of unbridled love, self-empowerment, sensuality, and really knowing what you want, your self-worth, and always keeping up with that.

The opener “Brainwashed” is quite unique and alluring. The traditional R&B structure is unmissable, but the song also has these dark pop-styled deep beats that are met by the dreamy and ethereal vocal presence of Alecia as the repetitive hook envelops a listener in a hauntingly beautiful embrace. Towards the first verse, Alecia’s vocals adopt this enchantingly slow tone, enticingly draggy and easy on the lips as she captures the essence of being easily deceived in love but with a self-empowering climax that reminds oneself of their inestimably great worth, beauty, intelligence, and limitless capability, delivered in a dreamy and poetic tone.

The title track “STEPPING STONES” also has a deep beat with a modern aesthetic as the captivating hook is delivered via the sweet-sounding voice of Alecia, as she effortlessly slides through the velvety smooth yet dynamic instrumentation, her raw words capturing the reality that the person you’re with isn’t the one for you and are in a sense just part of the journey, helping you uncover what you truly need and desire in a partner. Her versatility shines through in the track, particularly with the rap-styled pre-hooks, demonstrating her dynamic range as an artist.

“Unfvckwitable” is an anthem of reclaiming your sense of self after breaking free from a toxic relationship. It reflects that journey of realizing your worth, seeing through manipulation, and choosing yourself. The track is palpably nostalgic with a smooth and easy-to-vibe beat that is therapeutic. Alecia’s performance seamlessly bridges the gap between R&B soulfulness and hip-hop expression. This is that celebration of self-empowerment, resilience, and the courage to walk away from what no longer serves you.

The last tune, “Weight On It” is delightfully sensual with a funky vibe as Alecia lets her sexy side out, her sultry vocals in perfect tandem with the track’s sensuality, backed by the subtle hip-hop sensibilities. The track embraces the bold, intense energy of love, capturing the passion and devotion that come with a deep connection.

Mark your calendars for 3^rd of January 2025 for this special release, and as you do, check out Alecia Hightower’s YouTube channel, Geeked on RnB, subscribe, and enjoy some of the best content as she captures the heart and soul of Kansas City 2-step.

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The true measure of an artist can be defined by just how audacious he is able to articulate the emotions in his music, getting at the heart of his songs in many different ways. For the internationally acclaimed musician Darrell Kelley, his vocal strengths, penmanship, charisma, and unbridled passion all define him. He is someone who wears his heart on his sleeves, leaving absolutely everything on whatever record he’s working on because, for him, music is not just a creative outlet; it is an extension of who he is as a person and an insatiable passion that has grown with him ever since he can remember. In an era where authenticity is fleeting, he comes through as a beacon of originality, crafting those R&B and soul jams exactly like we remember them, and boy! Isn’t he just a natural?

Taking us back to sometime in 1973 where the emotional ballad “Neither One of Us” was released and giving it his own signature warmth and charisma, Darrell is in his best element with this profoundly touching performance that hits us the oldies right in the nostalgia while introducing the new generation to a sound so good, it’s impossible not to love.

His signature soulful and euphonious vocal touch is peppered throughout this record as he sings with a passion that only Jim Weatherly felt when he wrote the song. The song is nostalgic alright with an infused contemporary twist, but the lyrics still carry that emotional depth of heartbreak, pain, and reluctance of ending a relationship.

We can debate about many things, but the poise and elegance with which Darrell performs this tune makes you feel like he is really someone from the 60s trapped in this young physique. And his awareness to maintain the song’s emotional strength speaks volumes about the kind of artist he is—a mindful one!

This cover is a bridge between generations, enveloping the old school ones in this irresistible nostalgia and inviting the new ones to explore something that feels so tasteful, delightful, and emotional as well.

“Neither One of Us” is really a love letter to Kelley’s global fan base, who continue supporting him every step of the way. His heartfelt and soulful delivery, backed by the song’s contemporary-leaning harmonies, perfectly balances the nostalgic weight of soul and R&B with the modern niceties that new listeners are edging for.

His vocals really bring a depth of emotion, balancing strength and fragility as his delivery resonates with that sense of longing and regret that the original carries, making the song deeply personal and powerful.

Kudos man!

Check the track below and enjoy.

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In a world that sometimes gets the better of us, it is the simple pleasures of life that make it worth living—like the sight of the morning sunshine in its radiant glory beaming on our faces, or perhaps a walk in the park, watching children play joyfully outside, or listening to music so good it makes you want to cry. For more than 4 decades, globally acclaimed artist and performer DARIA has been performing in the USA and around the world, her music a beacon of positivity, unity, joy, and love for all the children in the world. While she does not do any of this for fame or critical acclaim but for the goodness of her heart as much as her own selfless dedication to making the world a better place by appealing to children from a young age, her efforts have not been futile as she has won numerous awards and continues doing so. Her mission is so much bigger than her; she is seeking to make a positive impact on as many children across the world as possible, one song, one performance at a time.

“Peace Like A River” is her latest project and one that is uplifting, inspiring, empowering, and universally resonant. A Kenyan producer has produced this jam, which marks a slight departure from her signature folk sound to a livelier, Afrobeats-flavored soundscape.

The stunning, contemporary, and dance-induced beats with an African feel provide a striking backdrop for the lead angelic vocals, with the backing choral-like harmonies adding that haunting allure to the song.

While the production is delightful, the lyrics are more fulfilling with the catchy and repeated hooks of “I’ve got peace like a river…I’ve got joy like a fountain…I’ve got love like the ocean in my soul” encapsulating the track’s purpose of spreading that inner peace, love, and joy to kids all around the world, and indeed everyone navigating a troubled world the best way they can.

“Peace Like A River” is the kind of music that hits so close to home. The solace you get from this performance is beyond words can measure as DARIA’s tenderly nourished and emotive vocals vividly paint a peaceful, joyful, and loving world that we could all do with, now more than ever.

The song has beautiful cover art that was created by a prodigy of creative talent from Belarus and the accompanying anime-inspired visuals that complement the song were done by a Ukrainian. As you can see, DARIA is someone who believes in the power of collaboration and unity, and even without saying it out loud, her actions do: when we come together, great things happen.

Check this anthem below and let it infuse your listening days as well as those of your kids or kids close to you. Thank You.

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