Life & Work with Rebekah Ragland

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebekah Ragland.

Hi Rebekah, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m from Bowling Green, Kentucky. I attended Western Kentucky University and double majored in photojournalism and elementary education. College dropout after five years. I took a step into being an entrepreneur. I had started little businesses doing photography and making hair products (Organic Locs, Ethan Mae, LLC). In 2020, I then took a turn into the music industry and I started curating playlists. My number one playlist that’s a favorite of mine is, “Sucka for Samples” and “Sucka for Samples II”.

It’s a continuous playlist that features the original song followed by other versions of the same song sampled from other artists. I also curated an R&B Car Tune Series that features a more soulful side of the music that I enjoy. I then became an A&R and created Independent and Underground Volume Series. This series of playlists features independent artists who I find through social media or artists who submit their music to me.

I take the time to listen to each artist’s work, picking the songs that stick out to me the most; then strategically choosing the right songs to create the perfect flow, as if it was a collaborative album. Once the playlist is created and finished; I then have the access and ability to share their music through all platforms: Amazon Music, Apple Music, Deezer, Spotify, Tidal, YouTube, and YouTube Music.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been a challenge; I wasn’t sure what direction I was going to take with this. It’s easy to make a playlist with your favorite songs, but this was different. I have to find artists who share that similar sound that I’m looking for and find the right placements for their music so it will flow just like an in-studio album. It’s a challenge I don’t mind taking because the finished product sounds beautiful!

In the first year of independent and underground, I was dropping a playlist once a month consisting of 20 songs (usually 2 songs per artist). I would go through each artist’s catalog, choosing the top 3 songs that stuck out to me the most, then narrow it down from there; that right there was when the challenge started. It was hours and hours of listening to music submissions and getting all the links ready to drop every month.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m known for my vinyl collection, and traveling to different cities to find record stores to go crate digging in. I’m also known for curating my series of playlists: Independent and Underground, Sucka for Samples, and R&B Car Tunes.

I’m a freelance A&R, seeking new artists to feature on my playlists. I eventually want to work with a label or create my own label (AndrettiiBadu Records) to further along my abilities to help upcoming artists. Since taking piano lessons at a young age, it made me more interested in producing music as well. (I won’t say I’m a producer, I’m still in the beginning learning stages of it, but I do love to help other producers and collaborate with them).

I’m honestly proud of what I started and created, it’s helped me meet and network with many people! It has opened many doors and opportunities for me to advance into the music industry, and it’s only the beginning!

There are so many powerful and wonderful women in the music industry; mostly a singer, rappers, or producers. I’ve always been in front, and center stage while growing up, but it wasn’t until I got older that I realized that the true magic is what happens behind the scenes. It’s the process, the ideas, and the time you put into the craft that drew me in. My ears are truly a gift, and that is what sets me apart from others.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was the nerdy class clown while growing up; my mom had me into a little bit of everything when it came to extracurricular activities. She had signed me up for gymnastics when I was four. I started playing the piano by ear at a young age as well, so my mom had me take piano lessons, and also dance classes at Dance Arts.

I played the piano for 12 years and danced up to my junior year in high school. Dance Arts had a Performance Troupe team that I decided to join; we would travel and perform for different events in the surrounding areas. I had the opportunity to meet and dance for Athena Cage. I was also a sports photographer on the yearbook committee at my high school, (Bowling Green High School).

I grew up in the church, attending Rockfield Baptist Church; singing in the choir, dancing on the praise team, and occasionally playing the piano for the choir. I was very active in church! One summer, our church was invited to perform in Nashville, Tennessee; that’s when I got to meet Kirk Franklin and sing with him.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/andrettiibadu
• Instagram: @AndrettiiBadu
• Twitter: AndrettiiBadu
• Youtube: AndrettiiBadu

Image Credits
Darian Ray (@_xposemedia)