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The energy slowed down but the heat didn’t fade, this week’s Inspired by Sound episode took us deep into the textures of R&B that blend smooth lyricism with bold experimentation. Gerardo and Vic returned behind the mics, diving into a Vic's world now where rhythm, and passion hits just right between late-night confession and studio glow-up.
What stood out this episode was how both mixes balanced raw emotion with control, showcasing the genre’s continued push toward innovation while staying rooted in intimacy and groove.
“Sin” – Anfa Rose
A moody opener with edge and precision. “Sin” carries that nocturnal energy, dark bass, velvet vocals, and a confession tucked under every hook. Gerardo pointed out how Anfa’s delivery feels cinematic but not forced, like he’s narrating a blurred night in slow motion.
“How’s My Driving” – Phabo
Phabo’s sound always rides the line between soulful and satirical, and this one drives right into that sweet spot. The production is tight, minimal, letting his cadence do the heavy lifting. Vic described it best: “It’s the kind of song that sounds like it was made for a dimly lit apartment with good speakers and bad intentions.”
“Honey B” – Alia Kadir
This one drips with nostalgia, the kind of R&B that calls back to early 2000s melodies but dresses them in new polish. Gerardo noted how Kadir’s tone feels effortless, every syllable melting into the beat. It’s a song that sounds like it knows exactly what it’s doing, sweet, confident, and undeniably replayable.
“Alone” – Nieman J ft. Eric Bellinger, Blxst
The chemistry on this track is pure West Coast R&B at its finest, smooth, glossy, and grounded in emotional maturity. The trio trades melodies like old friends, and Vic mentioned how it feels “like the afterparty that turns into a therapy session.”
“WAP” – William Singe
Singe flips expectations here, a reimagined cover that trades shock value for vulnerability. Gerardo called it “one of those rare reinterpretations that feels more intimate than the original.” It’s stripped down, raw, and unexpectedly refreshing.
“Beneficios” – Joe Hertz ft. Kablito
The closer transitions effortlessly into bilingual bliss. Kablito’s delivery cuts through with honeyed precision, and Hertz’s production glows with warmth and texture. It’s a reminder that R&B isn’t confined by language, it’s defined by feeling.
“Whether it’s English or Spanish, R&B is still the language of emotion, the genre of confession.”
This episode wasn’t about chart-chasing or nostalgia, it was about texture, tone, and honesty. From Phabo’s self-aware lyricism to Kablito’s smooth bilingual flow, every pick reflected where R&B is headed: global, emotional, and unapologetically personal.
Gerardo and Vic closed it out the same way they started, grounded in conversation, letting the music do most of the talking.