RAGZ ORIGINALE SHOWCASES HIS MOST LUXURIOUS BODY OF WORK YET WITH ‘SWEET NOTHINGS’

In this latest instalment, a worthy successor to ‘BARE SUGAR’, multifarious talent Ragz Originale gives new meaning to ‘Ragz’ to riches, as he paints an alluring picture of opulence, love and sex atop a metropolitan backdrop.

For any artist who’s core mission is to meld a rich spectrum of cultures, leap ahead of the fashion curve and experiment without boundaries, there’s fewer fitting locations than London. For Ragz Originale, who achieves all this, it’s London where he’s forged his addicting R&B output from production to finish, and where he’s collaborated with some of UK music's most prominent names, from the likes of Sampha and FKA Twigs to his legendary production credit on Skepta’s ‘Shutdown’. As an established producer and songwriter, Ragz Originale has created a distinctive and almost futuristic R&B sound that stems from his experience living between cultures. 

Across the last few years, Ragz has been building a strong fanbase around his luxurious beats and sensual melodies. However, it’s the London polymath’s sensitivity to fashion, arts and culture that provides another level of anticipation for his upcoming projects. Often with a seat at the revered Paris Fashion Week and dressed to the nines with an affinity for Telfar and Wales Bonner, Ragz originale transports this luxe outlook into every facet of his work, leading to clean cut visuals alongside his lavish releases. 

Upholding a meticulous level of visual and sonic intention, the London artist introduced ‘SWEET NOTHINGS’ with lead single ‘ice’. Here we saw Ragz beside rising dance artist BAMBII, head to toe in a sumptuous fur fit and iced out (literally); a truly decadent London don.

Having first originated as the deluxe version of its predecessor ‘BARE SUGAR’, this latest offering ‘SWEET NOTHINGS’ combines elements of soul, dance and electro, whereby Ragz continues to expand his classic R&B DNA. After teasing ‘ice’, a refreshing crossover of alternative R&B and electro, we were given ‘crossfire’, which sits in the first half of the album and firmly holds the top spot as a personal favourite.

Musically, ‘crossfire’ is rich and playful, sparkling with a soulful vocal backing and impeccably elevating the project from the get go. It’s a strong successor to the record’s opening track ‘i choose violence’, which unlike its title is tender and spacious, and sports a cherub-esque choir that soars in the production’s foreground. 

To some surprise, Ragz switches up the record’s suave and velvety tones on the third track ‘sho me’, enlisting the help of BAMBII and heavy-weight bass producer Karen Nyame KG. On this absorbing track we’re transported to the dark side of opulence. Images of a high speed car chase, wind in hair and police sirens, are hard to ignore on ‘sho me’. It’s here where we witness an honest juxtaposition of Ragz's homeland, with subtle traces of London’s underbelly woven throughout the album's sonics.

The first 9 minutes of ‘SWEET NOTHINGS’, which opens with an untraditional spectrum of sounds for Ragz, is a bold move for the multi-hyphenate artist. Yet, the glamourous aura from the first half precedes throughout the rest of the project. Tracks like ‘aura correct’, ‘back in paris’ and ‘send help’ bridge the record and with these tracks feeling like effortless creations from Ragz and very much heralding his signature sound. In tracks like ‘sexy riddim’, the experimentation rises once again where Ragz showcases his newfound choppy, club production that continue the album’s energetic ebbs and flows.

Although it’s hard to pinpoint what exactly differentiates Ragz Originale from the current pool of UK R&B acts, his distinction in our playlists is undeniable and addicting. Whether it's because of his humble yet masterful production, or the flair and confidence that radiates from his cadence, a project from Ragz Originale is a project well worth the listen. ‘SWEET NOTHINGS’ is no exception, as he continues to stand firmly and confidently with the identity he's created across his catalogue to date.