Close Menu
    • Live Nation has already sold 100m tickets in 2025 so far – compared to 98m sold in all of 2019
      Source: Music Business Worldwide Published on 2025-05-15
    • Court should reject Drake’s ‘dangerous’ assumption that rap lyrics are factual in case against UMG, scholars argue
      Source: Music Business Worldwide Published on 2025-05-15
    • Reservoir subsidiary PopIndia strikes its first catalog deal with Musicraft Entertainment acquisition
      Source: Music Business Worldwide Published on 2025-05-15
    • Producer Poo Bear launches TTIKR content monetization platform
      Source: Music Business Worldwide Published on 2025-05-15
    • Universal Music expands iconic Blue Note and Deutsche Grammophon jazz and classical labels into China
      Source: Music Business Worldwide Published on 2025-05-15
    • Maarten Steinkamp appointed Interim President of Armada Music Group
      Source: Music Business Worldwide Published on 2025-05-14
    • Rob Stevenson, Matt Signore launch new label ALTER, backed by Firebird
      Source: Music Business Worldwide Published on 2025-05-14
    • Sony generated $2.54bn from recorded music and publishing in calendar Q1 2025; Sony Music Group predicted to grow profit by ‘high single digits’ over next 12 months
      Source: Music Business Worldwide Published on 2025-05-14
    • UK artists generated more than $1bn on Spotify in 2024, up 8% from a year earlier
      Source: Music Business Worldwide Published on 2025-05-14
    • SoundCloud ‘fixes’ AI policy following backlash; CEO Eliah Seton says ‘AI should support artists, not replace them’
      Source: Music Business Worldwide Published on 2025-05-14
    • Did Anthropic’s own AI generate a ‘hallucination’ in legal defense against song lyrics copyright case?
      Source: Music Business Worldwide Published on 2025-05-14
    • Spotify expands AI DJ feature with voice-based music requests for Premium users
      Source: Music Business Worldwide Published on 2025-05-14
    • Bill Ackman resigns from Universal Music Group’s board of directors
      Source: Music Business Worldwide Published on 2025-05-14
    • Music publishers file amended lawsuit against AI firm Anthropic, which they say ‘bolsters the case’ over company’s ‘unauthorized use of song lyrics’
      Source: Music Business Worldwide Published on 2025-05-13
    • Jeremy Sirota to exit as Merlin CEO at end of 2025
      Source: Music Business Worldwide Published on 2025-05-13
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    EscopiaEscopia
    Subscribe
    • Home
    • Latest

      Nomfundo Yekani Pens Down An Open Love Letter In Brand New Single “Onjengami”

      May 30, 2025

      House Sensation UMngomezulu Releases Anticipated EP ‘Turning Pain into Music’

      May 29, 2025

      Cold Chinese Food Beam Off A Light of Positivity & Self-Value in Debut Single “Ethiopian Coffee”

      May 8, 2025

      “123 Block Myself” Music Video: A Reflection Of Vice And Esteem By Loatinover Pounds

      April 9, 2025

      Interview: TDK Macassette Talks New Single ‘Sorry Makhe’, The Power of Amapiano, and More.

      April 9, 2025
    • Popular
      1. Latest
      2. Shows
      3. Videos
      4. View All

      Nomfundo Yekani Pens Down An Open Love Letter In Brand New Single “Onjengami”

      May 30, 2025

      House Sensation UMngomezulu Releases Anticipated EP ‘Turning Pain into Music’

      May 29, 2025

      Cold Chinese Food Beam Off A Light of Positivity & Self-Value in Debut Single “Ethiopian Coffee”

      May 8, 2025

      “123 Block Myself” Music Video: A Reflection Of Vice And Esteem By Loatinover Pounds

      April 9, 2025

      Watch: Kim Jayde Unites With Phil Lipschultz In Part 1 Of Special Episode Where They Speak On ‘Erika’s Poem’; ‘Unheardof’ and More

      November 11, 2024

      Manicured Claws Out, Masks Off: Betrayal and Bloody Feuds Take Centre Stage In Savage Beauty’s Explosive New Season

