Floetry Returns: 'Say Yes' Tour Marks First National Run in a Decade
ENTERTAINMENT
The Grammy-nominated duo returns to the stage for the first time since 2016, joined by Raheem DeVaughn and Teedra Moses for a 16-city celebration of neo-soul.
When Floetry released "Floetic" in 2002, they didn't just make an R&B album, they redefined what the genre could sound like. At a time when contemporary soul leaned toward polish and radio-friendly production, Marsha Ambrosius and Natalie "The Floacist" Stewart brought spoken word to the center of their music, blending poetry, raw emotion, and melodic sensibility into something entirely their own. The album went platinum, earned multiple Grammy nominations, and produced enduring tracks like "Say Yes" and "Getting Late" that still soundtrack late-night playlists and intimate moments more than two decades later.
Now, after nearly ten years away from the touring stage, Floetry is coming back. The duo has announced the "Say Yes" Tour, their first national run together since 2016. Produced by Black Promoters Collective, the 16-city tour kicks off April 9, 2026, in Newark, New Jersey, and concludes May 17 in Oakland, California.
A Reunion That Matters
Floetry's return isn't just about nostalgia. Their influence on contemporary R&B remains unmistakable. At a time when poetry was typically relegated to interludes or background embellishments, Floetry made it the lead voice. They normalized emotional depth, linguistic precision, and storytelling as essential elements of the genre, opening doors for artists who value truth and vulnerability as much as melody.
Their catalog continues to resonate across generations, soundtracking love, healing, and self-reflection. The 2026 tour arrives as both a celebration and a revival, an opportunity for audiences to experience Floetry's music the way it was always meant to be heard: live, intimate, and emotionally immersive.
Joining them on this run are two of the most respected voices in modern soul: Raheem DeVaughn and Teedra Moses. DeVaughn, a three-time Grammy nominee, brings his signature blend of romanticism, social consciousness, and commanding live performance. Moses adds her own brand of soulful storytelling, making this a rare, R&B-forward live experience that prioritizes depth over spectacle.
The Legacy Behind the Music
Floetry's story began in London, where Ambrosius and Stewart, both Brit School alumni who met years earlier through their shared love of basketball, started performing on underground poetry stages. In 1999, Ambrosius called Stewart and asked her to contribute poetry to the songs she was writing and producing. Stewart agreed, and Floetry was born.
Their debut album, "Floetic," released in October 2002, sold over 788,000 copies in the United States and more than 1 million worldwide. It earned Grammy nominations for Best Contemporary R&B Album and Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. Their follow-up, "Flo'Ology," released in 2005, included the Grammy-nominated "SupaStar" featuring Common and "Lay Down."
Beyond their own records, Floetry penned material for Earth, Wind & Fire, Patti LaBelle, Jill Scott, Macy Gray, and Bilal. They earned seven Grammy nominations, won three Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards, and helped shape the sound of early 2000s neo-soul. Their 2003 live album, "Floacism," recorded at the House of Blues in New Orleans, captured the raw energy that made their performances unforgettable.
Why This Tour Matters Now
The history between Ambrosius and Stewart has been complicated. After the success of their first two albums, creative and personal tensions led to a split in 2006. Ambrosius went on to build a solo career with Grammy nominations and high-profile songwriting credits, while Stewart continued performing under The Floacist moniker, leaning deeper into spoken word and independent releases.
A brief reunion tour in 2015 and 2016 hinted at reconciliation, but sustained collaboration never followed, until now. This 2026 run feels more deliberate. The tour hits major R&B markets including Philadelphia, Chicago, Detroit, Washington, Atlanta, and Houston, cities that have supported neo-soul long after its commercial peak.
How to Get Tickets
General public tickets go on sale Friday, February 13, at 10 AM local time.
For fans who grew up with "Floetic" or discovered it years later, this tour is a rare chance to see Floetry perform together again, celebrating 25 years since their formation and the enduring power of music that refuses to compromise emotional truth for commercial polish.