<p>New & Next</p>

<p>ESSENCE.com's "New and Next" column spotlights the brightest new talents we think you should know.</p>

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Exclusive: Ashanti And Nelly Are Expecting — And Engaged!

Exclusive: Ashanti And Nelly Are Expecting — And Engaged!

EXCLUSIVE First Look: Brandy Reprises Her Role As Cinderella in Disney's "Descendants: The Rise of Red"

EXCLUSIVE First Look: Brandy Reprises Her Role As Cinderella in Disney’s “Descendants: The Rise of Red”

WATCH: Zendaya On Growing Up With Her Fans, Digging Deeper In 'DUNE: Part Two'

WATCH: Zendaya On Growing Up With Her Fans, Digging Deeper In ‘DUNE: Part Two’

EXCLUSIVE First Look: Issa Rae Is "Best In Class" Alongside Savannah James, Rich Paul In New Lobos 1707 Campaign

EXCLUSIVE First Look: Issa Rae Is “Best In Class” Alongside Savannah James, Rich Paul In New Lobos 1707 Campaign

Lupita Nyong'o Says 'Deception' Behind Her Split From Selema Masekela: 'I Find Myself In A Season Of Heartbreak'

Lupita Nyong’o Says ‘Deception’ Behind Her Split From Selema Masekela: ‘I Find Myself In A Season Of Heartbreak’

'We Kind Of Grew Up Together': Toya And Reginae Talk Being Best Friends, Family Drama, And Their New Reality Show

‘We Kind Of Grew Up Together’: Toya And Reginae Talk Being Best Friends, Family Drama, And Their New Reality Show

New & Next: KAMAU Is An Artist Creating A Lane Of His Own

New & Next: KAMAU Is An Artist Creating A Lane Of His Own

The future looks bright for music’s latest talent. 

New & Next: LeA Robinson's 'Hey Young Boy' Is The Perfect Spring Track

New & Next: LeA Robinson's 'Hey Young Boy' Is The Perfect Spring Track

Breezy, fun, and infectious, “Hey Young Boy” is a playlist essential.

New & Next: Meet Soul Ensemble, Water Seed

New & Next: Meet Soul Ensemble, Water Seed

“We take a little bit of everything from around the world and make it into something,” says keyboardist J. Sharp.