Yebba: The Soulful Voice of Modern R&B

Yebba is an American singer and songwriter known for her powerful, emotive vocals rooted in soul and R&B. Hailing from West Memphis, Arkansas, her major achievement came with the 2021 release of her debut studio album, Dawn, which was met with critical acclaim.

Early Career

Born Abbey Smith in 1995, Yebba's musical journey began in the church, where she honed her gospel-influenced vocal style. She gained initial attention through viral YouTube performances, most notably a 2016 cover of My Mind by the band H.E.R., which showcased her stunning technical ability and raw emotional delivery.

Breakthrough

Yebba's professional breakthrough arrived through high-profile collaborations, most significantly her feature on producer Mark Ronson's 2019 single Don't Leave Me Lonely. This led to her signing with RCA Records and setting the stage for her own headlining work. Her official debut single, Evergreen, was released in 2019, further establishing her as a formidable new voice in soul music.

Key Tracks

Evergreen - This debut single introduced her songwriting and ethereal vocal tone to a wider audience.

Don't Leave Me Lonely - Her collaboration with Mark Ronson provided a major platform and demonstrated her studio prowess.

Distance - A standalone 2020 single that showcased her ability to blend classic soul feeling with contemporary production.

All I Ever Wanted - The poignant closing track from her album Dawn, highlighting her lyrical depth.

Boomerang - A key album track that exemplifies her dynamic range and jazz-inflected phrasing.

Yebba's debut album, Dawn, released in September 2021, was a deeply personal project reflecting on grief and healing. The record featured collaborations with artists like A$AP Rocky and Questlove and was executive produced by Mark Ronson. Prior to its release, she had already earned a Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance for her contribution to PJ Morton's How Deep Is Your Love in 2020.

Her soulful approach and vocal mastery connect her to artists like H.E.R., who shares a similar blend of R&B authenticity and instrumental skill. The emotive depth of Emily King finds a parallel in Yebba's work. Listeners may also appreciate the modern gospel and soul influences present in PJ Morton, a frequent collaborator. The raw vocal power and lyrical introspection of Ari Lennox also resonate with Yebba's style.

Yebba's music, spanning soul, R&B, and gospel influences, is featured on a variety of online radio streams and independent music stations that champion contemporary vocalists. Her songs are in rotation on formats dedicated to modern soul and alternative R&B, reaching listeners who seek profound vocal-led performances.

You can discover the music of Yebba and listen to her tracks on the radio stations featured and available on onairium.com.