There is something about old-school RnB that makes a crowd forget how old they are.
The opening notes of a familiar song can turn a room into a collective memory, with people singing along to choruses they have not heard in years, sometimes on key, sometimes nowhere near it, but always with conviction.
That is the mood Old School RnB and Friends is bringing back to Kampala this Sunday, September 6, at Mestil Hotel, with Michael Kitanda headlining an evening dedicated to the music that shaped a generation.
Kitanda will be joined by violinist Debbie, whose live instrumentation promises to give the familiar sounds a different texture, while DJs Aselm, Aludah and Selecta Jay will handle the soundtrack. Derrick Dasha will host the evening.
The appeal of events such as Old School RnB and Friends goes beyond simply playing old songs. Kampala’s nightlife has increasingly leaned towards Amapiano, Afrobeat and electronic-driven sets, creating plenty of energy but sometimes leaving little room for the songs people grew up knowing from beginning to end.
Old-school gatherings have filled that gap by creating spaces where the audience is not merely expected to dance, but to participate.
For millennials, it is a chance to revisit the soundtrack of their formative years. For younger revellers, particularly Gen Z, it has become an opportunity to discover the music that existed before streaming algorithms and TikTok determined what became a hit.
That makes the experience particularly suited to the brands supporting it.
Tusker Cider, one of the sponsors, has increasingly found a natural place in social experiences built around food, music and easy-going outdoor or lifestyle occasions.
“Tusker Cider is about creating refreshing moments that people can enjoy together, and experiences like Old School RnB and Friends give us the perfect environment to do that,” says Sandra Againe, Tusker Cider Brand Manager. “It is about good music, good company and enjoying the moment without overcomplicating it.”
Baileys, meanwhile, brings a softer, more indulgent character to the experience. Its association with coffee, desserts and relaxed social occasions makes it a natural fit for an event built around slowing down, reconnecting and enjoying familiar pleasures.
“For us, it is really about those moments of indulgence and connection,” says Nancy Nansikombi, Baileys Brand Manager. “Music has a way of bringing people together, and when you combine that with good conversation, great company and a Baileys serve, you create an experience people want to remember.”
And perhaps that is the real attraction of Old School RnB and Friends.
In a city where the nightlife is constantly changing, there remains an audience that simply wants to hear a song they know, sing every word, meet old friends and make new memories around music that has already survived the test of time.
On Sunday, Mestil becomes another meeting point between those memories and the present, with Michael Kitanda, Debbie and the DJs providing the soundtrack.
