Sloan Mitchell - Attending a Performance: Kaytranada Concert (2-3 Points)
Typically, in the music industry, Black people are faced with being typecast as only being rap and R&B artists, who continue to put out the same kinds of music. That is not necessarily true for all artists. Consider André 3000, who released his flute-centered album, New Blue Sun, in 2023, sending shockwaves through the music community that had been anticipating another rap project. By doing so, he broke away from the expectations placed on Black artists and disrupted the cycle of being confined to a single genre. Similarly, Beyoncé’s 2024 studio album Cowboy Carter redefined what country music means within the Black community, reclaiming the genre as a space that is not exclusively dominated by white artists.
Kaytranda is among them, with his dance, house, and electronic sound. Despite this, he is often categorized solely as an R&B artist, a label that fails to fully capture the complexity of his musical style.
In November, my best friend and I got a chance to experience his concert. It was my first time seeing him, as I don’t listen to him nearly as much as my friend. Even so, the entire time I felt as though I was levitating through the music. The sounds and vibrant lights pulled me out of my seat, dancing alongside the people around me. It was a beautiful experience that transcended the artist’s identity or who was in the room. Instead, it became a shared space where everyone was free to dance and experience the music in a new and collective way.
In the new year, I plan to attend more concerts with her and get out of my comfort zone with artists. To break the narrative that Black people belong to only one genre, we as listeners must actively support those who are already pushing beyond these limitations and expanding the boundaries of their sound.
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