In an era where music often favors repetition over risk, Raytheboffin emerges as a bold outlier — a sonic architect and emotional provocateur who is unafraid to tell the truth. His new LP, “You Make Me Feel,” isn’t just an album; it’s a deeply personal statement.
Rich in experimentation and unapologetic in tone, the project positions Ray not only as a producer but as a fully realized artist.
A Fearless Blend of Sound
“You Make Me Feel” draws its foundation from Alté, but Ray doesn’t stop there. The project boldly fuses Afro-fusion, Jersey Club, Amapiano, and House into a forward-thinking sonic palette that reflects the artist’s experimental core. It’s a natural progression from his last project, “Run Boy, Run,” and one that further showcases his evolution.
The album opens with its title track, “you make me feel,” a danceable and dreamy number that channels the spirit of an ’80s disco floor. Ray calls out to a love interest, inviting vulnerability — but only if they can keep things between the two of them.
The features on the project are carefully curated, and Ray draws from some of Abuja’s most progressive voices. On “cold summer,” Sinachi’s silky delivery is met with a refined verse from Sute Iwar. The track captures the frustrations of unfulfilled romantic desire in a city that doesn’t always reward softness.
“Throw me around” features the enchanting vocals of Inçi, who spars with Ray in a lovers’ dialogue over who’s really in control. Jess ETA takes center stage on “all your toys,” holding nothing back as he calls out emotional manipulation with the biting line: “You have all your toys, but you choose to play with my heart.” The emotional honesty hits hard.
Ray leans fully into experimentation with “interplanetary,” a hypnotic and otherworldly track that feels like floating through space — or maybe just through a crowded, dimly-lit club. “Freak” lives up to its name, dripping with sensual energy, and Mca$h rides the beat effortlessly.
On “offering,” Ray and July Drama bring a delicate balance of softness and swagger. July’s baritone and Ray’s whispery vocals create a captivating contrast, as they promise to show their worth to someone special.
“Iron sight” sees DAP The Contract, Iver Rivers, and Tim Lyre trading electric verses. Tim steals the show with a multilingual blend of Yoruba and Spanish: “Vamos. Andale. Se tori mi lo se sa wa’le.” A question layered in desire and mischief.
“In my head” reveals a more vulnerable Ray, caught between craving attention and maintaining pride. The mood shifts on “what you think this is?” where Ayüü joins in for a declaration of self-worth and confidence, full of chest-thumping energy and swagger.
Love, Loss, and Lived Truths
The album’s final stretch leans into raw emotion and deep introspection. On “burn my shit,” Ray and Webmoms lay it all out — a ballad for anyone who’s ever loved too hard. Whether the title is literal or symbolic, the pain is palpable.
“Bad ass” slows the tempo, and Adrian Dzvuke joins Ray for a track full of slick talk and assured energy. “You don’t” offers a solemn duet with Iver Rivers, telling the story of a one-sided love. “Say you love me die, but you don’t” — a simple line that hits like a gut punch.
The project ends with “currency,” a sobering reflection on love in a transactional society. A female voice-over shares her experience while Ray lays it bare: she wants his money, he wants her body — and no one is hiding it. It’s the final truth in an album full of them.
Final Thoughts
Over the course of 14 tracks and just under 40 minutes, Raytheboffin delivers a deeply immersive experience — one filled with heartbreak, reflection, desire, and emotional evolution. In a year where many Nigerian projects have felt creatively stagnant, “You Make Me Feel” is a breath of fresh air.
This is not just a well-produced album; it’s a coming-of-age narrative told through experimental sounds and fearless honesty. Raytheboffin shows us that while love might be complicated, music doesn’t have to be — not when it’s this real.
“You Make Me Feel” is one of the most emotionally resonant and sonically adventurous Nigerian albums of the year. And perhaps most importantly, it does exactly what it set out to do — it makes you feel.
Listen to “You Make Me Feel” Here
