Raye

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RAYE
Birth nameRachel Agatha Keen[1]
Born (1997-10-24) 24 October 1997 (age 26)
Tooting, London, United Kingdom
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • piano
Years active2014–present
Labels

Rachel Agatha Keen,[1] (born 24 October 1997) known professionally as Raye (stylised in all caps), is a British singer and songwriter. In 2016, she rose to prominence by featuring on the singles; "By Your Side" by Jonas Blue and "You Don't Know Me" by Jax Jones, the latter peaking at number three on the UK Singles Chart and both being certified platinum or higher by the BPI. Raye was short-listed for the BBC Music Sound of... award for 2017 and was named in third place. Her debut mini-album, Euphoric Sad Songs was released in November 2020 and spawned in the UK top-10 single "Secrets" with Regard. In 2021, she was co-lead artist on the single "Bed" with musicians Joel Corry and David Guetta. In July 2021, Raye parted ways with her record label Polydor Records. Her debut studio album, My 21st Century Blues, will be released on 3 February 2023.

Early life

Rachel Agatha Keen was born in Tooting, London,[3] to a Ghanaian-Swiss mother and an English father, originally from Yorkshire. She moved to Croydon, where she studied at Woodcote High School before being accepted to attend the BRIT School for two years before dropping out after she felt "confined...despite learning an extensive amount."[4]

Career

2014–2018: Welcome to the Winter, Breakthrough and EPs

On 11 December 2014, Raye released her debut extended play Welcome to the Winter.[5] Raye released the singles "Flowers" and "Alien" on 7 February 2015 and 28 April 2015 respectively, the latter featuring London based rapper Avelino.[6][7]

On 11 August 2016, Raye released her second extended play, Second.[8] The EP was preceded by promotional singles "Distraction" and "Ambition", the latter featuring rapper Stormzy. "I, U, Us" was released as the lead single from the EP on 14 October 2016.[9] A video was released which was directed by British singer/songwriter Charli XCX. A live performance video for the song "Shhh" was released 17 November 2016.[10] Raye was featured on Jonas Blue's single "By Your Side". It was released on 28 October 2016 and peaked at number 15 on the UK Singles Chart. She also featured on Jax Jones' single "You Don't Know Me", released on 9 December 2016. The song, co-written by Raye herself, peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart and has been certified double Platinum by the BPI.

On 9 February 2017, Raye performed her first headline concert at XOYO in Shoreditch, London.[11] Raye was featured alongside Starrah on the track "Dreamer" from Charli XCX's Number 1 Angel mixtape, which was released on 10 March 2017. Stand-alone singles, "The Line" and "Sober (Stripped)" were released on 19 May 2017 and 4 August 2017 respectively. On 3 November 2017, Raye released "Decline" featuring Mr Eazi, which peaked at Number 15 on the UK Chart and has been certified Platinum in the same country.

On 22 February 2018, Raye released the single titled "Cigarette" with Mabel and Stefflon Don. The song peaked at Number 41 on the UK Chart and has been certified Silver by the BPI. In March 2018, Raye collaborated with Kojo Funds and released "Check" which peaked at Number 26 on the UK Chart and has been certified Gold in the United Kingdom. Both "Decline" and "Cigarette" would appear on Raye's third extended play, titled Side Tape, which was released on 4 May 2018.[12] A video for promotional single "Confidence" with Maleek Berry and Nana Rogues, was released 16 May 2018.[13] Later in 2018, Raye released the stand-alone single titled, "Friends", which peaked at Number 66 on the UK Chart. In September 2018, Raye supported Halsey on the European leg of the Hopeless Fountain Kingdom Tour. In October 2018, Raye embarked on her own headlining tour, visiting a number of cities around the UK and Ireland.[citation needed]

2019–2020: Euphoric Sad Songs

In February 2019, Raye was featured on the song, "Tipsy" by Odunsi.[14] In April 2019, it was announced Raye would support Khalid on his Free Spirit World Tour in Autumn 2019, alongside Mabel. Raye collaborated with David Guetta on the single "Stay (Don't Go Away)" which was released in May 2019 and peaked at Number 41 on the UK Chart. Raye was revealed to be a co-writer on the track "Bigger" sung by American singer Beyoncé, which was featured on the soundtrack album The Lion King: The Gift released on 19 July 2019. In August 2019, Raye released the single "Love Me Again" whilst a remix of the song with Jess Glynne was later released on 30 August 2019. The single later peaked at Number 55 on the UK Chart and has been certified Silver. Another Guetta collaboration, "Make It to Heaven" was later released on 22 November 2019 along with producer Morten. Follow up promotional singles "Please Don't Touch" and "All of My Love", the latter featuring rapper Young Adz, were released on 13 December 2019 and 6 February 2020 respectively.

