While Latin stars like Bad Bunny and Karol G are riding a wave of success in the music industry, the R&B and rap/hip-hop genres are starting to revive with new players getting in the game. This resurgence can be attributed in part to high-profile collaborations between artists like Lizzo and Cardi B on “Rumors,” which peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart, and Billboard reported the track debuted in the Hot 100 Top 5 and opened at No. 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Whether it is streamed online or played on the radio, R&B and rap/hip-hop music have had a noticeable increase in popularity, especially from female artists. According to a 2021 RIAA report, rap/hip-hop and R&B are among the most popular music genres for people aged 13 to 55. Some iconic women that have released new music include Mary J. Blige with her Good Morning, Gorgeous album and Beyonce’s July release of Renaissance. Social media has only amplified the momentum, with TikTok helping singles leap from viral trend to real-world ticket demand. Luminate data shows R&B/Hip-Hop led U.S. on-demand audio streaming share in recent years, supporting the article’s point that R&B/hip-hop — and female artists in the genre — are driving high streaming volumes that convert into ticket demand.
Read on to explore four trending women in the R&B and hip-hop world, and see who is touring now.
Ari Lennox
Born Courtney Shanade Salter, Ari Lennox started releasing her music independently in 2012, before signing with J. Cole’s label, Dreamville Records. She featured on Cole’s single “Change” and had a successful debut with the release of her Pho EP in 2016. Lennox got more mainstream attention when her first studio album, Shea Butter Baby, dropped in 2019. With vocal abilities comparable to Erykah Badu, Lennox’s music “successfully blends individual slices of classic Motown, modern R&B, and new-age soul” (The Gateway Online, 2016).
Ari Lennox draws inspiration for her music from soul and R&B icons like Minnie Riperton, Mary J. Blige, and Whitney Houston. Borrowing techniques from these performers, she crafts music that can be described as vulnerable and honest. Take the chance to see Ari Lennox live on her next run of dates. Browse current Ari Lennox tickets and tour dates on TicketSmarter to catch songs like “Pressure” and “Queen Space.”
Latto
As the season one winner of The Rap Game, this 23-year-old artist is rising through the ranks within the music industry. Latto, formerly known as Mulatto, has been making music since she was a kid. Years of dedication to her craft paid off with the release of her 2019 single “B*tch from da Souf,” which led to Latto signing with RCA Records. This song along with “Muwop” feat. Gucci Mane was certified platinum and would appear on Latto’s debut album, Queen of da Souf (2020).
Latto started gaining mainstream success with the release of “Big Energy,” the top single from her second album 777. “Big Energy” won Song of the Year at the 2022 BET Hip-Hop Awards and was nominated for Best Melodic Rap Performance at the 2023 Grammy Awards. Make sure that you catch this dynamic rapper live as Latto supports Lizzo on The Special Tour. You can also follow related tours like Gucci Mane tickets and dates or Lizzo tickets and tour info on TicketSmarter to plan a full night of hip-hop and pop energy.
Tems
This singer is bringing a unique sound to both Nigerian and international music scenes. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, as Temilade Openiyi, Tems has harbored an interest in music since she was a kid. She learned to play the piano and often practiced singing and performing with her brother. Openiyi cites artists like Adele, Lauryn Hill, and Paramore as her musical influences. Shortly after college, Tems quit her day job to focus solely on her music career. She would go on to release two EPs: For Broken Ears (2020) and If Orange Was a Place (2021).
In between releasing her EPs, Tems would provide vocals and work with artists like Drake and Future. She started gaining more attention after featuring on Wizkid’s single “Essence.” That track was nominated in the Recording Academy’s inaugural Best Global Music Performance category, evidence of how high-profile collaborations can accelerate international touring opportunities. “Essence” earned the duo the Best Collaboration Award at the 2022 BET Awards and two Grammy nominations. While Wizkid beat Tems for Favorite Afrobeats Artist at the 2022 AMA Awards, she claimed the title of Best New Artist at the 2022 Soul Train Awards. Most recently, Tems covered Bob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry” for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack. If you love her cross-genre collaborations, track tours from her collaborators too, including Future tickets and dates and Wizkid tickets and dates.
Doja Cat
Introducing a burst of energy and color to the rap game, not seen since Nicki Minaj’s Barbie days, Doja Cat has become one of the genre’s biggest stars. Her most recent album, Planet Her, secured a six-month slot within the Top 10 Billboard Hot 200 charts. Planet Her was the fifth most streamed album on Spotify in 2021 and featured eccentric and empowering lyrics.
