Some Kinda RnB Festival: Making History

Some Kinda RnB Festival 2025: Making History

St. Catherines, ON – August 30-31, 2025

Written by Imani Busby

Photographed by Media Pass Emerging Artist Program Some Kinda Festival Team: Imani Dominique Busby, Erykah Bugros, Jordan Bailey, Barrett Potts, Jojo Ojofeitimi, Rod Doost, Sean Rosario, and Donta Maitland.

From August 30-31, Some Kinda R&B Festival made history as Canada’s first R&B festival. Set in the heart of St. Catharines, Ontario, right in Wine Country, it offered a refreshing escape from the usual downtown Toronto scene. The experience was different but in the best way: open skies, scenic surroundings, and a slower pace that gave everyone room to breathe and really take in the music. For many, it was the perfect Labour Day getaway.

The organizers had attendees in mind as they had organized shuttles for commuters, discounted hotel options for those coming from out of town. That kind of care goes a long way, especially for a first-time festival of this size. And for those who made the journey, it ended up being well worth it.

DAY ONE

Day One started in the afternoon and delivered a lineup that stayed true to it’s R&B theme.

Arianna Reid opened with a beautiful, emotional set that really set the tone. She was followed by THEHONESTGUY, who brought a vibrant blend of R&B and Afrobeats. With a saxophonist onstage, his set was groovy and soulful.

One of the most energetic moments came during the DJ set from Somebody Anybody, featuring DJ Summer Knocks and the charismatic hosts MC Trey Molly and Dee Boy. The trio truly shifted the mood from relaxed to electric. People got up off their picnic blankets, line dancing broke out during Before I Let You Go, and a couple of fans even pulled off a TikTok dance to a popular Chris Brown track. It was exciting to see the crowd transform from a chilled-out R&B audience to a full-on day party. They spun classics from September to Thong Song, and the way the hosts and DJ worked the crowd was masterful.

Then came a classic R&B performance from Avenoir. Despite a few technical issues, he powered through with clear, smooth vocals and a strong stage presence. His live band added a richness to the sound, and he left a memorable impression.

Aqyila completely lit up the stage. She was joyful and radiant, with bright vocals and a warm energy that spilled out into the crowd. You could tell this moment meant a lot to her. She took time to thank fans for supporting her music, especially those who discovered her through TikTok, and it felt incredibly genuine, like we were witnessing someone’s dream unfold in real time.

Jacquees was up next. Eagerly anticipated by the audience, he danced, sang, and kept the energy up while still staying in step with the smooth R&B tone of the night. In addition to performing, he made time for an exclusive backstage interview with journalist Imani Walker. It was refreshing to see an international artist not only show up but also engage directly with emerging Canadian media and local audiences in such an honest and grounded way.

Last but not least, Muni Long took the stage. She came out in a stunning red outfit, dancers surrounding her, and delivered a show that reminded everyone of just how seasoned she is. Her vocals were powerful, confident, and deeply moving. She performed her own hits like Hrs and Hrs and Time Machine, and also reminded us of the many songs she’s written for others. Her set was the perfect close to day one — soulful, commanding, and full of heart.

DAY TWO

Day Two of Some Kinda RnB Festival brought everyone right back. It did start a few hours behind, but the show itself made up for it – and so did the vendors. Food trucks offered up some great eats, Brock University had a pop-up giving out free merch, and festival-branded fans helped everyone beat the heat. It felt like a true community event, with people hanging out, snacking, and mingling while waiting for the music to begin.

Benita opened the second day with a soft, heartfelt set that showcased her talent and hinted at a bright future. EB3N followed with a classic R&B sound that had real presence. We had a lovely conversation with him after his set.

Then FRVRFRIDAY came out and was clearly a fan favourite, audience members knew all the word to his songs, and the energy was contagious. Somebody Anybody returned for another DJ set and once again got the crowd moving.

By the time Kiana Ledé stepped out, everyone was back in full festival mode. Her performance was smooth, sultry, and packed with strong vocals, choreography, and storytelling. She had us singing along and even led a fun call-and-response moment that felt sweet and intimate.

But the most anticipated artist of the weekend was definitely Mariah The Scientist. When she walked on stage, the crowd was already buzzing. Different from yesterday’s headliner with dancers and costume changes, it was just her onstage. With raw vocals, and in a simple white tee and jeans, she held the entire audience in the palm of her hand. Her vocals were sharp and delicate, her stage presence calm but magnetic.

What made her set even more memorable was how engaged she was with her fans. She spoke directly to the crowd, signed posters, clothes, even a Spider hoodie. Someone gave her a portrait, someone else gave her a cake — and she received it all with warmth and gratitude. It felt like she wasn’t just performing, she was really there, fully present, soaking it all in with us.

In the end, Some Kinda R&B Festival was something special. It was inspiring to witness local teams like Some Kinda RnB Festival’s team, 925 Inc., volunteers, and the brilliant minds behind the scenes like Tinesha Richards, De Vante Walker, Amber Folkes, Malaika Lorde, Rianna Jones, Naylah Ricketts, Kaylani Ramsey, Jahlyssa Walker, and so many others pull off an event of this scale with so much intention and heart. Sure, there were a few things to smooth out for next year, but the energy, the music, the atmosphere? All of it came together to create something genuinely beautiful.

If you weren’t there this year, you’re definitely going to want to be there next time. This was more than just a festival, it’s a new tradition in the making.