"Tequila" was released as a single in collaboration with DJs Jax Jones and Martin Solveig on 21 February 2020. The song peaked at Number 21 on the UK Chart as well as peaking inside the top 20 on the Ireland and Scotland charts. The track received a Gold certification in the UK. A collaboration with DJ Regard titled "Secrets" was released on 23 April 2020.[15] The song peaked at number 6 on the UK Singles Chart and topped the UK Dance Chart.[16][17] The song also reached the top 10 in Ireland and Scotland as well as on the US Billboard Dance/Electronic Songs chart. "Secrets" charted in numerous countries such as the Netherlands, France and Germany making it Raye's first chart appearance as a lead artist. On 10 July 2020, Raye released the single "Natalie Don't", alongside a music video.[18] In an interview with BBC News, Raye announced that her fifth EP titled, Her Heart Beats in 4/4, would be released later that same year. The project would be centred around the theme of the "seven stages of grief" and will include previously released singles "Love Me Again" and "Natalie Don't".[19] In an interview with Kate Thornton for her podcast White Wine Question Time, Raye said she wrote the album during each stage of grief and that ultimately the creative process had healed her broken heart.[20] The project would later be retitled in favour for Euphoric Sad Songs.

On 6 November 2020, Raye released the single "Love of Your Life"[21][22] and later announced the release of Euphoric Sad Songs, which would include the previous released songs; "Love Me Again", "Please Don't Touch", "Secrets" and "Natalie Don't". The mini-album was released on 20 November 2020. The album's fourth official single, "Regardless" with Rudimental, was released alongside the mini-album, with a music video premiering on 8 January 2021. The single peaked inside the top 40 in the United Kingdom as well on the US Dance/Electronic Songs chart.

2021–present: Departure from Polydor and My 21st Century Blues

A collaborative single, "Bed" with Joel Corry and David Guetta, was released on 26 February 2021.[23] The song would peak at number three on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Raye's highest charting single as a lead artist on the chart. On 11 June 2021, Raye released the single "Call On Me", which was intended to serve as the lead single for her upcoming debut studio album.[24] Raye co-wrote and co-produced the song "Let Them Know" by Mabel, which was released on 18 June 2021.

On 29 June 2021, Raye revealed that her record label, Polydor Records, had been withholding her debut album for several years.[25] The statement received support from fellow artists including Charli XCX, MNEK and Rina Sawayama.[26] Raye later went on a hiatus following the statements.[27] On 19 July 2021, she announced via Instagram that she had parted ways with Polydor to work as an independent artist.[28] Raye closed the year performing her Euphoric Sad Show headline UK tour.[29]

On 30 June 2022, Raye released the single "Hard Out Here", her first release following the separation from Polydor Records.[30] The second single, "Black Mascara", was released on 24 August 2022.[31] A dual single release, "Escapism" featuring 070 Shake, and "The Thrill is Gone" was released on 12 October 2022.[32] All singles would come together to form Raye's debut studio album, My 21st Century Blues, which will be released on 3 February 2023. In support of the album, Raye embarked on a mini tour entitled The Story So Far, which will mark her first headlining shows in Europe and North America.[33] This was followed by the My 21st Century Blues tour, which will commence in February 2023.[34]

Discography

Main article: Raye discography

Awards and nominations

Award Year[a] Recipient(s) and nominee(s) Category Result Ref.
Brit Awards 2018 "You Don't Know Me" (with Jax Jones) British Single of the Year Nominated [35]
2021 "Secrets" (with Regard) Nominated [36]
2022 "Bed" (with Joel Corry and David Guetta) Nominated [37]
Herself Best Dance Act Nominated
Global Awards 2022 Herself Best Female Nominated [38]
Ivor Novello Awards 2022 "Bed" (with David Guetta, Jin Jin & Giorgio Tuinfort) Most Performed Work Nominated [39]
Herself Songwriter of the Year Nominated
Popjustice £20 Music Prize" 2020 "Please Don't Touch" Best British Pop Single Nominated [40]
2021 "Love of Your Life" Nominated

