If you haven’t been keeping up with Ragan Whiteside, you are missing out on one of the most refreshing sounds in the game right now. As we lean into March and celebrate Women’s History Month, Ragan is the perfect example of a modern day icon who gives us all those nostalgic HypeHair vibes with a futuristic twist. She isn’t just a musician; she is a captivating flutist, a gifted voiceover artist, and a total chart topper who is currently making major waves on the Billboard charts. Watching her command the stage with her flute is a reminder that being “unique” is actually a superpower, and she does it with a level of grace and grit that is honestly infectious.

Ragan’s story is the definition of “stepping out” on faith and talent. For over twenty years, she balanced a successful career in software development with her love for music, but she recently decided to dive headfirst into her passion full time. That leap of faith has clearly paid off because she has become a dominant force in the contemporary jazz scene, landing nine consecutive Top Ten Billboard airplay singles! Whether she is releasing hits like “Fancy Footwork” or the high energy “Steppin’ Out,” Ragan is proving that the flute belongs at the front and center of contemporary soul jazz. Her ability to blend funk, R&B, and jazz into one “boom bap” inspired sound is why she stays at the top of the charts.

Can we also talk about the look? Ragan brings a sense of style that feels like a beautiful throwback to the golden era of hair magazines while still feeling completely current. Her hair is always a statement, often rocking voluminous textures and bold styles that perfectly complement her vibrant personality. Between her Billboard #1 hits and her popular radio show, “Saturday with Ragan Whiteside,” she is out here proving that Black women are not a monolith—we are classically trained, we are tech savvy, and we are soulful as ever. Ragan isn’t just playing music; she is creating a high vibrational experience that leaves us all feeling a little lighter and a lot more inspired.

Hype Hair: Your style feels both modern and nostalgic, reminiscent of classic HypeHair-era beauty and Black glamour. How intentional is your visual aesthetic, and what inspires your hair and beauty choices? 

Ragan Whiteside: Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved a glamorous aesthetic — the more sparkle, the better. Being able to pair that with my bold, artsy side gives me the freedom to express myself without saying a word. Truth be told, getting glammed up and wearing art is one of my favorite parts of being a performing artist. For me, glamour is just another instrument in the performance. It’s another form of storytelling before I even play the first note. 

HH: As a woman topping the Billboard charts with two singles in the same week, what does this moment mean to you, especially during Women’s History Month? 

RW: I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to succeed, and I don’t take this moment lightly. I’m standing on the shoulders of incredible women who came before me — artists, mothers, leaders, and dreamers — and I hope to be that shoulder for the next generation. Having a moment like this during Women’s History Month makes it even more meaningful — it’s a reminder that progress happens when each generation pushes the door open a little wider. 

HH: Your presence is powerful before you even play a note. How does your hair and overall image contribute to your confidence and performance as a flutist? 

RW: When you feel beautiful, it radiates from you with every step you take. It gives you an extra boost of energy and confidence to be bold on stage. When you’re comfortable and confident in your own skin, you’re free to focus on the music and the moment.

HH: The flute is not always the first instrument people associate with mainstream chart success. How have you carved out space for yourself in an industry that does not always spotlight women instrumentalists? 

RW: Consistency and persistence have been my “magic formula.” Staying true to myself, putting in the work even when it feels futile, and being willing to pivot when necessary have all been key. When I first came on the scene, the flute wasn’t really being played on radio at all. Over time, audiences proved they were ready to hear something different, and moments like seeing flute-driven music land on Billboard charts remind me how far instrumental music has come. 

My goal has always been to show that the flute can lead the conversation, not just accompany it. Today there are more opportunities, and I’m proud to be part of helping carve out that lane so instrumental music continues to thrive.

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

RW: The more I evolve and discover who I am, the more it shows up in both my style and my music. When I released my first album, I was in my “single, no-kids” era. Today, six albums later, I’m in my “wife and mom of two” era. That journey changes everything — your priorities, your perspective, even your beauty routine. Now it’s things like, How can I look put together with minimal effort? or How can I look like I slept eight hours when I only got two? All of those real-life experiences eventually find their way into the music. 

HH: As both an award-winning flutist and voiceover artist, you have mastered sound in multiple forms. Do you approach visual branding differently for each side of your career, or is it all one cohesive expression of who you are? 

RW: I approach it as one cohesive expression. In today’s world of multi-hyphenates, the need to visually separate every lane has really diminished. For entrepreneurs and creatives, that’s actually a gift because you can focus on growing one strong brand instead of dividing your attention across multiple identities. 

HH: Women in music often face pressure to fit certain molds. Have you ever felt the need to adjust or amplify parts of your style or personality to navigate the industry?

RW: Have I had to play the game? Of course. Sometimes you have to tone things down, and sometimes you have to turn things up. But even while navigating the game, I never lose sight of who I am. I refuse to shrink, and I refuse to hide.

HH: For young women watching you top the Billboard charts right now, especially those interested in instrumental music, what would you want them to know about owning their uniqueness and showing up fully as themselves? 

RW: There will always be others doing the same thing you do. The difference is—they are not you. Just like fingerprints, every artist is completely unique. No one will feel or interpret music the exact way you do. In this AI age, your uniqueness is your superpower. Lean into it — your difference is the very thing that makes you unforgettable.