Raye

 

Raye

Rachel Agatha Keen (born October 24, 1997), professionally known as Raye, is a British singer-songwriter. She initially gained attention after signing with Polydor Records and releasing dance singles and EPs. Her departure from the label, which allegedly refused to release her debut album, further piqued media interest.

Raye independently released her debut studio album, My 21st Century Blues, in 2023 to widespread critical acclaim. The album's third single, Escapism, became a viral hit on social media and marked her first chart-topping single in the UK. It also made its debut on the US Billboard Hot 100. At the 2024 Brit Awards, Raye made history by winning six categories, including British Artist of the Year, breaking the record for the most wins by an artist in a single ceremony. She was also included in BBC's 100 Women 2024 list and earned three nominations at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist.

Her music, which blends pop, R&B, jazz, soul, and dance influences, often explores her personal struggles and contemporary social issues. In addition to her solo work, Raye has co-written songs for artists such as Beyoncé, Charli XCX, John Legend, and Little Mix.

Early Life

Raye was born in Tooting, London, to a Ghanaian-Swiss mother, who worked in mental health, and an English father from Yorkshire. She has three younger sisters. Raye grew up surrounded by music, with her mother singing in the church choir and her father serving as the musical director. The family later moved to Croydon, South London, where Raye attended Woodcote High School.

From an early age, Raye was drawn to music and began writing songs at eight years old. She performed her first song at Southwark Cathedral after learning to play the piano from her father. At 14, Raye was chosen to study at the BRIT School, although she dropped out after two years due to feeling restricted. She spent her teenage years honing her songwriting skills in studio sessions on weekends.

Career

2014–2018: Early Career and Breakthrough In 2014, Raye independently released her debut EP Welcome to the Winter on SoundCloud. The EP was discovered by Olly Alexander of Years & Years, leading to Raye signing with Polydor Records. In 2015, she released the single Alien featuring Avelino and later opened for Years & Years. Her 2016 EP Second included the track I, U, Us, co-written with Charli XCX, who also directed the music video.

Raye's feature on Jonas Blue’s By Your Side and Jax Jones's You Don't Know Me in 2016 helped her break into the mainstream. She also served as an opening act for Jess Glynne and toured with Charli XCX and Stormzy. Her third EP, Side Tape, came out in 2018, along with the collaborative single Cigarette featuring Mabel and Don.

2019–2021: Euphoric Sad Songs and Departure from Polydor In 2019, Raye collaborated with Odunsi the Engine on Tipsy and David Guetta on Stay (Don't Go Away), the latter becoming her first number-one song on Billboard's US Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart. She also co-wrote Bigger by Beyoncé for The Lion King: The Gift soundtrack.

Raye’s solo career continued in 2020 with Tequila (with Jax Jones and Martin Solveig) and Secrets (with DJ Regard), which went platinum in the UK. In November 2020, Raye released Euphoric Sad Songs, which explored themes of grief. Her 2021 single Bed, a collaboration with David Guetta and Joel Corry, became her highest-charting single to date in the UK and topped the US Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart.

In 2021, Raye announced her departure from Polydor Records, revealing that they had withheld her debut album for years. After parting ways with the label, she continued to build her career as an independent artist, performing a headlining tour in the UK and Ireland.

2022–Present: My 21st Century Blues and International Recognition In 2022, Raye signed with Human Re Sources, an independent distribution company, and began owning her master recordings. She released her first independent single, Hard Out Here, in June 2022, followed by Black Mascara in August. In October, she released the dual singles Escapism (featuring 070 Shake) and The Thrill is Gone, both of which were featured on her debut album My 21st Century Blues, released in February 2023. The album was praised by critics and peaked at number two on the UK Albums Chart.

Escapism became a viral hit and was her first UK number-one song. It also marked her first appearance on the US Billboard Hot 100. Raye's 2023 included high-profile tour dates supporting Lewis Capaldi, Kali Uchis, and SZA, as well as performances at Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. She also performed at the Glastonbury Festival and released My 21st Century Symphony (Live at the Royal Albert Hall) in October.

Raye's achievements continued into 2024, when she won six Brit Awards, including British Artist of the Year, and was nominated for three Grammy Awards. She also performed at the Brit Awards and co-wrote the song Riiverdance for Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter album.

Artistry

Raye is known for her genre-blending music, which spans R&B, pop, jazz, soul, and dance. She has cited jazz musicians like Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong as major influences and grew up listening to artists such as Jill Scott, Nina Simone, and Alicia Keys. Her music often addresses personal and contemporary themes, such as self-insecurities, drug addiction, and social issues.

Achievements

Raye has received numerous accolades, including six Brit Awards, two Ivor Novello Awards, and two MTV Europe Music Awards. She was named Musician of the Year at the Harper's Bazaar Woman of the Year 2024 event and her debut album My 21st Century Blues was shortlisted for the 2023 Mercury Prize. Raye also made history at the 2024 Brit Awards by breaking the record for the most wins at a single ceremony, and was nominated for three Grammy Awards at the 67th ceremony.

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