Nbdy, a fantastic, underground artist, arrived on the music scene in the late 2010’s as a fresh voice in the R&B genre. A singer, songwriter and producer Nbdy’s background, hailing from New Jersey, adds a layer of authenticity to his music, allowing him to draw from a culture that enhances his music. He made his debut with the single “Lights Out” in 2017. Distinguishing himself from other counterparts with his modern, synth-infused approach. He’s made it his niche, carving out a space for himself in modern R&B. Nbdy’s music resonates with a modern listening audience, while keeping the genre’s roots.
Following his first release in 2017, Nbdy showcased consistent artistic development by dropping five more singles, which all set the stage for his first album drop in 2019, “Admissions.” The album showed his audience what the future would hold for him. The blend of modern synth and classic R&B elements leaves it as a classic in his discography. “Admissions” was an album that not only showcased his growth, but redefined what modern R&B can sound like.
Tracks such as “Admissions” provide a fast, upbeat tempo with rap influence elements. The song’s lyrics show the type of artist Nbdy is as well. In contrast to songs such as “If I Should Die,” his track offers an experience with its slow melancholic blues vibe. The duality in his music ability sets a stage for Nbdy’s ability to navigate various emotional landscapes.
Nbdy expands further outside of the norm of even alternative R&B, with songs in “Admissions” such as “Let Me Down.” The songs are artistically rich, and radio-friendly, and his ability to create fast-paced songs while maintaining his edge keeps him apart from his contemporaries. Nbdy’s 2021 release, “Tunnel Vision,” further showcases his evolution as an artist. The album starts with the track “F.O.E” which leans into his rapping and singing skills. “F.O.E” is a fast-paced melody that departs from the synth-heavy beats from his earlier work. The track is a come-up type song. He describes being underestimated by peers, and now those same peers coming to support him. With a few exceptions such as “Surrender” and “Situationship,” the album stays consistent with a fast-paced rhythm.
As his career progressed following “Tunnel Vision,” Nbdy collabed with other artists and dropped more singles. Ultimately leading to his most recent, and arguably his best album, “Take Control.” “Take Control” is arguably his most cohesive and ambitious album thus far. The album serves as a synthesis of his previous works, mixing fast-paced rap infused tracks,with his previously established melancholic lyrics. The album acts as the perfect transition album to move him from a relatively underground to mainstream. “Take Control” is a masterful synthesis of his previous works, highlighting his ambition to elevate his sound, while reaching for a bigger audience.
Overall, Nbdy is a fantastic artist who is representative of the new wave of R&B that seems to have taken over, making his journey one to watch closely. Nbdy is reflective of that shift. Allowing artists who may have not fit into the old mold of R&B to emerge as a new generation of artists, Nbdy is a trailblazer.n the face of a new wave of R&B, Nbdy seems to be one of the best riding that wave.
