May we introduce you to our latest obsession? Recently, we discovered singer Gabriel Jacoby, and we’ve been listening to little else ever since. The 27-year-old Tampa, Florida–based R&B/soul singer made his official debut in 2022, with tracks like “Reptile” and “Forever” first sparking interest. Fast forward to 2025, and we’re treated to his debut EP gutta child — a masterful introduction to what should be one of 2026’s most promising new names in music.
Gabriel is a well-behaved young man. The introduction to his EP quite literally starts with an introduction. “hello” sets the tone for the project, immediately treating us to a blend of blues, funk, and R&B. Title track “gutta child” picks up exactly where “hello” leaves off, keeping the trumpets blowing and the drums beating throughout its funky production. It quickly becomes clear that the singer leads by example. We hear influences from greats like Maxwell and Miguel, his voice at times resembling Prince, and — dare we say — his raw, emotional lyrical delivery even bringing Lil Wayne to mind. Big names to live up too, yet it turns out to be no “biggie” for the young singer.
Tracks like “same sign” and “baby” give Gabriel the space to let his raspy falsetto truly shine. When we previously mentioned Prince, we weren’t exaggerating. Hearing him croon over the laid-back, soulful production feels effortless, as if he’s singing his lungs out with ease. On “baby,” he’s joined by an uncredited female vocalist, shaping the track into a true throwback moment. It transports us back to a time when R&B in this form dominated radio waves.
We hear you thinking: does the project offer variety? Hell yes. Halfway through this excellent body of work, Gabriel invites us straight to the club with ‘bootleg’. Teaming up with Tom G — the EP’s only feature — he proves that an up-tempo, club-ready track is well within his range. Don’t get us wrong: the song still fits perfectly within the project’s overall sound. Remember when Macklemore & Ryan Lewis were dominating the charts with their funky hits? That’s exactly the lane Gabriel briefly steps into here, expanding his range without losing his identity.
An introduction wouldn’t be complete without telling us where he comes from. “dirty south baby” gives us a glimpse into how the young star grew up. His lyrical delivery is slick, and with a flow like this, he shows he can easily hold his own alongside today’s biggest rappers. It’s without a doubt the EP’s most hip-hop–inspired track, giving us a moment to catch our breath halfway through the listening experience. The song even closes with a harmonica, offering a peaceful, unexpected outro.
“the one” is the track that truly convinces us gutta child is destined to be a timeless record. Echoing Maxwell and the late D’Angelo, it could easily fool you into thinking it was released in the late ’90s — and no, we don’t mean that in an outdated way. Quite the opposite. It’s refreshing to hear an artist show this level of respect for the greats, especially in an age where TikTok credibility often seems more important than musical quality.
Keep your eyes — and ears — on Gabriel Jacoby.