19th April, 2023
If you’ve ever wondered who’s the maestro behind Davido’s “Unavailable”, a record-breaking hit song off “Timeless” album, look no further than Ragee!
The Nigerian producer who has been making a name for himself over the past few years, made his first mainstream debut when he produced Bad Boy Timz’s ‘Have Fun’ in 2020 and his signature tune ‘…initiating rage process’ became known but the man behind the hit wasn’t known.
This year, Ragee whose real name is Ikechukwu Clinton Nnaemeka made a breakthrough to mainstream with production credits of two songs on Davido’s 4th album, “Unavailable” and “Picasso” featuring Logos.
In this interview with Taiwo Okanlawon, Ragee breaks down his journey in the music industry, how he started as a rapper before transitioning to music production, working with Davido, Magicsticks, and Logos, among other issues.
Obviously, you are one of biggest producers out of Africa this 2023, what is the next thing as a producer?
For 2023, the plan is to keep making more hits, it is going to be hits after hits, and people should watch out of Rage.
You are also a songwriter, which process do you prefer, songwriting or producing?
I actually started as a rapper and songwriter but right now, I enjoy producing because that is what brings in the bar. So as an Igbo man, you need to focus.
If there is an offer to write, will you still write songs?
Yes, definitely.
Tell us a bit about your background.
I’m from Anambra State, but I was born and raised in Lagos State. I went to Lagos State Polytechnic in Ikorodu where I studied Political Science.
How did you get into production?
Then, when I used to be a rapper, I was always in the studio, and back then, Magicsticks was my producer. So I usually see what they are doing in the studio, making beats and subconsciously, I was learning. At some point, paying producers was really expensive so the bills were too much for me. So I thought of doing it myself. I just felt like doing beats casually and somebody just posted on Snapchat, the guy just came back from Dubai and he said he needed a producer. I wasn’t that good, I was still in my learning process. But I had my confidence and just sent a message to him that I can do beat. The guy then told me to meet him up at Eko Hotels. I just went there with Kayode my friend who is also an artist. I didn’t have my own speakers but Kayoye has. Kayode was good at recording then but I was only focused on making beats. We went together so I made the beat. Even though I was scared about it. I still wrote the song again for the guy.
I was just going the staircase and they transferred 100k to me. I was like wow, I went straight to buy headphones and I was doing the beats on my headphones. Sometimes, my friends will make jest of me that the beat sounds like ice cream carrier sound. It was still part of what encouraged me. I was encouraged and learnt alot by playing drums in the church, I play drums. If you hear my beats, you will notice drums.
What year did you start producing?
I have actually been producing since 2015 but not like producing like a professional. I just play with stuffs and all. The story I just narrated happened in 2016 or 2017.
Since you said you sing, should we be expecting a project from you?
For now, just enjoy the producer part of me. I am just getting started, or are you tired already?
How did you meet Davido?
I met Davido through my friend Magicsticks. Magic was already out there popping, and he just hit me up, and told me Baddest wants a beat. Magic also added to the beat then we sent the song to Davido and then we made history.
How did you meet Badboy Timz?
I met Badboy Timz at the Mainland Block Party and I just spoke with him. I told him I am music producer and we exchanged contacts and then I sent him a couple of beats. But we didn’t really click then until a year later, he pulled up at my studio and I played him that “Have Fun” beat, I just went inside and when I came back and he has already recorded the hit song. He went on live video and everyone was going mad on the song. He is actually like the first major artist that I produced for.
From this story now, what would you say about the importance of networking?
For me, it goes a long way because you need to know how to network and relate with people. I really know how to vibe with people. When I see people, I know how to advertise my brand. You have to market yourself and most importantly be humble when addressing people. At the end of the day, connection is what matters very well. You can meet somebody and both of you do not catch each other vibes yet you can still try to work. I feel that connection is very important, having a good rapport with artists so that when you are making music it’s fun and it’s not really serious like you want to work.
As a producer, when do you know you have Smash?
At the end of the day, I feel like it’s a 50/50 thing because that particular ‘Have Fun’ beat was not the one that I really enjoy. I just did it, I knew it is just one of those beats but when the artist came, he was like, wow this beat is bad. And sometimes you can actually have a beat that is mad like a beat of the beat. When you are recording with a good melody, hook and other necessary things, you are in the studio and you will feel everything. So the way you are feeling, you are imagining the way other people are feeling too about that same record. At that point you know it’s a hit. But at times you can be disappointed because you don’t know a hit until it’s out. The one you least expected can just fly.
Which one comes to you first, writing a song or producing a beat?
Producing a beat comes to me first. Sometimes when I make a beat, I record on it first by myself and I listen to it and from what I have recorded, I get more ideas to add to the beat.
What’s your work process, how many beats do you make per week?
Not to exaggerate, I make like up to five to seven beats per week. Inside that five beats, there will still be one that is special and there are the ones that are just normal beats.
How did you get into music?
As I said before, I have a music background and I was in the choir, I was a drummer and in fact, my major instrument was the drum. I use drums a lot, and I also sing. When I was in secondary school then, I used to sing. I also like to sing like IK Dairo. I love that “Angel of My Life” song. I feel like all these things carved me and put me in the music industry right now.
Who are your influences?
I really don’t have any influences in particular because I listen to all genres of music and I get inspirations from them all.
When you are not making music, what do you do?
I play FIFA, beat my boys including my manager lol. I also enjoy traveling and I love to flex.
What are some interesting things about you that people don’t know?
Good or bad ? Lol, I think I’m funny.
How would you say Magicsticks has influenced you?
Magicsticks has influenced me a lot. If I would say that I learnt, I learnt a lot from Magic. In terms of how he makes his drums because he is a drummer. Also in terms of him being focused, he is the type of person that I know that if he wants to get something, he is going to get it. I have learnt a lot from him. Shout out to Magicsticks.
What are the challenges?
At a time, I got tired because nobody knows me. I was just underground. At some point, I almost gave up and that was when I already produced for Bad Boy TimZ. I thought from Bad Boy Timz production, I would go up but nobody knew me, they just know the signature ‘…initiating rage process’. I had to rest, I went on a break. I went to Dubia.
I was in Dubai with Logos, sometimes we will be in the club and we will be hearing about our friend’s production (Magic). Magicsticks was everywhere, so I felt like, I need to go back to Naija. Then I came back to Naija, and we are here today.
You have worked with Logos, how was the production process like?
Logos is a fantastic artist, a magician, and I have known him for like 9 to 10 years. I met Logos and Magic at the same time. Logos is one artist that doesn’t stress you. Working with Logos is amazing, he is a very good songwriter, and he knows what he wants to do.
What’s your advice for upcoming artists and producers?
My best advice to upcoming talents in the industry is that they should master their craft so that when opportunities come, they will be prepared. Success is when opportunity meets preparation, so you have to be prepared and ready and you have to also believe in yourself. Rome was not built in a day, just master your craft.