R&B but the “R” stands for romance
Images by John Baloy, Dana Trippe, & Black Sinatra
Rhythm & Blues has gone through dramatic sonic evolutions since it’s dawn in Black American communities during the 1940s. “R&B derived from gospel, jazz, folk, and traditional blues music and emerged in tandem with rock ‘n’ roll,” and has since become one of the most commercially successful genres, according to Masterclass.
Much like many brilliant art forms, the genre has since spread around the world, with each artist adding their own touch to the genre. Whether it is an artist’s way with words or instrumentation that communicates their ethnicity, R&B is almost always rooted in some element of romance.
Here are 8 R&B EPs to reminisce over romance…
4LUV - Blxckie
After the success of his debut album, B4Now, Blxckie enthrals listeners with a slowed down, laid back, soul bearing EP, 4LUV. In the vein of today’s contemporary R&B including elements of hip-hop, this South African beloved narrates the story of disillusionment in love to celebration of love, illustrating sentiment with a mix of English and isiZulu. 4LUV is a mid-tempo record with upbeat moments, perfectly incorporating Blxckie’s lyrical and production skill, alongside the contributions of London Rhodes, Hercules, Zooci Coke Dope and Nicole Elocin.
82 Moons - Tanerélle
Tanerélle’s rich and deep register was meant to romance listeners. With 6-track EP, 82 Moons she accomplishes this through slowed, outer space instrumentation, dark feminine allusions, and lyrics you’d imagine were inspired by Eros himself. This Atlanta, Georgia native wields her pen in favor of illustrating the desire to be chosen and enjoyed, all the while acknowledging the nature of a “million dollar man” is to choose another - even if there is shared romantic energy.
ANTINOMY - Michael Nereus
Love lost demands to be felt and Michael Nereus has penned it all in his 7-track debut EP, ANTINOMY. By definition the title means “a contradiction between two beliefs or conclusions that are in themselves reasonable; a paradox.” With this EP, this Mafikeng musician has sonically personified the dualities of benevolence and bitterness alongside privacy and grandiosity where romantic engagements are considered. With his artistry rooted in hip-hop and rap, ANTINOMY lends itself to more contemporary R&B soundscapes.
Silver Lining - Hunter Rose
While warm sentiment predicates a relationship, good timing is the difference between it thriving or dying. Silver Lining sees South African singer, Hunter Rose narrate the journey of making peace and moving on. With collaborators Clap Cotton, Made In M, and Wun Two, weaving woe into prose, rhythm, and blues, Hunter calls on Ali That Dude to add a smooth hip-hop element to 5-track EP.
Muhle Boy Problems - I M 4 N I
Alexandra, Johannesburg native, I M 4 N I waxes lyrical on matters of love and the softer side of masculinity. MUHLE BOY PROBLEMS sports 5-tracks, with low to mid-tempo instrumentation accompanied by languid percussive and saxophonic rhythms. A hero track of this record is “4RVER MINE”, where I M 4 N I holds true to contemporary R&B of the 90s in paying homage to Darkchild, Brandy and Monica’s “The Boy Is Mine”. In addition to paying homage, I M 4 N I narrates the story of lovers learning to lean into each other and feel safe in their shared ardour. Having produced the project himself, MUHLE BOY PROBLEMS is derived of I M 4 N I’s personal considerations around love, masculinity, and vulnerability.
Enigma - The Woodź
South African muso, The Woodź is as illusive as his EP title. Both a model and singer/songwriter, The Woodź presents a 6-track offering to both engage and entice audiences longing and lost in love. Slow in pace, lyrically reminiscent and yearning, Enigma’s instrumentation and lyrical composition are derived from a 2-year period of introspection and self discovery. The Woodź enlisted a slew of Southern African talent with contributions from Filah La La La, REMY, Muano, Tom Saison, NVMI, Stephen of Kent, and JILLZ.
Now Let Me Tell You - Yola
There’s always so much to say when a relationship has ended and Now Let Me Tell You is the embodiment of all the things people leave unsaid. Touching on the wonders and woes of a relationship, Yola is brazenly vulnerable. This mid to uptempo, 7-track EP packs a powerful punch in its consistent duality. While waxing lyrical about having sacrificed for a lover, instrumentation would entice listeners to dance. While weepingly questioning “How could you do this”, an infant demands attention in the background. Now Let Me Tell You demands to be heard, regardless of the juxtaposing ideas considered when a love has run its course.
Mirage - Mannywellz
Much like hallucinating an oasis in the desert, love can be like a mirage. Mannywellz’s EP, Mirage opens with what every partner wants to hear, their lover madly in love with them. As the EP plays, the narrative goes from a lovesick disposition, turns into lamentation, and returns to lovesickness again. The narrative of this 7-track EP plays like dream, sweet in the beginning and saddening towards the end; just like a mirage of an oasis in the desert. With features from Tems, VanJess, and Wale, Mirage is a smooth mid-tempo record blending Nigerian suave and soundscapes.
