With a passion for singing that started when she was just three years old, Kenyan singer-songwriter Nikita Kering found her R&B footing early in life, and she credits her sonic influences as not only inspiring her own musical choices, but also in shaping her sense of self. Her Soul September playlist features the work of artists she grew up listening to, including Kelly Rowland, Rihanna, Chloe x Halle, Jazmine Sullivan, and Bruno Mars. “I chose these songs because they all ooze confidence in their own way, which is a big part of who I am,” she tells Apple Music. “They are also a healthy balance between the elements of ‘throwback’ R&B and modern, trap vibes.”