Mi Tea + R&B
Mi Tea Lounge
April 24, 2024
Hip-hop’s dominance on Tulsa’s airwaves and stages has inadvertently created a void for R&B lovers. And where there’s a void, there’s opportunity. This is exactly what artists GOLDIELXCS and Emani saw when they created Mi Tea + R&B, a bimonthly women-focused open mic night held at the Mi Tea lounge in downtown Tulsa, owned and operated by vocalist Tea Rush.
What makes this particular open mic night work is a blend of choice ingredients, starting with its clear core mission: to create a space for women vocalists to perform, with R&B being the catalyst rather than having to take a back seat to other genres like hip-hop. Another element in its success is the partnership of Tulsa Creative Engine and Tulsa Remote, which has brought new talent and audience-goers to Tulsa, while also helping them to blend into the city’s rich and diverse culture. Last but certainly not least are the accompanying band members— Bobby “Black Keys” Moffett Jr. on the piano, Caleb Mendoza on guitar and Marcus James on drums — who are able to pick up a song and recreate it within seconds as if they wrote it.
On this night, patrons funneled in the front door of the spacious lounge, some settling upstairs, everyone with a cup of tea. One of the perks of attending is the free tea, which is delicious any night of the week, but the flavors really come to life when accompanied with good music. Host Tai Nehisi’s outspoken personality was on full display as she danced, sang, and told a few jokes. She kept the crowd calm even as the building’s smoke alarms went off, riffing that that’s just how good the singers were that night.
What’s magical about an open mic night is that you never know who you’re sitting next to. The quietest person in the room can blow you away, such as Keanna Maringa, who started off nervous but finished with a smile after an amazing performance of Bobby Caldwell’s “What You Won’t Do for Love.” On the flip side, there were artists who had everyone’s attention from the moment they walked through the door. Akasha Landry hit the stage with all eyes focused on her. Her performance was expressive and passionate, and most of all, she could sing as if she were in Rihanna’s “Love On The Brain” video.
Even though this is a female vocalist-centered event, male vocalists do have the opportunity to perform, and on this night we saw a few of them get on the mic. A Texas transplant who goes by the name of Chris Chris performed Daniel Caesar and H.E.R.‘s “Best Part.” Another singer was just as mysterious on the stage as he was on the sign-up sheet. He left only his first name, Malcolm, but his voice left an impression that resonated through the crowd with his cover of Norman Whitfield’s “I’m Going Down.”
By the end of the night, my glass was empty but my spirits were full. Who would’ve thought that tea and live music would be the perfect combination? Both need the same ingredients: pure substance and time to brew. Mi Tea + R&B stands out as a place for R&B vocalists to shine bright with songs that are as flavorful and diverse as the tea.
Mi Tea + R&B will return on June 26. Next at Mi Tea Lounge: Tempo & Tea, May 20.
