The Soundtrack of Our Lives: How Love Scene ATL Revived R&B

When did you fall in love with R&B?

Was it when your grandparents played Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross, or "a little Anita" (or whatever Jamie said)? Or, was it when your mom was dancing around the living room with your aunties blasting Mary J., New Edition, and Michael Jackson? Maybe it was when you were old enough to develop your own taste in music—singing in front of the TV, waiting for the Top 10 countdown on 106 & Park to see Ashanti, Destiny’s Child, or Keyshia Cole.

Regardless of when those soulful melodies and heartfelt lyrics first entered your world, R&B has always been a timestamp in our lives. From marking “My First Love,” to playing a song on repeat while telling yourself “I’m Not Gon’ Cry,” and eventually “Sittin’ Up in My Room” daydreaming of what could be. So, if anyone ever told you that R&B was “dead,” they lied.

Last night, I witnessed what pure talent, passion, and commitment can produce. I attended Love Scene ATL, a production celebrating Black love with some of ATL’s finest independent artists. This event is curated by Britni Louise, owner of 2oh1 Studios, a company that assists with artist development. Britni—an artist herself—brought the show back for its second year, giving people exactly what they crave in good music: storytelling, the rasp of a voice, a live band, and that unexplainable release of endorphins pleasure, happiness, motivation, and maybe even a touch of stress release.

The event was held at the Mabel House Barnes Amphitheatre in Mableton, Georgia, the perfect setting for an intimate night of R&B and neo-soul. The show opened with curator Britni serenading the crowd, giving us a glimpse of what was to come. The remarkable lineup included Kenyon Dixon, K. Terry, Keeyen Martin, Tiffany Evans, Jai'Len Josey, Arzlee, Somalia, Morgan, and Mikaela Renee.

The narrative that R&B is dead was surely put to rest. Poetry filled the air as original songs told stories of being someone’s “Lil Freak,” while others reimagined classic Beyoncé tracks in ways that made you think, Hmm… I never thought of it like that, but I love it.

And if anyone tries to tell you again that R&B is dead, remember these words from artist Arzlee:

“You’re lazy. If you feel like R&B is dead, you’re not looking anywhere for it. Because we’re all out here. It’s not just one sound anymore—it’s so many people doing so many things, with so much talent, so much singing, so much songwriting. Sometimes, yes, you do have to look for us—but you can change that by tapping in.”

So to all my R&B lovers, I challenge you: When was the first time you fell in love with R&B?