What is your name and what city do you rep?
I go by the name, RAF. R.G.N is the brand, and the movement. Rise Grind and Nurture, that’s what we stand on at R.G.N. I gotta also show love to the cities that showed me love and shaped my mind to who I am today. Lagos, Edmonton, Toronto, and New York, but New York definitely is, home base.
Tell us about your latest releases, what inspired you to create them?
My latest release “Alright” was inspired by my life, my struggles, and just everyday struggles we go through as people, both individually and as a collective. Times over and over, we get lost in the space of problems, worries, distractions, fears, that often elevate our anxiety. I am just here as a bringer of good news to remind myself and everyone that it is all going to be alright. Ain’t nothing new under the sun, so while it’s still out, let’s forget about the heat and go for a run. Everything will forever only get better.
What is unique about you and your music?
I believe what is unique about my style and music is just the cultural blend. My released catalog isn’t so deep, but going through my vaults, and understanding how my music has been fused with all the culture I have been exposed to, I am able to craft art that I believe connects all people together.
What shaped your music?
My experiences in life shaped my music. As I go on further releasing more music, people will be able to see the art of storytelling I am trying to bring back to life in music. All realistic experiences that I have gone through that I have managed to infuse in my music so people can not only sing along to but relate with as well.
When did you realize you were going to make music professionally?
It wasn’t until about 3 years ago that I decided to take music more seriously. Although about 5 years ago, I stepped into a professional studio for the first time, and I was taking aback by the whole experiencing. From the making of the beats to the recording of the vocals, to the mixing of the vocals and then blending of the sounds. How everything came together was truly magical for me. Since I was a kid, I always had an ear for music and understanding music deeper than just surface level, but that studio experience definitely made me say, “Yep, Imma be doing this someday for the rest of my life.”
What type of music do you listen to?
I’m heavy on the Afro Beats, Hip Hop and R&B, but as a student of the game, I love soul music, alternative too, even open my ears to some country and so many more genres. I refuse to close my ears to different genres of music because I feel I can gain experience and learn so much from these other types of music.
What inspires you to write music?
To me, music is an outlet. I am an outspoken person, but sometimes, there are things that weigh on my chest that I would rather not blurt out. So I would put these things on songs, let people understand how I feel, and hopefully, they can relate to. I make music for me, I make music I love, I don’t do it for no one else. Yes, I do have several inspirations in the music world, but I am not making music to chase crowd recognition. The love I get from people who relate to me is all organic and I feel truly blessed because that means I have authentic fans that will truly ride for my music through thick and thin.
What do you do when you don’t do music (creative or otherwise) and that you are passionate about?
I’m big on sports. Football, soccer. I played and I watch. Always thought if not music, it would be one of those, but things have a way of working themselves out.
What do you wish you were told when you first started making music that you think would help artists just starting out?
As much as you focus on finetuning your craft, focus on getting your work out there, marketing. Invest in yourself. Especially as an independent artist. The music game isn’t as easy as people thinks and just like any business you want to see flourish, you must be willing to invest into yourself as an artist.
Tell us about your upcoming projects…
A little sneak peak I have for the people is that I have a joint mixtape coming real soon, stay tuned! Definitely a body of work I am most proud of. Got an opportunity to work with great people and make great music.
Any last words for the readers?
Watch out for me, I’m going to keep on everybody’s necks till the whole world feel me! I’m not letting up. Stay blessed!
Connect with R.G.N RAF on social media for updates on new music, videos, and more; @rgnraf