      June 11, 2024

      Netflix Unveils A Soweto Love Story – A Heartfelt And Humourous Homegrown Rom-Com 

      January 17, 2024

      Watch: Tyson Sybateli Speaks On His RTD Festival Experience, Journey And More

      December 6, 2023

      “123 Block Myself” Music Video: A Reflection Of Vice And Esteem By Loatinover Pounds

      April 9, 2025

      Eemoh Drops Fresh Visual EP ‘The Lost Files’: A Cinematic Journey Into Unreleased Tracks

      February 27, 2025

      Kids Love Jazz: A Youthful Boost to Braamfontein’s Jazz Scene.

      November 29, 2024

      Tasha HendrixX Grapples With Industry Politics In Cinematic Visuals For “No Favours”

      November 28, 2024

      Nomfundo Yekani Pens Down An Open Love Letter In Brand New Single “Onjengami”

      May 30, 2025

      House Sensation UMngomezulu Releases Anticipated EP ‘Turning Pain into Music’

      May 29, 2025

      Cold Chinese Food Beam Off A Light of Positivity & Self-Value in Debut Single “Ethiopian Coffee”

      May 8, 2025

      Interview: TDK Macassette Talks New Single ‘Sorry Makhe’, The Power of Amapiano, and More.

      April 9, 2025
    • Contact Us
    EscopiaEscopia
    Home » Strictly Soul’s Akio Talks Old School R&B, the Event Space, and R&B Community.
    Editor's Pick Interview

    Strictly Soul’s Akio Talks Old School R&B, the Event Space, and R&B Community.

    Nonjabulo MalingaBy Nonjabulo MalingaJuly 5, 2024No Comments5 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit Telegram LinkedIn Tumblr VKontakte WhatsApp Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter Reddit Pinterest Email
    Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

    Africa’s biggest R&B link-up, Strictly Soul, is taking a break after an incredible season. With fans and residencies across the continent, this event has the potential for global impact. Strictly Soul, led by deejay and founder Akio, packs its events with R&B favourites for R&B lovers. After a special winter edition called Chinchilla Social, Strictly Soul returns in September for another season of rhythmic and bluesy nights.

    Strictly Soul founder Akio Kawahito is embarking on a summer tour that will see him circling many corners of the world. As a lover and martyr of R&B, his vision for the genre is inspiring. For South Africans who love feel-good R&B music, this event fills a gap that few other event spaces ever will. Ahead of his stop in Atlanta, we spoke to Akio about Strictly Soul’s phenomenal 4-year run.

    Akio Kawahito


    Give me an executive summary of Strictly Soul and the type of person who would enjoy it most.

    Strictly Soul is the first fully dedicated R&B party in Africa. We’ve essentially taken Old School Soul Sessions from your Auntie on a Sunday and transformed it into a premium high-energy party that plays all eras of R&B. Even though, at its core, it’s a party for girls, anyone who loves R&B would love it. The night is really dedicated to people who want a break from the regular nights out where you hear the same commercial music over and over. We’ve created a space where you can sing along and dance to all your favourite songs that they never play at the club.

    Strictly Soul is taking a break after an amazing season. What fond memory from this past year will you cherish?

    For me, there were a couple of really amazing moments. I think the two that stand out the most were hosting Filah Lah Lah at our live concert series in Johannesburg. When we first moved to the Old Biscuit Mill in Cape Town, 1,300 people showed up.

    R&B and Soul has evolved over the years, but its essence remains steadfast. Is the superiority of old school over new school R&B a fact, or are you also a fan of the new sounds?

    Ha! It’s tough for me to say that old-school R&B is superior. The genre has changed and evolved. I grew up in the 90s, so that era will always be close to my heart and super relevant. R&B kind of disappeared once all the rappers started singing from around 2012 – 2017 or so. Then, we saw a really incredible rebirth with artists like Bryson Tiller, Brent Fiayez, SZA, Summer Walker, and more. The trap soul element really slowed down the sound and the subject matter became a bit more toxic compared to the more wholesome feel of old school, but it reintroduced R&B to a whole new generation. We also got really talented and versatile artists like H.E.R, SiR, and others who can play in the more traditional space but also hit those new school elements.

