Kenyan DJ Talks RnB’s Resurgence and the Rise of Daytime Festivals
Kenyan DJ JT The Drone recently spoke about the resurgence of the RnB genre in Africa. He believes RnB has stood the test of time and continues to thrive, especially in Kenya.
As an uptown DJ from Nairobi, The Drone highlighted Kenya’s role in keeping RnB alive. “Kenya has always led the charge with RnB,” he said. “The only change is the genre’s resurgence in Africa. Time will tell if it will hold strong, especially at festivals.”
According to JT, Gen-Z is slowly embracing the RnB culture. They are increasingly attending RnB festivals, showing that the genre has a broad appeal across generations. “Gen-Z is a bit shocked at how big RnB is, but Millennials are enjoying it because it’s the music they grew up with,” he explained. “I’ve seen many Gen-Zs at RnB festivals, proving that timeless music speaks to everyone.”
Drone is also the co-founder of Rhythm and Brunch Africa, an event that takes people back to the golden age of RnB. The event features DJs spinning classic hits from the late ’90s and early 2000s, focusing on artists like Usher, Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, and Destiny’s Child. “Rhythm & Brunch lets guests hang out, brunch, and sing along to their favorite songs,” he said.
Rhythm & Brunch Africa is growing in popularity, with upcoming editions in Mombasa, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in December. “It’s more than a party; it’s a community,” Drone added.
JT The Drone has built a loyal following among middle-class Africans and expatriates in their late 20s to 40s, who love the nostalgic experience of RnB in a welcoming environment.
Born into a musical family, his grandfather was a renowned guitarist. “Music was always around me. My grandfather played guitar, and my uncles were always in the studio,” The Drone shared.
Reflecting on his early connection with Nairobi, Drone said it wasn’t love at first sight. “I came to Nairobi from the village by Easy Coach and was dropped off in Westlands. Nothing about the city excited me, so I can’t relate to the typical culture shock.”
Despite his initial reservations, JT has made a name for himself as a DJ, particularly known for his daytime parties. “I’ve evolved as a DJ. The club scene is fading, and day festivals are the future,” he concluded.