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Welcome to our third HelloHandsome post, where we profile deserving young men – men on the rise and men on our radar!

Not many artists can say that they were signed after a single session. Much less have the opportunity to say that said management company was founded by the anomaly that is Jay-Z. And even after confessing that feat, it isn’t likely that that same artist would’ve spent his pre-teen years learning the alto-sax at the Hartford Conservatory and years later be accepting an ASCAP award for writing one of the top-played songs of 2009. But RocNation’s newest signee RANGE is just that, and has done all that.

Of his immediate signing, the Philadelphia-born 24-year-old singer/songwriter/producer says, “There was a bit of shock to it, but it’s what I’d been working for.”

The diligence did not go unnoticed. Coming out from behind the shadows of Jamie Foxx, T-Pain, and Ludacris (who he penned the winning “One More Drink” tune with), Range is working on his debut album, No Strings. And you can expect just that: no extra noise, no bells and whistles. While his first song “Ghetto Dance” may feature a collabo with Rick Ross, Range says that, for now, the album will be “just me, so I can let the fans get to know me, and appreciate me.” We’re ready.

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The word “ghetto” has a certain stigma attached to it. Were you nervous about naming your very first single that and, ultimately, being introduced to the public that way?

No. It doesn’t mean anything negative to me. It was just about all the different places in the world and the creative energy that comes from these places and the type of dances that they make up – the ones you see from New Orleans and Florida to New York and Connecticut. I’m just talking about that. It’s a fun song. We shot it in Miami. [SEE THE VIDEO BELOW!]

It’s been said that your mother played the cello and at the age of 12, you enrolled in the Hartford Conservatory.

I listened to everything because of that reason. I remember my mother had me watching classical things – Amadeus Wolfgang, that movie on him. I liked pop music; that was the only thing that was really allowed in my house anyway, the Mariahs and Whitneys. [My house] wasn’t strict, but my mother watched the content of things. But then I had my own personal music and that’s where I had all my Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg.

Can we expect any live music on the album?

I mean, you can hear my tracking, my programming! I co-produced “Ghetto Dance” with Stargate, but as far as live piano playing and guitar, no. Not yet.

Why did you choose to major in business instead of music in college?

Because I know it should be called “business music” instead of “music business.” I know how much the business runs it, so I kinda wanted to be aware of things I should look out for and just pay attention. It helped to teach me what to pay attention to because I went there for business administration, but my entrepreneurship classes, I took a lot from those to create my own businesses as well.

On the mixtape with DJ Drama, you have song called “Baby,” in which you make a pretty bold request. Is it safe to say you don’t mind being a sex symbol?

Nah, I’ll be a sex symbol! I’m cool with that.

What do you want to achieve within the next five years, as well as with this album?

Five years? I wanna have successful albums by that point, meaning units sold and the fans that I’m reaching, to the point that I’m considered a top entertainer and respected by my peers and my fans. But with this album, I want to show that I’m talented, that I’m passionate, and…I’m a ladies man! [Laughs] Right now, it’s just me. We can have fun. I’m not gonna hurt you. I love, I’ve got my heart broken, I’ve gone through those things.

Three tangible things you can’t live without?

Hmm. I’ma keep away from family. I’ma say sneakers, iPod, video games.

What secret urge do you get often, but never act on?

Calling up a girl that I was with in the past that’s no good for me. I stop myself. It’s definitely a drunk-dial feeling, but I’m not drunk.

If you had to do karaoke, what one song would you sing?

“I Can’t Sleep,” R. Kelly. That’s my joint.

If you were forced to get a tattoo at gunpoint, what would you get?

I’d probably get words that say “I was forced to get this at gunpoint.” [Laughs]

What’s your vice and where do you get it?

Oh, man. I like good food. I like hood spots. I’m a sucker for hood Chinese, Wendy’s… New York City is my favorite city. I just like the type of grind out here. I live in Queens now, but I’m gonna come to the heart of it next year, right in Manhattan.

What do you look for in a woman?

Aside from a pretty face? The ability to listen! [Laughs] To when I need consoling and when a point needs to be proven. We both need to listen. And a sense of humor because I like to laugh and she needs to laugh at my jokes. All of them.

When was the last time you cried?

Full-out cry? Probably “The Lion King,” the movie. I was a kid. Actually, I lied, I cried at “Prince Of Egypt,” too. I didn’t want to. “The Karate Kid” had me almost wanting to cry, the end of it. The pictures they had of Jada and Will and their son, it was just touching. Reminded me of my life – my great home life, and what I want to provide for my kid. [Pause] When I have them. None yet, but I’ma get it poppin’ one day.

HERE’S YOUR CHANCE TO WIN $1,000 DOLLARS!

Can you do the Ghetto Dance? Because Range is looking for the best one! Submit your version of Ghetto Dance for a chance to win $1000 from Roc Nation!

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR VIDEO!

For 2024’s iteration of MadameNoire and HelloBeautiful’s annual series Women to Know, we knew we wanted to celebrate the people who help make the joys of film and television possible. To create art is to create magic. This year, we spotlight Hollywood Executive’s changing the face of cinema.