Soul September

The Soul September collection celebrates the best in today’s R&B and soul. For 2022, Soul September celebrates a new school of R&B and soul artists who are reimagining the genre and driving its renaissance both in the UK and across the African continent. African artists in the R&B space have been embracing more and more of the local sounds and languages that shaped them—and blending them with contemporary moods. As artists embrace their pride in being African, Afro-fusion is the name of the game on the continent, incorporating elements of Afrobeats, R&B, reggae, dancehall, and traditional sounds like highlife into a soulful, ever-evolving soundscape. In the UK, R&B’s breakout stars all bear a level of maturity that sees them as much at ease with lighthearted love songs as they are with vulnerable, reflective moods. Here, there’s a true respect for the craft and its traditions, and a celebration of classic elements of soul—matched with a readiness to defy expectations. Across the globe, today’s emerging R&B stars take inspiration from their forebears to lead a generation of voices who fuse culture, relatable lyricism and boundless expression and drive R&B’s sonic evolution. Here you’ll find guest playlists from some of the scenes most exciting new acts, alongside must-hear new releases, modern classics, music videos and more.