Ry-Jean Valks

Ry-Jean Valks is the founder and CEO of Mandela Records and the creative force working under the producer name RayNoize. Originally from Curaçao, he approaches the label as a long-term music and artist-development company in which human imagination and technological capability reinforce one another.

His role brings together artistic strategy, the design of distinctive digital performers, musical direction, production decisions, brand development and the broader identity of the label. He develops artist concepts that can sustain their own genres, languages, vocal signatures and narratives across releases.

His vision is based on a simple principle: technology can expand what a producer can create, but it does not replace artistic judgment. Through Mandela Records he is developing a diverse international roster spanning bachata, kizomba, dembow, Afrobeats, neo-soul, gospel, J-pop and Dutch pop, with creativity, originality and long-term quality as the organizing principles.