     

     

     

    Strictly Soul, Africa’s biggest R&B link-up, sounds like a huge production. What are some of the challenges that you think you could never get used to when it comes to planning an event?

    I mean, with repetition, things get easier. In South Africa, we got the production down like clockwork. The bigger challenges are the other cities across the continent. Most of the events keep growing, so we have to move to new venues, which always means new challenges and learnings. The thing you can never get used to is no matter how much planning and forecasting you do for a new venue. You’re only gonna see how guests engage and behave in the space once the doors open. This is why our 2nd event in any space is always much better.

    The past few years have been challenging for the event space, with the closing of Konka Soweto and the sad ending of Sunday Roast. How is Strictly Soul keeping its flame alive?

    Both Konka and Roast had amazing runs and were extremely impactful to the culture. For Strictly Soul, our biggest advantage was that we’re the first event of our kind on the continent. We’ve also really focused on organic growth. Because we don’t over-promote, many people are finding out about our event now. We’ve been around for 4 years. Each event sells out and has a huge influx of new people, so the event stays fresh and in demand. We also really put a lot of thought into new themes, concepts, and ways to build and engage our communities.

    Strictly Soul also keeps the flame alive by activating in so many countries across the continent. Being part of an international movement adds a different aura of prestige and glamour to each event.

    Which 2 artists, legendary or up-and-coming, would you like to bring to perform at Strictly Soul in the next season?

    Yoh! It is such a tough one, but I would go with Sade and SZA!

    As you reflect over the past year, what are your hopes for Strictly Soul and its fans?

    From our main event side, we really want to keep improving the experience. To bring more people into the community and continue to grow the brand across Africa. In terms of the culture, our biggest objective moving forward is to continue to take the brand beyond just a party. To really elevate R&B and, in particular African R&B artists by creating more live performance platforms and a bigger platform for their music.

     

    R&B has a safe space to grow and mold us for many more years to come because of Strictly Soul. As the local R&B scene snowballs, the community and the support for R&B sounds will find the hard-to-reach places. Be on the lookout for updates on Strictly Soul’s return in Spring. Follow Strictly Soul for me.  

    Events R&B Strictly Soul
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Reddit Email
    Previous ArticleMo Artwell Joins Forces With Hopemasta To Deliver Head-Bopping Single “Same Song”
    Next Article Marcus Harvey Returns with His Long Awaited Album “Now You Know Me”
    Nonjabulo Malinga
    • Instagram

    I am a black girl who loves good music. The commercial and underground South African music scene is buzzing, and I would love my corner of the internet to highlight that buzz.

    Related Posts

    Interview: TDK Macassette Talks New Single ‘Sorry Makhe’, The Power of Amapiano, and More.

    April 9, 2025

    The Rise of Biri Marung Superstars – Ego Slimflow and Mr Pilato

    March 18, 2025

    Producer CocoSA Talks New Single ‘Wahamba’, Favourite Zakes Bantwini Hit, and Blending Soulful House and Amapiano Authentically.

    March 7, 2025

    Eemoh Drops Fresh Visual EP ‘The Lost Files’: A Cinematic Journey Into Unreleased Tracks

    February 27, 2025
    Add A Comment
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from Escopia.

      Escopia is a platform where all types of unaddressed topics are addressed for the youth. This platform is built to inform the youth about the world and the things in it.

      We're social. Connect with us:

      Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube TikTok
      Latest Posts

      Nomfundo Yekani Pens Down An Open Love Letter In Brand New Single “Onjengami”

      May 30, 2025

      House Sensation UMngomezulu Releases Anticipated EP ‘Turning Pain into Music’

      May 29, 2025

      Cold Chinese Food Beam Off A Light of Positivity & Self-Value in Debut Single “Ethiopian Coffee”

      May 8, 2025
      Get Informed

      Subscribe to Updates

      Get the latest creative news from Escopia.

      © 2025 Escopia. Designed by Escopia
      • Home
      • Latest
      • Popular

      Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.