Imad Royal

Electronic R&B artist Imad Royal, who also writes songs and produces, started releasing music in 2014. Born Imad-Roy El-Amine in Quebec City, he grew up in Washington, D.C., and launched his career there. The genre-bending EP Cycles appeared in 2015, drawing attention that soon led to a contract with Nice Life, an Atlantic affiliate responsible for putting out the 2016 single “Bad 4 U.” Though Royal had been viewed primarily as a producer up to that point, the track stood out as a hook-driven, vocal-focused release that blended hip-hop, bossa nova, and mainstream pop melodies. His follow-up EP, Everything Happens, came out in February 2017. April 2018 then brought the single “Love Is Dead,” which includes a feature from FRND.