Anyone claiming R&B is on the decline clearly hasn’t been paying attention to the genre as a whole, let alone subgenres like California Soul. SCENES, a SoundCloud original docuseries, spotlights emerging communities and subcultures made up of artists and fans who are shaping what’s next in music and culture around the world. This episode looks at SoCal Soul, paying tribute to R&B music by exploring how this bubbling scene coming out of Southern California is adding to the foundation in the present. Three decades ago, Tony! Toni! Toné! told us it never rains out there. Now, SoCal Soul is showing just how bright the future is for R&B music coming from the region and overall.
After searching far and wide through Southern California, SCENES identified artists hailing from Compton, Leimert Park, Inglewood, Long Beach, and beyond who are giving R&B music a boost by bringing their unique touches to SoCal Soul. This episode features a series of interviews with artists Alex Isley, Fana Hues, Mack Keane, India Shawn, Kenyon Dixon, Destin Conrad, as well as the producers Jack Dine and D’Mile. Each artist and producer offers a different definition of what R&B is to them, but the common denominator in each response is a passion for the genre, a responsibility to uphold its tradition, and a desire to add to it through their contributions.
“It always adapts, always evolves with the times... It is always present, always alive.”
- Alex Isley
Inspired by the legends, D’Mile developed his own sound based on a solid R&B foundation built by producers like Quincy Jones, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, Timbaland, and Pharrell Williams. “For me, it’s a part of life,” says producer D’Mile, who won a Grammy for Song of the Year in 2021 and 2022 and produced “Cali Love” by India Shawn.
“Anything that grows is gonna change…as long as we’re not afraid of that change, R&B is going to be good.” - Fana Hues
Destin Conrad, who was born in Tampa, Florida, and moved to Los Angeles at the age of 10, believes that relocating to the city helped broaden his horizons—especially artistically.
“R&B is what happens when church kids prevail… It’s history. It’s culture.” - Kenyon Dixon
Still, what is SoCal Soul? As it turns out, it’s more of a collection of artists united by their approach to R&B music rather than a singular sound. SCENES has allowed them a space to talk about their passion, art, and collaboration. But, more than anything, SoCal Soul is a feeling and essence felt through their music. Each artist in this documentary are reasons why R&B is in good hands moving forward.
Watch the full episode of SCENES here. And listen to the SoCal Soul playlist below.
LISTEN TO THE SCENES: SOCAL SOUL PLAYLIST
Credits: Directed by C.T. Robert. Portraits by Ira Chernova. BTS images by 70MM.
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