Spotify holds songwriting camp in Nairobi

To further elevate the popularity of the genre across the continent, Spotify, in collaboration with COLORSxSTUDIOS, brought together 18 musicians, songwriters and producers from Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Botswana, Burundi and the diaspora for a multi-day songwriting camp in Nairobi that concluded on 6 October.

Some of the artists who were part of the writing camp, either in their capacity as artists, songwriters or producers, included Tay Iwar (Nigeria), Msaki (South Africa), Xenia Manasseh (Kenya), Sauti Sol’s Bien (Kenya), Titose (Botswana) and Mbryo (Nigeria).

The camp’s impact on the attendees has been massive, and continues to build back on the original mission which Spotify and COLORSxSTUDIOS set out to achieve with this partnership, which was to highlight homegrown R&B on a global scale, while providing a platform for African R&B artists to connect. 

Speaking on the intention behind the camp, Spotify’s artist & label partnerships manager, East Africa Monica Kemoli-Savanne, said: “The intention was to create a space for cross-border collaboration between African R&B artists. Collaboration is key in the movement and export of music and that was why we had the camp.

“The collaboration with COLORSxSTUDIOS represents our commitment to showcasing and celebrating top African R&B talents. R&B music has a unique ability to touch the soul, and we’re thrilled to bring this memorable experience to fans,” Kemoli-Savanne added.  

After the camp, Spotify hosted an R&B party to treat music enthusiasts to an extraordinary experience. The party, held at Nairobi Street Kitchen, also sought to unite established and upcoming R&B artists, songwriters and music producers from across sub-Saharan Africa and beyond. 

The night kicked off with an energetic ambiance as guests mingled and eagerly awaited the upcoming performances. The lineup of DJs was nothing short of stellar, showcasing emerging R&B stars who treated the audience to captivating sets with some hit songs from Spotify’s premiere R&B playlist, Tantalizers. 

The dance floor remained bustling, while the room buzzed with exciting energy. First on the decks was Sir M, who started off the crowd with a chill set, setting the vibes for the night. Following his set, Blinky Bill took to the stage, electrifying the crowd with his energetic set, all while delivering crowd-pleasing hits. Coco Em closed off the night, starting off with a hip hop set that lit up the audience, displaying her unique style.

The night was not just about music – it was a celebration of the R&B community, in Kenya and beyond, coming together to appreciate the genre’s artistry and a reminder of the power of music to bring people together and create unforgettable moments.