Tours

Headline

Supporting

References

  1. ^ a b "Don't Leave". Uk.warnerchappell.com. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  2. ^ Martin, Liam. "Raye's Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  3. ^ "RAYE". Simonjonespr.com. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  4. ^ Savage, Mark (4 January 2017). "BBC Sound of 2017: Raye interview". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  5. ^ "Raye (3) - Welcome To The Winter". Discogs.com. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  6. ^ "Raye (3) - Flowers". Discogs.com. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  7. ^ "Raye (3) - Alien". Discogs.com. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  8. ^ "Second - EP by RAYE". Music.apple.com. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  9. ^ "I, U, Us (The Remixes) - EP by RAYE". Music.apple.com. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  10. ^ "Raye - Shhh (Official Video)". Youtube.com. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  11. ^ "XOYO | Whats on Shoreditch". Xoyo.co.uk. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  12. ^ "Side Tape - EP by RAYE". Music.apple.com. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  13. ^ "Raye feat. Maleek Berry & Nana Rogues - 'Confidence'". Capitalfm.com. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  14. ^ "Tipsy (feat. RAYE) - Single by Odunsi (The Engine)". Music.apple.com. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  15. ^ "Secrets - Single by Regard & RAYE". Music.apple.com. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  16. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100 | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  17. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40 | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  18. ^ "RAYE on Twitter: "💔👱🏼‍♀️Natalie Don't👱🏼‍♀️💔 Friday.… "". Archived from the original on 8 July 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  19. ^ Savage, Mark (15 July 2020). "How updating Dolly Parton helped Raye find her voice". BBC News. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  20. ^ "RAYE reveals how her new EP helped heal her broken heart". uk.news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  21. ^ "Raye Shares New Disco Anthem "Love of Your Life"". The Line of Best Fit. 6 November 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  22. ^ "Raye Releases The Stunning Video To "Love of Your Life"". Press Party. 12 November 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  23. ^ "iTunes - Music - BED - Single by Joel Corry, RAYE & David Guetta". iTunes Store.
  24. ^ "Exclusive: RAYE on 'levelling up' with her massive new dance anthem Call On Me". GAY TIMES. 11 June 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  25. ^ "'Tears and pain' as Polydor holds Raye debut album". BBC News. 30 June 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  26. ^ Clarke, Patrick (30 June 2021). "RAYE says she hasn't "been allowed" to release her debut album". NME. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  27. ^ "Raye quits social media amid claims label won't let her release debut album". NME. 4 July 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  28. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  29. ^ a b "RAYE announces 'The Euphoric Sad Show' UK and Irish headline tour". NME. 31 August 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  30. ^ Magnocavallo, Fabio (1 July 2022). "RAYE - Hard Out Here". EUPHORIA. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  31. ^ "RAYE unveils new single "Black Mascara"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  32. ^ "RAYE delivers new tracks "Escapism." featuring 070 Shake and "The Thrill Is Gone."". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  33. ^ Ackroyd, Stephen (13 September 2022). "RAYE has announced a string of intimate shows for this October and November | Dork". readdork.com. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  34. ^ Richards, Will (13 November 2022). "RAYE drops new single 'Escapism' and announces 2023 world tour dates". NME. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  35. ^ "Brit Awards 2018 Winners: The Complete List". Billboard.
  36. ^ "Nominations Revealed 31st March!". BRIT Awards. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  37. ^ "BRIT Awards 2022 nominations in full". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  38. ^ "Shortlist for 2022 Global Awards announced".
  39. ^ "Ivor Novello Awards 2022: Adele, Ed Sheeran, Dave and Inflo lead list of nominations". www.officialcharts.com.
  40. ^ "The Popjustice Twenty Quid Music Prize • Popjustice".
  41. ^ Logan, Philip (13 September 2022). "RAYE Announces Plans For Intimate Tour of Europe and USA: 'The Story So Far...'". CelebMix. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  42. ^ Holden, Finlay (10 November 2022). "RAYE has announced a huge world tour for 2023, and shared a new music video for recent single, 'Escapsim.' | Dork". readdork.com. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  1. ^ Indicates the year of ceremony. Each year is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Raye&oldid=1124960423"