Ragan Whiteside: The Billboard Chart Topping Flutist Dominating the Scene

In the event you haven’t been maintaining with Ragan Whiteside, you might be lacking out on probably the most refreshing sounds within the sport proper now. As we lean into March and rejoice Girls’s Historical past Month, Ragan is the proper instance of a modern-day icon who provides us all these nostalgic HypeHair vibes with a futuristic twist. She isn’t only a musician; she is a fascinating flutist, a gifted voiceover artist, and a complete chart topper who’s presently making main waves on the Billboard charts. Watching her command the stage along with her flute is a reminder that being “distinctive” is definitely a superpower, and he or she does it with a stage of grace and grit that’s truthfully infectious.

Ragan’s story is the definition of “stepping out” on religion and expertise. For over twenty years, she balanced a profitable profession in software program growth along with her love for music, however she just lately determined to dive headfirst into her ardour full time. That leap of religion has clearly paid off as a result of she has change into a dominant power within the up to date jazz scene, touchdown 9 consecutive Prime Ten Billboard airplay singles! Whether or not she is releasing hits like “Fancy Footwork” or the excessive power “Steppin’ Out,” Ragan is proving that the flute belongs on the entrance and heart of latest soul jazz. Her capacity to mix funk, R&B, and jazz into one “growth bap” impressed sound is why she stays on the high of the charts.

Can we additionally discuss in regards to the look? Ragan brings a way of fashion that appears like a gorgeous throwback to the golden period of hair magazines whereas nonetheless feeling fully present. Her hair is at all times a press release, typically rocking voluminous textures and daring kinds that completely complement her vibrant character. Between her Billboard #1 hits and her in style radio present, “Saturday with Ragan Whiteside,” she is out right here proving that Black girls should not a monolith—we’re classically skilled, we’re tech savvy, and we’re soulful as ever. Ragan isn’t simply taking part in music; she is making a excessive vibrational expertise that leaves us all feeling just a little lighter and much more impressed.

Hype Hair: Your type feels each trendy and nostalgic, harking back to basic HypeHair-era magnificence and Black glamour. How intentional is your visible aesthetic, and what evokes your hair and sweetness selections? 

Ragan Whiteside: Ever since I used to be a child, I’ve beloved a glamorous aesthetic — the extra sparkle, the higher. Having the ability to pair that with my daring, artsy aspect provides me the liberty to specific myself with out saying a phrase. Reality be informed, getting glammed up and carrying artwork is one among my favourite components of being a performing artist. For me, glamour is simply one other instrument within the efficiency. It’s one other type of storytelling earlier than I even play the primary word. 

HH: As a girl topping the Billboard charts with two singles in the identical week, what does this second imply to you, particularly throughout Girls’s Historical past Month? 

RW: I’m extremely grateful for the chance to succeed, and I don’t take this second flippantly. I’m standing on the shoulders of unbelievable girls who got here earlier than me — artists, moms, leaders, and dreamers — and I hope to be that shoulder for the subsequent technology. Having a second like this throughout Girls’s Historical past Month makes it much more significant — it’s a reminder that progress occurs when every technology pushes the door open just a little wider. 

HH: Your presence is highly effective earlier than you even play a word. How does your hair and total picture contribute to your confidence and efficiency as a flutist? 

RW: While you really feel lovely, it radiates from you with each step you’re taking. It provides you an additional increase of power and confidence to be daring on stage. While you’re snug and assured in your individual pores and skin, you’re free to give attention to the music and the second.

HH: The flute is just not at all times the primary instrument folks affiliate with mainstream chart success. How have you ever carved out house for your self in an business that doesn’t at all times highlight girls instrumentalists? 

RW: Consistency and persistence have been my “magic components.” Staying true to myself, placing within the work even when it feels futile, and being keen to pivot when essential have all been key. After I first got here on the scene, the flute wasn’t actually being performed on radio in any respect. Over time, audiences proved they have been prepared to listen to one thing completely different, and moments like seeing flute-driven music land on Billboard charts remind me how far instrumental music has come. 

My aim has at all times been to indicate that the flute can lead the dialog, not simply accompany it. Right now there are extra alternatives, and I’m proud to be a part of serving to carve out that lane so instrumental music continues to thrive.

HH: Your look feels elevated but approachable. How has your magnificence evolution paralleled your musical journey? 

RW: The extra I evolve and uncover who I’m, the extra it exhibits up in each my type and my music. After I launched my first album, I used to be in my “single, no-kids” period. Right now, six albums later, I’m in my “spouse and mother of two” period. That journey adjustments every part — your priorities, your perspective, even your magnificence routine. Now it’s issues like, How can I look put along with minimal effort? or How can I appear like I slept eight hours after I solely bought two? All of these real-life experiences ultimately discover their method into the music. 

HH: As each an award-winning flutist and voiceover artist, you’ve mastered sound in a number of varieties. Do you method visible branding in a different way for either side of your profession, or is all of it one cohesive expression of who you might be? 

RW: I method it as one cohesive expression. In at the moment’s world of multi-hyphenates, the necessity to visually separate each lane has actually diminished. For entrepreneurs and creatives, that’s truly a present as a result of you’ll be able to give attention to rising one robust model as an alternative of dividing your consideration throughout a number of identities. 

HH: Girls in music typically face strain to suit sure molds. Have you ever ever felt the necessity to modify or amplify components of your type or character to navigate the business?

RW: Have I needed to play the sport? In fact. Generally it’s important to tone issues down, and typically it’s important to flip issues up. However even whereas navigating the sport, I by no means lose sight of who I’m. I refuse to shrink, and I refuse to cover.

HH: For younger girls watching you high the Billboard charts proper now, particularly these enthusiastic about instrumental music, what would you need them to learn about proudly owning their uniqueness and exhibiting up absolutely as themselves? 

RW: There’ll at all times be others doing the identical factor you do. The distinction is—they don’t seem to be you. Similar to fingerprints, each artist is totally distinctive. Nobody will really feel or interpret music the precise method you do. On this AI age, your uniqueness is your superpower. Lean into it — your distinction is the very factor that makes you unforgettable.