Biography of Mugeez

Rashid Abdul Mugeez, professionally known as Mugeez, is a Ghanaian singer and songwriter. Born in Bimbila (Northern region, Ghana) he became known through the influential Afrobeats/Hiplife duo R2Bees (Refuse to Be Broke), which he formed with his cousin Faisal Hakeem (aka Omar Sterling) in 2007. The last album of R2Bees titled Site 15 from 2019 made it into the top 10 on the Billboard Chart. He has also worked with Ed Sheeran on Boa Me. In April 2019, Mugeez founded his record label Extrial Music to promote his solo projects, as well as up-and-coming artists.

Early life

Rashid Abdul Mugeez developed a love of rap while attending school which led to him and his cousin forming R2Bees in 2007.The duo released their debut album, Da Revolution, in 2009. A follow-up, Da Revolution II, came in 2012, before the pair were nominated for Best International Act at the 2013 BET Awards. Various R2Bees singles appeared over the next few years while Mugeez also struck out on his own, featuring on singles by the likes of Criss Waddle, Mr. Eazi, and DJ Breezy. In 2017, he was featured on Fuse ODG’s single “Boa Me,” alongside Ed Sheeran. The two cousins lived in the same house and also attended the same primary, junior and senior secondary schools in Tema. Beginning their career early, they started off representing their school in school music contests. This led them to participating in the popular radio competition Kasahare, which they won. Their continued performance gained them popularity within their community.

Career

2007–2012: Foundation of R2Bees and “Da Revolution” – First Album R2Bees

In 2007, both cousins officially formed the music duo R2Bees in Ghana. Mugeez is the lead vocalist of R2Bees, while Omar Sterling is the rapper, as well as CEO of R2Bees Entertainment. KillBeatz’s Joseph Addison is R2Bees’ official producer. R2Bees’ lyrics are in Twi and Ghanaian Pidgin English and their music is a mixture of Afrobeats and Hiplife, a Ghanaian music style that fuses Ghanaian culture and Hip Hop.

2019: Foundation of Extrial Music

After the Site 15 album featuring Afrobeats artists Wizkid and Burna Boy, as well as King Promise and Kwesi Arthur with tracks like “Over”, “Sunshine”, “Yesterday” and “My Baby”. Mugeez founded the record label Extrial Music, to promote his own solo projects, as well as supporting up-and-coming artists. Kicking things off, Mugeez released the singles “Regular” with Sarkodie and “Your Number” with Juls and King Promise. Mugeez also signed Tecknikal, an artist from Ghana, as the first artist under his record label. After the foundation of Extrial in April 2019, Mugeez teamed up with DJ Mic Smith and Kwesi Arthur to release the single “Dripping”. “Chihuahua” is Mugeez first solo single in 2020 and was released on 27 March after an exclusive pre-release on Audiomack. On 8 May 2020. “Six In Da Morning” released.

Awards
1. Ghana Music Awards: Mugeez and R2Bees have won multiple Ghana Music Awards, including awards for “Artiste of the Year,” “Song of the Year,” and “Group of the Year.”

2. African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA): Mugeez and R2Bees have been nominated and won several AFRIMMA awards, which celebrate African music and artists. They have received awards for categories like “Best Group/Duo in Africa” and “Best African Group.”

3. MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA): The duo has been nominated for MTV MAMA awards in various categories, showcasing their international recognition.

Nominations
1. BET Awards: R2Bees has been nominated for BET Awards in the category of “Best International Act: Africa.” This nomination further solidified their presence on the global music stage.

2. All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA): Mugeez and R2Bees have received multiple nominations for AFRIMA in categories such as “Song of the Year” and “Best African Duo or Group.”

3. Nigeria Entertainment Awards (NEA): The group has been recognized with NEA nominations for “African Male Artist (Non-Nigerian/Africa)” and “Music Video of the Year.”

Honors and Recognitions
1. International Collaborations: Mugeez has had the honor of collaborating with international artists, such as Wizkid, on the hit song “Tonight.” This collaboration showcases his cross-border appeal.

2. Influence on Afrobeat: R2Bees, with Mugeez as a key member, has played a significant role in popularizing Afrobeat music, not only in Ghana but also on the global stage.

3. Cultural Impact: Their music has had a cultural impact, with their songs often resonating with audiences across Africa and the African diaspora.

4. Global Tours: Mugeez and R2Bees have embarked on global tours, performing in various countries and gaining fans worldwide.

Mugeez’s journey in the music industry has been marked by numerous accolades, nominations, and honors, reflecting his contribution to the Ghanaian and African music scenes. His ability to blend different musical genres while staying true to his roots has solidified his position as one of the prominent figures in contemporary African music.