In the serene Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington D.C., members of the Recording Academy's D.C. Chapter gathered for an exclusive dinner that sparked dynamic discussion and performances, celebrating the unique culture of the R&B community.
In conversation with local creators and artists from the capital region, Recording Academy Washington D.C. Chapter President, Tamara Wellons, and singer/songwriter, Baby Rose, discussed the evening’s primary question, "Can we have rhythm without the blues?"
On Feb. 22, the event unfolded at Bronze, a restaurant inspired by Afrofuturism that merges culinary arts with the culture of the African diaspora. Set in a dimly lit room adorned with gilded artwork, and guests seated at long communal tables, the establishment provided an intimate atmosphere for open and thoughtful dialogue.
In partnership with the Recording Academy's D.C. Chapter and The Black Music Collective, the evening was sponsored by 23andMe, offering a unique opportunity for the community to explore the depths of their heritage and individuality.
Wellons crafted the conversation around the power that R&B has in everyone's life. She shared how this power shapes her own experiences and the ways she lives.
"There’s a place that R&B music is pulled from." Wellons said. She elaborated on how her roles as a mother, wife, and community leader are shaped by her connections to the soul community. "I have to be influential and find the balance," she said.
Born in Washington D.C., Baby Rose, has a profound love for the R&B and soul communities in her hometown. "D.C. is rich in all different types of music — soul just hits differently," said Baby Rose.
"I come from a lineage of strong women," she said to guests. "When it came to finding what I wanted to say, it came from everything I was made to be ashamed of." Finding that power in things that once brought her shame has been an enduring influence on her distinctive sound.
Rose went on to note the impact R&B has had on her music and her roots, both as a woman of color and an artist. “I think (the music) hits different when you tell your story,” she said. “This last record I did in the span of two weeks, and it all poured out of me.”
Between a delicious four course meal and meaningful discussion, Baby Rose performed a stripped version of her new single "One Last Dance," accompanied by Guitarist Ari O’Neal. O’Neal, hailing from Takoma Park, Maryland, also grew up on soul music and used that influence to craft her own genre of R&B. Guests in attendance bore witness to just an ounce of her incredible magic.
As the night continued, conversation centered around more than just the historical impacts of the R&B community and dug deeper into the ways that R&B has helped to transform the mindset of our artists. Guests broke out into small conversation groups and the sense of passion for the DMV community illuminated the room. The topic brought powerful insights, not only on the present, but for the future.
The conversations were impactful, the community was strong, and the consensus confirmed that hope lies within the next generation, but only if the conversation continues.
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