Sentury: The Blueprint For Timeless R&B

SENTURY

Silk, soul, and a slow-burning confidence define Sentury—a group that doesn’t chase the moment, but sets it. Houston’s own CJ, Leo, AJ, and Rico have emerged as torchbearers of grown-man R&B, blending pristine harmonies, vintage cool, and modern finesse into a sound that feels both timeless and urgently now. With their breakout single “Only Human” climbing to #1 on the Mediabase Urban AC Chart and earning praise from the original architects of the Jeffrey Osborne classic, Sentury’s rise signals more than a chart victory—it marks the return of the R&B group as a force. Their music lives in dimly lit lounges and dusk-lit drives, where romance still breathes and vulnerability carries strength. You don’t just hear Sentury—you feel them, in your chest, in the moment, and in the future of R&B itself.

SFND MAG: What’s good gentlemen. So glad to interview you all. How are thing going?

SENTURY: Man, we appreciate you having us. Life is good…R&B is good….and we are having a whole lot of fun right now. It’s one of those seasons where everything feels aligned, so we’re just enjoying the ride.

SFND MAG:  Ya’ll have been making some major moves here lately. Recently “Only Human” just hit #1 on the Mediabase Urban AC Chart. How did it feel not only to reimagine a Jeffrey Osborne classic but to have the original creators publicly endorse your version?

SENTURY: Listen… when you remake a classic like that, you hope people feel it. But to have Barry Eastman hit us with the personal stamp of approvawas like your heroes walking up saying, “Yeah, y’all did that. We were hyped. Honored. A little emotional.

SFND MAG: Sentury’s sound has been described as “silk in motion—sexy without showboating, vulnerable without weakness.” How intentional is this balance, and how do you preserve that authenticity in a modern R&B landscape often driven by trends?

SENTURY: Very intentional. Look, we’re smooth — but we’re not trying to put you to sleep. We’re sexy — but we don’t need to take our shirts off for it. We want every record to feel like R&B with good posture: confident, clean, and not trying too hard. It’s harmony with a heartbeat. That’s the lane.

SFND MAG: Take us back to the beginning. How did CJ, Leo, AJ, and Rico come together, and what was the spark that made you realize this wasn’t just a collaboration, but a brotherhood worth building?

SENTURY: We met singing in church, we vibed, and it felt like discovering brothers we didn’t know we’d been missing. Everybody loved R&B, everybody talked the same musical language, and next thing you know we’re in the studio acting like we’ve known each other for years.

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SFND MAG: Many fans say listening to Sentury feels like stepping into the golden age of R&B, yet your music never sounds dated. What’s the secret to blending vintage cool with a modern sheen?

SENTURY: We mix the new with the nostalgia. Vocals stay classic, production stays current, and the magic is somewhere in the middle. We basically ask: “Would this make your mama nod her head AND your niece post it on TikTok?” If the answer’s yes, we keep it.

SFND MAG: Your stage presence is magnetic—coast to coast, crowds are raving about the Sentury experience.What goes into crafting a live performance that feels bigger than the music itself?

SENTURY: Being on stage is our playground. We get to stretch out …. the vocals, the choreography, the energy, the crowd interaction… all of it.

SFND MAG: “Only Human” isn’t just a cover; it feels like a rebirth of a classic. How did you approach honoring the original while still making it distinctly Sentury?

SENTURY: We kept the soul of the original, that was non-negotiable. Then we added a little modern sound and progression and a little Sentury secret sauce on it and that’s how we went #1.

SFND MAG: R&B groups have been rare in recent years, yet you’ve stormed into mainstream dominance. Why do you think the timing was right for Sentury’s rise?

SENTURY: Because people missed this. They missed harmony. They missed multiple voices blending together. They missed seeing a group onstage.

SFND MAG: Image is clearly part of your artistry—smooth suits, dimly lit stages, sultry vocals. How important is style and presentation in telling the Sentury story?

SENTURY: We want the visuals to feel like the music sounds. Smooth suits, warm lighting, vibes for days — it all plays into the story. A great R&B song hits your ears, but performances hit your eyes, your heart, everything.

SFND MAG: You’ve now topped charts and built a national following. What do you consider Sentury’s biggest cultural responsibility as you bring grown-man R&B back into the spotlight?

SENTURY: To keep the bar high and the music honest. We want people to fall in love with R&B again — the grown, soulful kind. If we stay consistent and keep delivering classic material, we’re doing our job.

SFND MAG: Every great R&B group has those “behind-the-scenes” moments of tension and triumph. What’s one story from the studio or the road that really defines who Senturyis as a unit?

SENTURY: Honestly, the fact that we don’t have a ton of drama probably says everything. We’re laid back, we laugh a lot, and we genuinely enjoy each other. If we ever argued, it’d probably be about who ate the last chicken wing in the studio.

SFND MAG: When people say they don’t just listen to Sentury, they feel you in their chest—what emotions or messages are you hoping always come across in your music?

SENTURY: Love, in all its forms. The “I miss you” love, the “why you actingup?” love, the “come over right now” love. R&B is storytelling, and we want people to hear something that matches whatever chapter they’re in.

SFND MAG: Barry Eastman called your version of “Only Human” slamming. When you heard that, did it change the way you view your place in R&B history?

SENTURY: When the person who created the record says your version is slamming… listen, you sit up a little straighter. It was beyond humbling, and it definitely made us feel like we’re doing something right

SFND MAG: Houston has produced legends across genres. How has being from Houston shaped your artistry and the sound of Sentury?

SENTURY: Being from Houston has been a blessing for us. This city has produced legends in every lane — Beyoncé, gospel icons, rap giants — you name it. Houston breeds greatness. So to come from that same soil and carry the R&B torch feels like an honor. We’re proud to add our chapter to the city’s legacy.

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SFND MAG: With nine Billboard chart placements already under your belt, what does the next Sentury look like? Where do you want to take the music from here?

SENTURY: Being from Houston has been a blessing for us. This city has produced legends in every lane — Beyoncé, gospel icons, rap giants — you name it. Houston breeds greatness. So to come from that same soil and carry the R&B torch feels like an honor. We’re proud to add our chapter to the city’s legacy.

SFND MAG: Finally, for fans who’ve just discovered you through “Only Human,” what’s one thing you want them to know about CJ, Leo, AJ, and Rico beyond the music?

SENTURY: We’re focused on staying consistent and continuing to make the classic R&B our fans love. We truly enjoy creating this music, and we appreciate everyone who’s riding with us. Thank you for having us — it means a lot.

SFND MAG: Thank you brothers again! We sincerely wish much continued success your you in all your endeavors. Keep doin your thing!

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