Doja Cat made quite the impression in pop culture in 2018 when she released the single “Mooo!” and became an internet meme. Her social media presence on platforms like TikTok did wonders for promoting her music, making singles like “Say So” and “Streets” trend. In 2021, her albums Hot Pink and Planet Her both charted on the Billboard Top R&B Albums list. Doja Cat won a Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Kiss Me More” feat. SZA and her single “Vegas” was nominated for Best Rap Performance in the 2023 Grammys. See her stage show when new dates drop and browse Doja Cat tickets and 2025 tour dates on TicketSmarter.
Why women are driving the R&B and hip-hop resurgence
- Fresh storytelling: more women in rap and R&B are exploring self-definition, ambition, and community, which resonates across generations.
- Social lift: TikTok and social platforms turn catchy hooks and choreography into streaming spikes, which often translate into sold-out shows; Pollstar industry reporting finds a large share of buyers say they purchased tickets after discovering acts on TikTok or Instagram, supporting the claim that viral social clips commonly translate into elevated streaming and ticket demand.
- Global fusion: collaborations with Afrobeats and pop acts, plus remix strategy, widen audiences and fuel chart runs. Global recorded-music revenues continue to grow and are increasingly driven by subscription streaming; IFPI reports streaming accounted for the majority of recorded-music revenues in 2024 and paid-streaming subs surpassed 700 million globally, underscoring how streaming and cross-market collaborations expand tourable audiences.
Smarter ways to find and buy tickets
TicketSmarter helps you compare dates, venues, and price ranges quickly so you can lock seats you will love. A few quick tips:
- Shop early for high-demand arena shows, then check again closer to showtime for price drops.
- Review seat and venue details, including accessibility information, before checkout.
- Track artists you love. A viral single today can become a fast-moving tour announcement tomorrow.
Buy R&B and Rap Tickets Today
Whether you would rather experience concerts from greats like Anita Baker and Nicki Minaj or check out the stylings of newer artists like Latto and Ari Lennox, TicketSmarter has all types of R&B and hip-hop/rap tickets.
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FAQs
Which emerging female R&B and hip-hop artists are leading the resurgence and touring now?
TicketSmarter sees strong demand for artists like Ari Lennox, Tems, Latto, and Doja Cat. You can browse live inventory for Ari Lennox tickets and Doja Cat 2025 tour dates to plan your next show.
How do collaborations impact popularity and touring demand for women in R&B and hip-hop?
High-profile features boost streams and visibility, which often leads to bigger venues and more dates. Tems’ work on “Essence” with Wizkid and appearances with Future helped expand her global audience; the Recording Academy nomination for “Essence” is a clear example of collaborations driving international attention. Explore related tours like Future and Wizkid on TicketSmarter.
What defines the sound of current R&B singers like Ari Lennox and Tems?
Ari Lennox leans into neo-soul textures with live-feel arrangements and classic R&B influences. Tems blends soulful vocals with Afrobeats and pop elements for a global sound. Both approaches reflect the broader R&B renaissance that is pulling new listeners to shows. Find upcoming dates on TicketSmarter for Ari Lennox.
How has TikTok boosted modern female hip-hop artists?
Viral clips drive surges in streams and discovery, which can accelerate radio play and ticket demand. Pollstar reports roughly 39 percent of buyers say they purchased tickets after discovering an act on TikTok or Instagram, reinforcing how social virality converts into ticket sales. Check Doja Cat tickets for the latest dates.
What are common pain points when buying tickets and how does TicketSmarter help?
Fans want clear seat details, pricing, and accessible checkout. TicketSmarter provides transparent listings, varied price points, and venue details so you can compare options and purchase with confidence.
Which female artists have collaborations that increased chart success and touring demand?
Latto’s “Muwop” with Gucci Mane, Tems with Wizkid on “Essence,” and Doja Cat with SZA on “Kiss Me More” all drove major attention and helped fuel tour interest. You can track these artists and related tours on TicketSmarter.
How do I find the best value on TicketSmarter?
Start with flexible dates, compare multiple venues, and revisit listings as shows approach. Many fans also sort by price and section to match their budget, then review seat details before checkout.
Updated date: December 12, 2025
