Down-to-earth R&B artist Paris Jones made her name as a songwriter just prior to stepping out as a solo artist. She progressed in 2015, a year in which she landed credits on tracks by Chris Brown and Tyga ("B****es N Marijuana"), Boosie Badazz, Charlie Puth, and Ty Dolla $ign. She also made her major-label debut with an EP, Walking Around Pools, her debut for Atlantic. The following year, she co-wrote material for Kevin Gates and Fantasia, among others, and released 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. ~ Andy Kellman