Nevermind R&B music—performing secular music seemed like a longshot for Kenyon Dixon, initially. The Los Angeles native wasn’t allowed to listen to it growing up, but still aspired to be a rapper at first. Dixon eventually found his way to R&B, powered by the influence of his parents, who passed on the musical aptitude they sharpened in the church. He got his break as a background singer and writer during the 2010s, working with Beyoncé, Pharrell Williams, Usher, Mary J. Blige, Kirk Franklin, Nick Jonas, Tyrese and more. Dixon has released a series of EPs and full-length projects, including 2022’s Closer, which is his strongest body of work to date. That’s why we chose to feature Dixon in our SCENES: SoCal Soul documentary, which spotlights emerging R&B artists in Southern California.
SCENES focuses on communities of artists and fans who are determining what’s next in music and culture on a global level. SoCal Soul is more a collection of artists who are grouped together due to their location and love of R&B music than a specific sound, but each artist in the category is well aware of the West Coast’s contributions to the genre and eager to make their own. As a former church kid, Dixon appreciates when he can feel the influence of gospel music in R&B, because so much of the latter’s history is rooted in the former.
“R&B is what happens when church kids prevail… it’s history, it’s culture.”
Dixon grew up listening to R&B legends who gave him a strong foundation, ultimately influencing his own music once he struck out on his own.
“I listen to a lot of the greats… I listen to Marvin Gaye and Stevie [Wonder]. I picked records from them that I really loved and I tried to match those feelings.”
Dixon spent years experimenting with different styles, sifting through his influences trying to determine where they ended and he began. He eventually carved out his own artistic identity, but has fond memories of the time he spent sorting it all out—some of which is on SoundCloud.
“I went through a lot of different sonic changes where I kind of tried to figure out what I thought was cool…and ironically, a lot of that music I put up—and is still up—on SoundCloud.”
Discover more of Kenyon Dixon’s music and check out our SoCal Soul playlist to hear more emerging R&B artists coming out of the area.
LISTEN TO KENYON DIXON
WATCH SOCAL SOUL
Credits: Portraits by Ira Chernova. BTS by 70MM.
