“My goal is to give listeners something they can ride to, chill to or get inspired by,” DJ Aktive says. “When people press play, I want them to feel like I’m taking them on a journey through the heart of R&B.” When asked to put together an exclusive mix for R&B Now, the West Philadelphia-hailing aficionado, who has spent time as official tour DJ for both Janet Jackson and Patti LaBelle, made sure to include voices like Mary J. Blige, Summer Walker, Jodeci, Chris Brown and Mariah the Scientist: stars from multiple eras united in their ability to put feelings to melody. “I treat it like storytelling,” Aktive says. “I want every transition to feel smooth, intentional and emotionally connected. I start by listening to what’s current—what’s moving the culture right now—but I also dig into the deeper cuts, the joints that might not be charting but still feel right.” From the alt vanguard to modern vets, straightforward to left-field, the tracks on the R&B Now DJ mix capture where R&B is now and point the way to where it’s going. Enjoy this set from DJ Aktive and check back for more one-of-a-kind mixes.
2 October 2025 27 songs, 59 minutes