24th July, 2024
By Taiwo Okanlawon
Nigerian multi-talented music producer, Ikechukwu Clinton Nnaemeka, popularly known as Ragee, Ragee continues to prove his hot streak in 2023 was no fluke.
After working on Grammy-nominated Davido’s fourth album, “Timeless,” (Unavailable, Picasso) Ragee has not looked back.
Ragee started his music career as a rapper and songwriter, before transitioning to music production and he made his first mainstream debut when he produced Bad Boy Timz’s ‘Have Fun’ in 2020.
In a world grappling with various struggles and divisions, not much was happening following the success of ‘Have Fun’, Ragee left Nigeria for awhile but returned because for someone who is good with instruments such as piano, guitar, and saxophone, nothing else matters.
After his return, Ragee linked up with mega superstar, Davido and produced one of Afrobeats biggest songs of 2023 – Unavailable!
After birthing the resplendent anthem “Unavailable”, the song went on to become the most successful song off Davido’s ‘Timeless’ album. It was also nominated for Best African Music Performance at the 66th Grammy Awards, since then, Ragee became unstoppable!
Known in the industry with one of the most resonating taglines in Afrobeats culture today – “initiating rage process”, Ragee has developed a clinical approach to crafting hit records, with indelible marks on illustrious compositions such as Unavailable and Picasso off Davido’s Timeless album, Amapiano heavy tracks—Jogodo with the latest DMW signee, Logos Olori; Chocolate with Mavin Records artist, Magixx; club banger Shedibalabala with Jerry Shaffer; Run This Town with Toby Shang; Denge Pose with Dan Dizzy and Bad Boy Timz; Updated by Naira Marley and Toby Shang; to name but a few.
The multi-talented Afrobeats producer has continued to pull the weight of fame with his kind of sounds. Late last year, Ragee joined forces with Grammy-winning music producer Philip “Hardwerk” Constable to produce American singer Chris Brown’s latest single, “Sensational.”
“Sensational” is truly remarkable for its collaboration with two award-winning Nigerian artistes, Davido and Lojay. Philip “Hardwerk” Constable and Nigerian producer, Ragee’s expertise shines through in the flawless execution of the song’s captivating beats and melodies.
Without a doubt, the production of the song perfectly complements Chris Brown‘s exceptional songwriting abilities and artistic talent, and his performances, enhancing the ‘sensational’ experience for the fans.
This will be Ragee’s first international production since the beginning of his career. His journey into music production has evidently shown the power of consistency and hard work in perfecting one’s skill.
On January 30, 2024, “Sensational” debuted at number 96 on the US Billboard Hot 100, serving as Davido and Lojay’s first entry on the chart, and Ragee’s as a producer too. On February 20, 2024, the single re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 at 94. It currently sits at number 71.
In February, Sensational’s success reached a new peak with a prestigious platinum certification in South Africa, according to Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA) signifying the massive popularity and commercial dominance of the song in the country.
On March 11th, 2024, the song won the Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (contemporary) award at the 2024 NAACP Image Awards.
In 2024, he continued his fine form of producing bangers. He produced Mavin Records’ star girl, Ayra Starr hit single, ‘Commas’, and the dance track ‘Woman Commando’ featuring Anitta and Coco Jones off her sophomore album, ‘The Year I Turned 21’.
Ragee featured on Young Jonn’s debut album, ‘Jiggy Forever,’ producing two standout songs – ‘Stronger’, and ‘Shine Shine.’
Ragee is also credited for producing six out seven-track in ‘Olori’ EP, a debut project by DMW signee, Logos Olori. He also produced Ghanaian Afrobeat sensation King Promise’s first single of 2024, ‘Paris’.
Ragee, known for his creativity and poignant songwriting, is also responsible for many amazing songs buzzing the airwaves having worked closely with BOJ – one of the pioneers of Alté music, produced 3 songs in his 12 Summers album released on the 25th of July 2024. He has also worked with Falz, Adekunle Gold, L.A.X, Crayon, Rema among others.
Ragee has dominated 2024 and is going to finish the year strong with more hot tunes.
