Africa’s biggest R&B event series, Strictly Soul, is continuing its rapid international expansion with the announcement of four new territories for 2026, further cementing its position as one of the continent’s most influential music and culture platforms.
The brand will officially launch in Brussels, Kinshasa, Maputo and Harare, marking another major step in the growth of a movement that has transformed R&B nightlife and community culture across Africa and the diaspora.
Known for its nostalgia driven atmosphere, immersive crowd experiences and carefully curated soundtracks, Strictly Soul has built a loyal following by celebrating both classic and contemporary R&B music in premium event spaces. The expansion reflects the brand’s growing cultural influence and the increasing demand for dedicated R&B experiences in African and international markets.
The newly announced territories have already shown strong early momentum, with organisers reporting sold out events and overwhelming audience reception. The response highlights not only the enduring global appeal of R&B music, but also the strength of the Strictly Soul identity as a lifestyle and cultural platform.
The next phase of the expansion began with the brand’s debut in Maputo on 11 April 2026, followed by its highly anticipated arrival in Harare on 16 May 2026 at La Parada. The Harare edition is expected to draw significant interest from music lovers eager for a dedicated R&B experience that blends nostalgia, community and modern nightlife culture.
Alongside the territorial expansion, Strictly Soul has also introduced a new concept called Strictly Soul Privè, an intimate extension of the brand focused on deeper musical discovery and alternative R&B culture.
Unlike the main event series, which leans heavily into commercially celebrated R&B classics and crowd favourites, Strictly Soul Privè will spotlight New School, Alternative and South African R&B sounds through curated listening sessions, live performances and intimate audience experiences.
The concept is designed to create a more personal environment where fans and artists can engage meaningfully with evolving R&B sounds and emerging talent. Organisers say the initiative responds to a growing gap within the broader R&B scene, where more experimental and less commercial music often struggles to find dedicated spaces.
“As Strictly Soul and the R&B event space as a whole have grown, we’ve found that a lot of the music we love doesn’t have a place in the scene so we’ve created an event that takes a lot of my opening set music and features it the whole night,” said Akio Kawahito.
Founded as a community centred around shared musical nostalgia and emotional connection, Strictly Soul has evolved into a globally recognised cultural brand with a footprint stretching across multiple cities and audiences. Its continued growth signals not only the strength of R&B culture in Africa, but also the increasing global appetite for African curated nightlife experiences.
With expansion accelerating and new concepts emerging, Strictly Soul appears poised to further shape the future of R&B culture on the continent and beyond.
