The past few years have seen a new generation of R&B stars entering the fray; for one Bruno Mars with his cheeky hybrid of Motown, Rock and Reggae with the moves (and a quiff to match) that Elvis himself would have very approved of. We also must not forget the immensely talented Frank Ocean who has reminded the world that R&B isn’t just music to make “sweet love” to (R.I.P. Barry White) but is a critically acclaimed as well as a commercial powerhouse.
I know what you’re going to say, or maybe it’s just me, but I think I know what Wiley meant when rapping “too many man too many man, we need some more girls in here!” Where is the new crop of ladies?! The R&B matriarch’s of the future, the girls that are going to keep the legacy going! Well, as it happens, I think I may have found one. New York City’s Bridget Kelly, or ‘BK’ as her nearest and dearest refer to her as, has been a busy bee since graduating from the LaGuardia High School of performing Arts in the city where she very much imbibed the creativity surrounding her.
A chance meeting with Roc Nation, the label fronted by the very famous husband of another ‘BK’, changed the singer’s life. She has since appeared with Jay-Z at high profile festivals such as Coachella performing Alicia Key’s part in 'Empire State of Mind' and supported Coldplay on the Viva La Vida tour. Over here in the UK she’s appeared on the institution that is Later…With Jools Holland as well as Jonathan Ross’s chat show.
As soon as I played 'Special Delivery' it immediately reminded me of a classic Brandy Norwood record I would have listened to in my teens given a fresh new look. Not implying that Kelly is replicating a sound, but to be compared to a seasoned singer like Brandy is something that I think would be most welcomed!
Her voice has all the power that an R&B diva should possess but also with just the right amount of melancholic vulnerability that will make the perfect rainy day ballad. The Special Delivery in question is a letter ending her current relationship. She sings about wanting to do it in “the old fashioned way” as let’s be honest, you can’t really get the same sentiments across in an iMessage, can you?
The production is razor sharp and although there’s heartbreak in her voice there are also glittering little soupçons of empowerment that emerge at the end of the track. So don’t worry people, she’s going to be fine! 'Special Delivery' is a solid and stellar effort that is perfect for road trips and very easy on the ear. Kelly has the voice, production team and vibe that give her the qualities needed to become a key player in the genre and a very much loved member of the Roc Nation family.
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I know what you’re going to say, or maybe it’s just me, but I think I know what Wiley meant when rapping “too many man too many man, we need some more girls in here!” Where is the new crop of ladies?! The R&B matriarch’s of the future, the girls that are going to keep the legacy going! Well, as it happens, I think I may have found one. New York City’s Bridget Kelly, or ‘BK’ as her nearest and dearest refer to her as, has been a busy bee since graduating from the LaGuardia High School of performing Arts in the city where she very much imbibed the creativity surrounding her. 
