Raye (singer)

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Raye
Birth nameRachel Agatha Keen[1]
Born (1997-10-24) 24 October 1997 (age 23)
Tooting, London, England
OriginLondon, England
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
Years active2014–present
Associated acts

Rachel Agatha Keen[1] (born on 24 October 1997), known professionally as Raye (stylised in all caps), is a British singer and songwriter from South London. In 2016, she had her breakthrough 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.

Early life[]

Rachel Agatha Keen was born on 24 October 1997 in Tooting, London,[5] to a Ghanaian-Swiss mother and an English father. 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."[6]

Career[]

2014–2015: Beginnings and Welcome to the Winter[]

On 11 December 2014, Raye released her debut extended play Welcome to the Winter.[7] Raye released the singles "Flowers" and "Alien" on 7 February 2015 and 28 April 2015 respectively, the latter featuring London based rapper Avelino.[8][9]

2016–2018: Breakthrough and EPs[]

On 11 August 2016, Raye released her second extended play, Second.[10] 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.[11] 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.[12] 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.[13] 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.[14] A video for promotional single "Confidence" with Maleek Berry and Nana Rogues, was released 16 May 2018.[15] 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.[16] 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.[17] The song peaked at number 6 on the UK Singles Chart and topped the UK Dance Chart.[18][19] 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.[20] 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".[21] 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. [22] The project would later be retitled in favour for Euphoric Sad Songs.

On 6 November 2020, Raye released the single "Love of Your Life"[23][24] 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: Departure from Polydor and upcoming debut studio album[]

A collaborative single, "Bed" with Joel Corry and David Guetta, was released on 26 February 2021.[25] 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 serves as the lead single for her upcoming debut studio album.[26] 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, has been withholding her debut album for several years.[27] The statement received support from fellow artists including Charli XCX, MNEK and Rina Sawayama.[28] Raye later went on a hiatus following the statements.[29] On 19 July 2021, she announced via Instagram that she has parted ways with Polydor and is now working as an independent artist.[30]

Personal life[]

She is a supporter of Manchester United F.C.[31]

Discography[]

Main article: Raye discography

Awards and nominations[]

Award Year[a] Recipient(s) and nominee(s) Category Result Ref.
Brit Awards 2021 Secrets with Regard British Single Nominated [32]

Tours[]

Headline

  • Raye Live (2018)

Supporting

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "Don't Leave". Uk.warnerchappell.com. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  2. ^ Sharratt, Joe (22 November 2020). "RAYE returns to the limelight with new album Euphoric Sad Songs". Music Talkers - Latest Music News & Artist Exposure.
  3. ^ Brayden, Kate. "'The Irish crowd gives you everything': Raye on her dancefloor hits and songwriting for music's biggest names". Hotpress.
  4. ^ Martin, Liam. "Raye's Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  5. ^ "RAYE". Simonjonespr.com. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  6. ^ Savage, Mark (4 January 2017). "BBC Sound of 2017: Raye interview". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  7. ^ "Raye (3) - Welcome To The Winter". Discogs.com. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  8. ^ "Raye (3) - Flowers". Discogs.com. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  9. ^ "Raye (3) - Alien". Discogs.com. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  10. ^ "Second - EP by RAYE". Music.apple.com. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  11. ^ "I, U, Us (The Remixes) - EP by RAYE". Music.apple.com. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  12. ^ "Raye - Shhh (Official Video)". Youtube.com. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  13. ^ "XOYO | Whats on Shoreditch". Xoyo.co.uk. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  14. ^ "Side Tape - EP by RAYE". Music.apple.com. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  15. ^ "Raye feat. Maleek Berry & Nana Rogues - 'Confidence'". Capitalfm.com. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  16. ^ "Tipsy (feat. RAYE) - Single by Odunsi (The Engine)". Music.apple.com. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  17. ^ "Secrets - Single by Regard & RAYE". Music.apple.com. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  18. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100 | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  19. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40 | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  20. ^ [1][dead link]
  21. ^ Savage, Mark (15 July 2020). "How updating Dolly Parton helped Raye find her voice". BBC News. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  22. ^ "RAYE reveals how her new EP helped heal her broken heart". uk.news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  23. ^ "Raye Shares New Disco Anthem "Love of Your Life"". The Line of Best Fit. 6 November 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  24. ^ "Raye Releases The Stunning Video To "Love of Your Life"". Press Party. 12 November 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  25. ^ "iTunes - Music - BED - Single by Joel Corry, RAYE & David Guetta". iTunes Store.
  26. ^ "Exclusive: RAYE on 'levelling up' with her massive new dance anthem Call On Me". GAY TIMES. 11 June 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  27. ^ "'Tears and pain' as Polydor holds Raye debut album". BBC News. 30 June 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  28. ^ Clarke, Patrick (30 June 2021). "RAYE says she hasn't "been allowed" to release her debut album". NME. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  29. ^ "Raye quits social media amid claims label won't let her release debut album". NME. 4 July 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  30. ^ "Login • Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  31. ^ "Premier League predictions: Lawro v singer and Manchester United fan Raye". BBC Sport. 21 September 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  32. ^ "Nominations Revealed 31st March!". BRIT Awards. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  1. ^ Indicates the year of ceremony. Each year is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.

External links[]

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