Rising Music Star Ray Ramon On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The Music Industry – An Interview With Eden Gold
Embrace Your African Identity; It’s Your Unique Advantage.
Asa part of our interview series with leaders, stars, and rising stars in the music industry, we had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Ray Ramon.
Born in Lagos, Nigeria in 1978, Ray Ramon, whose birth name is Olusegun Ajibola Ramon, has carved a remarkable path in music. Relocating to Australia in 2002 and becoming an Australian citizen in 2006, Ray has made a significant impact on the dance music scene.
Renowned as a triple threat — singer, songwriter, and music producer — Ray Ramon has distinguished himself with electrifying tracks like “Turn It Up ’N’ Burn It Down,” “Dance All Night,” and “Make That Move.” His work blends 80s nostalgia with contemporary dance-pop, resonating in both vibrant club environments and radio playlists worldwide.
Inspired by the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, Ray’s musical style reflects a fusion of past and present influences. His international collaborations include notable figures such as DJ Dan Thomas from the UK, DJ Andromeda from House of Bass Power House, Diego Milesi of EVO Records Italy, and DJ Flaskman from the UK, showcasing his versatility across various musical contexts.
Ray’s dedication and talent have been recognized with numerous awards. He won Best Male Gospel Artist at the 2011 Afro/Australian Music and Movie Awards in Sydney. Subsequent accolades include Best Contemporary Christian Producer at the 2012 Indie Music Channel Awards in Hollywood for “I Had a Dream,” and Best R&B Video in 2013 for “Times.” His achievements continued with Best World Music Producer in 2014 for “Tenacity” featuring Spydaman, and Best Dance Act at the 2014 Afro/Australian Music & Movies Awards for “Falling For You.”
Ray’s impact in the dance music genre was further affirmed with Best Dance Song in 2015 for “Dance All Night,” and the Best Dance Single in 2018 for “Make That Move.” He was honored as Best Male Dance Artist at the 2019 Indie Music Channel Awards at the Grammy Museum for “Shake That Booty,” and continued his streak with the Best Male Dance Artist award in 2020, despite the pandemic’s challenges. His induction into the Indie Music Hall Of Fame in 2021 solidified his legacy.
Beyond his artistic achievements, Ray Ramon lives in Australia with his wife, Kirsten, and their five sons: Abiodun, Eligh, Levi, Cruz, and Zane. Known as “the hardest working man in showbiz,” as described by Mark the Shark, Music Director of Radio Express, USA, Ray’s journey remains a testament to his relentless dedication, creativity, and passion for music.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn a bit about your “origin story”. Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
Thank you for having me. My name is Olusegun Ramon, but most people know me as Ray Ramon. I was born on February 10, 1978, in Lagos, Nigeria. My passion for music began early; I remember singing in school recitals during my primary school years. This interest led me to join the church choir, where I enjoyed singing, even though it was a brief stint before heading off to boarding school.
Growing up in Nigeria, my love for singing wasn’t always encouraged. Many African parents, including mine, placed a high value on academic success and often envisioned their children becoming doctors, engineers, or professionals in similar fields. Pursuing a career in music or playing soccer, another passion of mine, was often frowned upon. Despite these challenges, my passion for music persisted, ultimately shaping the artist I am today.
What inspired you to pursue a career in music, and how did your journey begin?
As both my parents were workaholics, I often found myself at home with housemaids or older siblings looking after me and my younger siblings. One of my earliest and most vivid memories is being parked in front of the TV, watching Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and the making of “Thriller” on our VHS player. Despite being only five years old and finding some parts of it quite scary, I was completely captivated by the music and dancing. Michael Jackson’s performance sparked a passion within me, inspiring me to pursue a career in music. It was this early exposure to such an iconic artist that planted the seeds for my own musical journey.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
In 2008, I traveled to the UK to visit my sister in Dartford, Kent. During my stay, I visited Meopham and saw an ad that said, “Record here for 59 pounds.” Intrigued, I decided to check it out and met John Oram of the Oram Analogue Barn. Upon hearing my voice, John challenged me to write a song within 24 hours. I was to return the next day to record it with session musicians who would bring my thoughts and melodies to life. It was a mix of terror and excitement for me. John even played the drums on the track, which we titled “Leave Me Alone.” Remarkably, within 24 hours, the song was born, mastered, and sent to affiliate radio stations. This experience ignited my love for pop music and was a pivotal moment in my career.
