Dave Hollister Returns With ‘Thought You Knew’

Dave Hollister is back. The R&B veteran has released “Thought You Knew,” his first single in a decade, via Death Row Records/gamma.

Produced by Soopafly and Snoop Dogg, “Thought You Knew” is a sweet reminder to a partner that the love hasn’t gone anywhere and remains intact.

“I thought you knew / How I love you / Now you know / Don’t you forget / And we aren’t done yet, are we?” Hollister sings. 

“Thought You Knew” is Hollister’s first solo release since his 2016 album, The MANuscript. The 10-track album, released via Shanachie Entertainment, includes the single “Definition of a Woman.”

Regarding the latter track, Hollister said, “Love feels so good. Those of us men who have been fortunate enough to experience true love wrapped in romance can attest to the fact that there’s nothing else like it. It’s a very specific feeling to have the love of a woman.”

Speaking on his album, he told This Is RnB, “With The MANuscript, ladies, this is the record to give your man when he ain’t acting right or when you want him to get right or if he wants to get right. It’s an album for any woman to give her man or a brother or a cousin and say, ‘Listen here: I need this from you.’ I also made this record for men to give to a woman. Like, “I think I’m this dude. If this ain’t what you want, I gotta bounce.’ It was for a dual purpose.”

Hollister has kept a relatively low profile since The MANuscript. In 2021, he joined forces with Donell Jones, appearing on his “Karma (Remix)” alongside Carl Thomas, RL and Jacquees. The same year, he formed the R&B supergroup The Chi with fellow Chicago natives Jones and Thomas.

In 2024, Syleena Johnson joined The Chi in place of Jones. The trio performed together for the first time at the Black Music Honors, held the same year. However, they have yet to release music as The Chi.

Hollister is the latest R&B veteran to make a return following an extended hiatus. In February, Jill Scott released her first album in 11 years, To Whom This May Concern. On the same day (Feb. 13), Jamie Foxx dropped “Somebody,” his first single since 2015. Last month, Glenn Lewis released “Past Tense,” ending his first single in 13 years. Additionally, Blackstreet, of which Hollister was formerly a member, confirmed plans to release new music in 2026; it would be their first release since 2003’s Level II. 

Stream Dave Hollister’s “Thought You Knew” below.