PJ

Down-to-earth R&B artist Paris Jones made her name as a songwriter just prior to stepping out as a solo artist. She made major progress in 2015, a year in which she landed credits on tracks by Chris Brown and Tyga (“B****es N Marijuana”), Boosie Badazz (“All I Know”), Charlie Puth (“Left Right Left”), and Ty Dolla $ign (“Guard Down,” “Finale”). She also made a low-key major-label debut with an EP, Walking Around Pools, her debut for the Atlantic label. The following year, she co-wrote material for Kevin Gates (“Excuse Me”) and Fantasia (“No Time for It”), among others, and released the full-length Rare. An affirmation that she had more in common with the likes of Jazmine Sullivan and Snoh Aalegra than with other contemporary R&B factions, the album dealt primarily with matters of everyday life and was refreshingly light on guest appearances. ~ Andy Kellman