A “history-making moment” for UK R&B has arrived in the form of the Official R&B UK Chart.
The Official Charts Company has announced the launch of the new weekly chart, which is “dedicated to showcasing the freshest homegrown R&B releases”.
The first chart will launch on Friday, September 11 and be published at 9am on September 14 on officialcharts.com.
The initiative was developed in collaboration with Everything RNB (ERNB), founded by Kiss Xtra’s DJ Ace, who has long been campaigning for increased recognition for the genre.
This is a powerful acknowledgement of the talent, influence and cultural impact of R&B and soul artists across this country
DJ Ace, Everything RNB
“We are incredibly proud to be part of this history-making moment for UK R&B and soul,” Ace commented. “Everything RNB was created to champion the genre, amplify its artists and help build the recognition and infrastructure it has always deserved. This is what we have been striving towards from the beginning.”
He added that the launch of an official chart represents “far more than rankings”.
Ace said: “It is a powerful acknowledgement of the talent, influence and cultural impact of R&B and soul artists across this country. We are extremely grateful to the Official Charts Company for recognising the importance of this moment and for its commitment to working with the culture and community to make it possible. What a time this is for R&B and soul in the UK. Artists are creating world-class music, audiences are showing up for the genre, and the wider industry is recognising its undeniable influence. We are proud to stand alongside everyone contributing to this movement and excited about what this moment will make possible for generations to come.”
A press release highlighted the breadth of the genre, suggesting the chart will recognise “contemporary R&B, neo-soul, alternative R&B, R&B-pop, soul-infused rap and the genre's evolving underground”.
We're creating a new platform to celebrate the records and artists shaping the future of British R&B
Chris Austin & Becca Monahan, OCC
Compiled by the Official Charts Company, the new list will rank the biggest current R&B singles by British artists each week, based on combined UK sales and streams. Eligible tracks must have been released within the previous 12 months.
The chart will offer new recognition for established names alongside emerging and independent talent, while providing artists, fans and the wider music industry with a dedicated weekly snapshot of the records driving consumption in the UK.
Chris Austin & Becca Monahan, co-managing directors, Official Charts Company said: “The UK is producing some of the most exciting R&B music in the world, and this new chart is designed to recognise and showcase the artists driving that success. By providing a dedicated weekly chart for British R&B releases, we hope to give greater visibility to the breadth of talent emerging across the genre. We're proud to be working with Everything R&B on this initiative, bringing together their deep connection to the R&B community with Official Charts' trusted data and chart expertise. Together, we're creating a new platform to celebrate the records and artists shaping the future of British R&B.”
This chart is a step towards building out the infrastructure to match the genre's growing demand
Komali Scott-Jones, AWAL
Komali Scott-Jones, A&R Director, AWAL added: “R&B is such an expansive genre that has resonated for generations with British audiences in all its various forms. In recent years, the internet has allowed British R&B artists to transcend the physical borders that have been historically placed on them and find success with an engaged, growing audience both in the UK, the US and globally. Homegrown R&B artists are sharing a refreshing take on the genre, blending the conventions of the R&B tradition with modern and diasporic influences, setting the tone for an exciting new era.”
Scott-Jones added: “This chart is a step towards building out the infrastructure to match the genre's growing demand, encourage meaningful investments for artists and help them create a sustainable business around their art. British R&B and its artists deserve to have a healthy ecosystem to exist within and become the next jewel in the musical crown of the UK. British artists are making world class music and competing on a global stage and that support must start at home.”
Eric Hunter, business development manager, Official Charts Company said: “The idea for the Official R&B UK Chart came from recognising a gap in the market and the need to give R&B artists from the UK more visibility, credibility and a meaningful benchmark for success. For me the most important thing is that the chart properly serves the R&B community. It gives artists and labels a tangible benchmark to build on, documents the culture by creating a lasting record of success and with the right industry support it has the potential to become a really important platform for R&B in the UK.”
Read more about the new chart in the next issue of Music Week, on sale September 15.
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