Did you hear? R&B is back with the past quarter's latest musical giftings from the likes of Ugandan singer/ producer, MAUIMØON aka La Soülchyld, Kenyan singer-songwriter Maya Amolo and Kenyan-Ugandan artist Xenia Manasseh. We tap into these three artists’ projects, where they shift the idea of what R&B can mean in a world of genreless music, balancing the nostalgia of our youths with visions of the musical future. 

For The Love of R&B Vol. 1 - MAUIMØON & La Soülchyld

For all the fans of toxic love and unhealthy relationships, real R&B is back! Kampala’s own MAUIMØON sent listeners swinging on a pendulum of vibes on his latest 10 track project, “For The Love of R&B Vol.1”. This sonically succinct album is an exciting return to the heart and soul of this beloved genre. However, this multi-talented musician in the form of performer MAUIMØON and producer La Soülchyld also expertly incorporates his signature alté energy across the project.

From the opening track, MAUIMØON deftly handles the spectrum of longing and yearning that we are so familiar with when it comes to R&B. We journey from “WOULDN’T KNOW”, which lyrically toys with the idea of loving a callously uninterested partner, pretending not see how much they truly feel for our protagonist, to “SUNRISE” featuring the sweetest girl, Maya Amolo’s airy background vocals, where the young casanova croons of the joys and pleasure of spending the night with his beaux, savouring the sensuality of the dawn. 

As you move through the album, the production is just as important in perfectly capturing the feeling of nonchalant heartbreak we all hope to exhibit in the face of an unfeeling partner. While MAUIMØON pulls us into each story with his voice, La Soülchyld juxtaposes the sometimes toxic and decidedly detached lyrics with beats that pull you to the dancefloor. Inquisitive, sultry basslines guide the ear, while eclectic afro-percussive elements steadily guide the rhythm. 

MAUIMØON did his big one, check out “For The Love of R&B Vol.1” here. 

What A Feeling - Maya Amolo

A drift from the traditional R&B we know this artist for, this EP gets this lyrical lover girl crooning of deep love for her city of Nairobi, over a blend of funky basslines, amapiano log drums and latin inspired guitar melodies. Maya Amolo’s recent musical offering, the genre-bending EP, “What A Feeling” is an exploration of different sounds, each having a different moment in the cultural zeitgeist. 

As a producer for 4 out of the 5 songs on the project, Michael Carpenter aka Cap and his expertise, understands Maya Amolo’s vocals in a way that beautifully uses the singer’s skills, highlighting them and accentuating the important moments throughout the EP. What might be one of Maya’s strongest vocal performances ever comes with the eponymous final and title track, “What A Feeling”. This song is perhaps the most precise; the singer is able to convey her message on the EP with a powerful use of her voice carrying the listener through the song. 

“What A Feeling” sweetly captures the feelings of desire, tension and love through immersive melodic choices, familiar percussive elements and Maya Amolo’s signature vocals. Make sure to take a listen here. 

LOVE/HATE Pt. 2 - Xenia Manasseh

Who doesn’t love a great ending? A year after releasing her debut album, LOVE/HATE Pt. 1, Xenia Manasseh is back with an exciting conclusion to this two part story. Preceded by its lead single, “Bad Side”, Xenia and producers Clint Ford and Marco Cuadra, giftedly bring about the R&B, trap style often explored by Xenia with groove and wit. The song samples Kenyan politician Milicent Odhiambo’s infamous call to action to all the “bad girls”, “Be a bad girl like me, and you’ll get somewhere!”. This sound bite accentuates Xenia’s lamenting of a failed relationship, where in the wake of heartbreak she feels she has had to pull on parts of herself she deems, “dangerous”, warning her partner of her “bad side”. Tonally this song does a great job of introducing this 12 track album to the listener. 

While Xenia maintains a strong R&B, Afrosoul vocal presence across the project, this album was not afraid to experiment. The popular amapiano log drum can be found boldly on “Hush”, the project’s fifth track, while it’s second track “Asali” featuring Nigerian artist Cracker Mallo, infuses her East African roots with a lingala guitar and pulsing kick that demands your waist to whine around. Songs like “Dare You” featuring Waye, have Xenia tapping into a dirty, hip hop energy, contrasted by the beautiful energy of her singing as she oscillates between a rhythmic cadence with her voice and belting high notes in the ad libs. Xenia creates so many delightful moments with her dynamic range and thoughtful melodic considerations. Her sound is unique and the spirit of her artistry can be felt across the project even as different producers take their turn at building a world around her creativity. 

Make sure you give LOVE/HATE Pt. 2 a listen here.