It has been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
When I was first starting out, I attended the Indie Music Channel Awards at the House of Blues in Hollywood in 2006, where I won my second music award. During the event, I ended up talking to one of the singers from a group that had a hit song featured in the movie “Sister Act.” She seemed genuinely interested in getting to know me better, but I felt uncomfortable because my wife at the time, who is now my ex, was uneasy about it. As a result, I somewhat dismissed the singer, not realizing her significance. It wasn’t until I returned to the hotel room that I found out from the founder of the Indie Music Channel who she was and how important our conversation could have been. Lesson learned: always approach new connections with openness and respect, regardless of the circumstances. You never know who you might be talking to or what opportunities could arise from it.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
I thank God for the talent He’s given me to start with. I will always be eternally grateful to several key people who have helped me get to where I am today: my wife Kirsten, my sister Deola, and my music producer Dave Cherry. Kirsten has been an incredible support system, always going above and beyond to ensure that costumes and features were perfectly catered for. Her unwavering support and shared interest in my career have been invaluable. My sister Deola has been immensely generous, co-funding my projects and providing the financial backing needed to pursue my dreams. Lastly, Dave Cherry, my music producer, has played a crucial role in my success. He not only shared my vision but also translated it into relatable and impactful music. Their collective support, dedication, and belief in my talent have been instrumental in fueling, funding, and facilitating my music career.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
Currently, I’m working on several exciting projects. One of the most interesting is an international collaboration where I record my part and fuse it with an African-based artist in Nigeria to create soulful Afrobeat tracks, such as my newly released single “JEJE.” You can expect to hear another straight Afrobeat song from me before the end of the year. Additionally, I have a new track in the works that will feature Elisha once again, following the success of our earlier release, “You’ve Said Enough.” These collaborations allow me to blend my local dialect, Yoruba, into my songs, adding a rich cultural element that resonates deeply with me and bridges the gap between continents, bringing together diverse musical influences to create something truly unique.
We are very interested in diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers about why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in music, film, and television? How can that potentially affect our culture?
I believe diversity enriches storytelling, validates cultural identities and fuels creativity endlessly ultimately leading to a more inclusive and innovative society.
As a successful music star, you’ve likely faced challenges along the way. How do you stay motivated? How do you overcome obstacles in your career?
I stay motivated by focusing on solutions rather than dwelling on setbacks. Challenges are part of the journey, and maintaining a positive outlook helps me overcome obstacles. I prioritize staying focused and surrounding myself with supportive people, which helps me shift away from negativity and keep moving forward.
Multi-Award Winning Singer-Songwriter Ray Ramon to be inducted into Indie Music Hall of Fame (IMHOF) 2021
It’s with great honor to announce that on Sunday the 5th of September 2021, I will be officially inducted into the 2021 Indie Music Hall of Fame in Hollywood, USA.
***Plus 5 Music awards nominations for my song “What do you mean (feat. Morgan Mcelhone)” ***Sadly, as Australia is in a hard lockdown, I will not be attending this ceremony taking place at Hollywood’s largest independent studio “Sunset Gower Studios”.
I am however proud to be inducted and proud that my music continues to soar even during the pandemic and becoming the first Australian to be inducted at the Indie Music Hall of Fame is a great prestige.
“I’ll like to thank my wife, Kirsten Ramon, The Extended Ramon Family, my music producer Andromeda, my video producer Todd Davies, Jason Gossner, and my fans for their steadfast love and continued support”.
Ray Ramon records brand new song with Morgan McElhone
Australian local talent, Morgan Mcelhone teamed up with Ray on a brand new project to be produced by UK’s Dave Cherry aka Andromeda.
Morgan is a singer, dancer and model.
Here are some shots taken at The Grove Studios with the amazing house engineer, Izaac Wilson.
Watch this space!
