Choir, Musicals, and Instruments
There’s been constant social media chatter over the years about the state of R&B. Does it still exist? Is it as good as the 90s? And who’s keeping R&B alive? These are all questions being asked, and new R&B artist Jalen Chords is happy to be on the scene providing music in the genre. Chords is from Hampton, Virginia, and recently signed to Cash Money Records and Republic Records.
His latest single, My Boo, has over one million views on YouTube.
Chords took some time to speak with Carvd N Stone while he was at Radio One in Atlanta. He spoke with us about his upbringing and how that’s reflected in the music he makes today.
From around age five years old, Chords was singing in the choir, doing solos and singing with other children, where he would sometimes wear a lime green outfit. His mother encouraged his singing bug because she believed he always had the skill.
It was in high school when Chords said he knew he couldn’t escape music, and fell in love with the idea of him being a music artist. He then went on to play brass instruments, which led to the piano, and eventually to him acting in musical theater. Chords said one of his first musicals was about Frankenstein.
Chords credits his choir and musical theater background for laying the foundation for his music career, including his stage presence.
“I just want to be great,” Chords said.
New Single Releasing October 23
Chords is 25 years old and takes pride in coming from Virginia. Pharrell Williams, Missy Elliott, and Chris Brown are also from Virginia, and Chords said he hopes to be as great as them.
Through his music, Chords likes to highlight and empower Black love, while repping for his city.
“Jalen Chords is here. It’s a breath of fresh air in the industry [and] we bigging up Virginia again,” Chords said.
Chords is releasing his new single WYO on October 23, 2026. He said to get ready to sweat in the club with this one.
Nyesha Stone founded Carvd N Stone in 2017 to cover positive news while attending the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Stone has a B.A. in Journalism. She has raised over $30,000 to award grants and scholarships. She has also been featured in ESSENCE and worked with the American Black Film Festival.
- Nyesha Stone
