5 Songs I Love w/ Richandell

Following the release of his latest track, "More Than Friends", Flex caught up with Richandell to find out what inspires his distinctive blend of R&B, hip-hop and contemporary production. Drawing from his own experiences growing up in the Netherlands, Richandell creates music that gives young people a voice, combining honest storytelling with polished, genre-crossing sounds. If you enjoy Richandell's picks, be sure to check out "More Than Friends" at the end of the article.

1. OfficiallyMagic - One Life

Craig Middleburg is not only one of my closest friends, he’s also the first UK artist I ever worked with. That collaboration opened a lot of doors for me and showed me how music can connect people from different countries and cultures. This track always reminds me of where that journey started. Every time I hear it, I think about friendship, loyalty and believing in each other’s vision. That’s why it will always be one of my favourite songs.

2. Kempi - Zoveel Stress

I remember listening to Kempi long before social media was a thing. Back then, everyone was sharing mixtapes and somehow everybody knew his music, but hardly anyone knew what he looked like. When “Zoveel Stress” came out, it became one of those records that really stayed with me. As a kid I always dreamed of working with him one day. Years later that dream became reality, and today we have multiple songs together. That makes this track even more special because it reminds me that some childhood dreams really do come true.

3. DMX - Slippin'

DMX had a huge influence on me as an artist. “Slippin’” showed me that strength doesn’t come from pretending you’re invincible; it comes from being honest about your struggles. The emotion in his voice is something you can’t fake. That authenticity inspired me to write more personal music and never be afraid to tell my own story.

4. Ja Rule - Always On Time ft. Ashanti

This song takes me straight back to my childhood and reminds me of spending time with my mum. It was one of those songs that was always playing. I also loved the chemistry between Ja Rule and Ashanti. Hearing a male and female artist tell a story together felt special and cinematic. Ja Rule’s rough voice always reminded me a little of DMX, while Ashanti brought the perfect balance with her smooth vocals. It’s one of those timeless collaborations that still feels fresh today.

5. Bone Thugs n Harmony - Thuggish Ruggish Bone

This is where it all began for me. “Thuggish Ruggish Bone” inspired me to write my very first lyrics. The beat, the harmonies and especially the flows completely blew me away. I remember putting the song on repeat and trying to write over that instrumental. Without this record, I honestly don’t know if I would’ve started making music when I did. It played a huge role in shaping me as both a writer and an artist.

Listen to "More Than Friends"