• Who killed RnB?
• Crime Scene Investigation.
• Africa responds with heritage and a Kenyan sound.
• Who’s on our playlist?

Who killed RnB?

In Africa, you simply can’t kill a good vibe. If the rest of the world is asking “who killed RnB?”, Africa, specifically artists from East Africa, are celebrating a re-emergence of the genre in the very best way. At its height in the 90’s and 2000’s, RnB propelled hip hop globally. The alignment of sweet melodic vocal stylings and the tough urban spoken narrative of rap produced an unstoppable juggernaut of a genre that took over the world. It conquered borders, took over radio and infiltrated film, and shifted culture with its dominance of “black” voices around the world. Yet, as streaming gathered steam, the great sonic empire seemed to dissipate quietly and lose its way.

Crime Scene Investigation.

There are numerous theories as to the demise of RnB. Rappers, with vocoders, slipped in their own melodic treatments. RnB itself evolved and innovated with the advent of artists no longer being produced through the industry, but on their own creative terms at home. And, of course, the ear for RnB changed. Much of contemporary music is an amalgam of many genres with songs incorporating three or four different styles.

For example: pop sounds like rock, with rap interludes and transition to syncopated electronic beats with folk overtones, all comfortable in 3 minutes max. Hip hop is not unscathed either. Note the intrusion of mumble rap and its incomprehensible articulations along with nursery rhyming syncopation interspersed with growling scat.

Africa responds with heritage and a Kenyan sound.

As always, Africa – once ignored except for curious glances – simply shrugged off this global context, looked within and just did its own thing. There should be no surprise then that East African artists found an intimate resonance with RnB. Embedded within the heritage of East African Music is Taarab. It is still a popular form of music in Tanzania and Kenya. This more traditional form of music is influenced by the traditions of the African Great Lakes, North Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent. With off shoots into Afro-folk, Kenyan High-life and Afrobeat, melody and narrative is the dynamic driver. A further distillation, access to digital streaming and ease of production, alongside an already primed vocal ability with innate melody, and you have East African RnB.

In cities like Nairobi the genre bubbles up from the underground with conviction. It serves as a bedrock for artists to flourish, re-igniting the notion of a Kenyan sound with a distinct panache. The genre is, however, typically labelled as “alternative” or “new age,” which is confusing.

Who’s on our playlist?

What we can say is that the emergence of RnB through an East African Lens has produced a truly sophisticated, inventive, and beautiful moment in music. The production value brings an atmospheric elegance which allows for the demonstration of refined vocal ability. Tinged with melody and sonics with African sensibilities, the sound is refreshing and imbued with class. As it continues to shift culture, there is no doubt we will see the sound making its presence felt come Awards season.

The RnB vibes by these East African artists are the WIRE’s favourites. They should be on your playlists for summer. Join us and explore the continent’s smooth sound revolution.

La Soülchyld, also known as MaimØon, is a multi-talented Ugandan-Rwandan musician & producer.  He has released a number of successful, self-produced singles featuring rising stars like Joshua Baraka, mau from nowhere, and Chxf Barry. Afro and baile-funk-inspired percussion and electrosoul bass give his music an alluring edge.