(September 16, 2026) It has been more than four decades since a young Cheryl Ann Norton broke into our consciousnesses as R&B hitmaker Cherrelle. Teamed with super-producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Cherrelle deftly delivered a string of solo hits like “I Didn’t Mean To Turn You On” and “Everything I Miss At Home” along with smash duets with Alexander O’Neal (“Saturday Love” and “Never Knew Love Like This”).
Cherrelle’s hitmaking slowed down in the 1990s, but her vocal talent continued on, and she remains R&B royalty for a generation of fans. Those fans will be cheering this week, as Cherrelle has issued her first new single in over a decade.
Written by Cherrelle with DeYon Dobson, Tim Owens, “This Time” is the testimony of a woman who has experienced the ups and downs of fame and has come out the other end possessing a better understanding of and relationship with herself.
With every step I take
I walk with out fear
My pathway is clear
I’ve learned from my mistakes
And I trust my faith to guide me through
The song is inspirational and Gospel-like in its big moments. And Cherrelle simply sounds great. This is a welcome, worthy return of a favorite. Check it out below.
By Chris Rizik
