Spotify has rebranded their acclaimed Are&Be (R&B) playlist into RNB X with Victoria Monét, Summer Walker, and Keke Palmer leading the launch.
Over the past year, the streaming platform has seen a nearly 25% increase in R&B streams, making R&B one of its fastest-growing genres. On the rebrand, Spotify explained in a statement, “R&B is constantly changing, taking new shapes and reinventing itself through generations and so the new and improved global R&B flagship, RNB X will reflect that — showcasing its global reach and representing that fluidity. X can mean a lot of things. X is a variable, the value we solve for most frequently in math. X could literally be anything, X is infinite— just like R&B.”
Spotify’s Head Of R&B Alaysia Sierra told VIBE, “When we sat down to discuss how to bring the rebrand to life, we knew it had to lead with the artists that were at the forefront of the resurgence. This is a big year for Victoria with ‘Jaguar II’ and her headlining tour, which we supported with R&B First Nights and so it was only fitting to have her spotlighted with this campaign.”
Following the release and success of her debut album, JAGUAR II, Monét broke down why she chose to partner with Spotify, streaming, and what the future of R&B looks like to her. “Spotify has been extremely supportive of ‘Jaguar II’ and its singles, so when I was asked to partner for a name change of the very playlist that met me where I was and changed so much about the dynamic of my career, I was honored and ready!,” said the rising superstar. “I also have an aspiration for acting so it was a really fun experience for me.”
The three-time Grammy nominee teased, “Streaming is the meeting place for fans and I! Spotify is a five-star date night restaurant where fans can consume all the music I have cooked up! It’s where I can get very instant feedback and stats via ‘Spotify For Artists’ too. I think because streaming is worldwide, had it not existed my music wouldn’t even make it to certain places in the world so I’m super thankful to be living in 2023 where streaming exists and thrives!” When speaking about the future of R&B, the “On My Mama” singer expressed, “I think R&B has been at the forefront of what is new and innovative for years. The DNA of R&B is forever evolving and involving! It never dies down, it reinvents, paves new streets and inspires other genres. I’m excited about the artists coming up in this version of R&B that has no limits, aren’t afraid to explore/merge sounds and are assured in their own unique presentation of it.”
Watch the Monét’s RNB X campaign video, directed by Anthony Jamari Thomas, above.
__.jpg)
.jpg)
