By Demetria Johnson
True R&B doesn’t beg for attention, it commands stillness. That was the prevailing energy inside Paramount Recording Studios as multi-platinum producer and songwriter Camper hosted an intimate VIP listening experience for his forthcoming debut album, Campilation, arriving January 23.
The evening wasn’t built around spectacle, but around reverence for the music, the lineage, and the moment. From the moment guests arrived, Camper set the tone with intention. The studio space was transformed into a visually immersive gallery, bringing the album’s artwork to life through a Mona Lisa-esque installation that felt more museum than industry mixer. Paired with soul food, custom branded cocktails, and a carefully curated guest list, the atmosphere mirrored the music itself: intimate, layered, and deeply emotional.
The room reflected Camper’s quiet influence across generations of R&B. Victoria Monét, Lucky Daye, Dixson, and rising artists Alex Vaughn and Rose Gold mingled with industry executives and tastemakers, not to be seen but to listen. That distinction mattered.
And when the music began, the room leaned in.
ALL PHOTOS CREDIT: Jen J Photos
One of the most powerful moments of the evening came with the unmistakable presence of Stevie Wonder. Hearing his magic woven into Campilation in such an intimate setting was nothing short of awe-inducing. His contribution didn’t feel ceremonial or nostalgic. It felt alive, purposeful, and deeply rooted in the emotional core of the project. It was a reminder of R&B’s lineage, and of what happens when a legend’s brilliance is honored with care rather than overstatement.
Equally striking was the creative chemistry between Victoria Monét and Camper, a musical match made in R&B heaven. Their collaboration feels effortless yet elevated, balancing vulnerability, confidence, and groove in a way that feels timeless. It’s the sound of two artists speaking the same emotional language, trusting each other enough to let the music breathe.
Throughout the listening session, additional collaborations with Brandy, Lucky Daye, Ari Lennox, and others underscored Camper’s rare ability to curate without overshadowing. Each voice felt distinct, yet fully at home within the world he’s created. The current single, “Ooh Wee” featuring Jill Scott and Ty Dolla $ign, resonated instantly, emerging as a room favorite and sparking that quiet, collective recognition that a record has landed exactly where it should.
Peers and insiders have already begun referring to Camper as the “DJ Khaled of R&B,” but Campilation is far more intimate than the comparison implies. This is not a project built on volume or hype—it’s built on taste, trust, and a deep understanding of the genre’s past and future. Camper isn’t assembling names; he’s curating a sonic ecosystem grounded in soul and forward momentum.
Though the year has only just begun, early buzz is already positioning Campilation as a serious R&B Album of the Year contender. After experiencing it in this setting, that sentiment feels earned.
The evening made one thing abundantly clear: Campilation is not simply an album..it’s a cultural statement. And with it, Camper steps confidently into a new era, not just as a producer behind the scenes, but as one of R&B’s most influential architects, helping guide the genre back to its emotional center.
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