Here are some of the six best underground R&B songs from emerging artists
Last updated: 18 June 2026
From breakthrough artists to emerging musicians, UK R&B is having more than its moment — it metamorphosed years ago, but singers are now getting their just desserts. Vocalists who have been working behind the scenes for years are being recognised for more than just their writing credits, but also for their own natural talent. Let’s talk about the six best tracks you can listen to right now.
DAMEDAME – “FIRE BURNIN’ THRU THE RAIN”
Hailing from Birmingham, UK, R&B duo DAMEDAME release “Fire Burnin’ Thru The Rain“. The rap-and-singing tag team now serves up a jaw-dropping plate of music, simmering with elements drawn from a plethora of genres. DAMEDAME consists of Barbara and Shiloh, who have spent time behind the scenes writing and producing for names including Jorja Smith and Tems. Stitching together a basin of memorable harmonics, the two stand on business to showcase the breadth of their talent, leaving us to wonder what is to come.
Ego Ella May – “Potluck Baby”
Ego Ella May is an incredible vocalist powered by the artistry of a dimension you can’t quite place. Her latest track, “Potluck Baby,” channels a familiar topical thread: home. Born in the UK, Ella explains that her Nigerian heritage often leaves her feeling caught between two places, questioning identity and a sense of suspension it can bring. Her delivery is flawless, and few perform to such a natural standard as hers.
Lucy Park – “DIZZY”
Hot off the heels of her EP Good Graces and being featured as The North Face’s “Ones To Watch”, Lucy Park is yet another artist to get excited about. Now, she releases a steadfast canvas of rhythm and soul with her new track “DIZZY“. Filled with hazy production designed to pacify listeners, she delivers a heart-on-sleeve performance. Park says the single is about feeling “lost in a distorted reality of a city“, ” inspired by confusion in her own life.
Isle Of CC – “Hate2Say”
Now to a more signature-based artist who isn’t afraid to cut her teeth again and again. Milton Keynes-based Isle of CC has been doing the rounds for some time and has recently dropped three singles; her latest effort being “Hate2Say“, a subtle funk track laced with powerful vocals over an Oska Zaky beat, which the artist says is for “the outcasts and misfits”. The single, which has been in the works since the 2020 lockdown, sees CC shed her feathers of unwarranted opinions in a free-flowing strata of easy listening. It’s hard to do it justice, so sit down and take in CC’s immaculate voice.
Nia Smith – “High”
Nia Smith has passed newcomer status and now shapes a path running parallel with the scene’s listening preferences, while offering something new. “High” is a track that takes on emotional escapism and the polarised feelings it can bring. It leans on mood over narrative, but that’s only the half of it, as she channels recognisable sentiments.
Skye Newman – “Man of the House”
This track comes together several times and is carried by the singer’s powerful vocals. Skye Newman‘s drops an exceptional performance on “Man of the House“, a track taken from her double-sided album, SE9. Reflecting on family pressures and the dynamics of relationships, the broader picture becomes more complex as it channels a variety of everyday language and the barriers frustration can create. No lyric captures it better than: “You never let go of me, watch me like your sh**ty TV”.
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