Raye

RAYE on the M21CB photoshoot

**Rachel Agatha Keen**, (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". 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. The album was preceded by the single "Escapism.", which peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart and became her first song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.

## Early life

Rachel Agatha Keen was born in Tooting, London, to a Ghanaian-Swiss mother and an English father, originally from Yorkshire. Brought up in a musical household – her dad and grandad were both songwriters and played in bands – RAYE's tastes combined both the Ella Fitzgerald songs her mum used to play as well as the Rihanna and Drake bangers she got into as she grew up.

She started to write songs from an early age, with piano lessons helping her formulate songs. Even before that, with only eight years old, she was getting into production. Years later, she was guided by her father and her guitar teacher into starting a music career. Her interest quickly led to small charity gigs and singing in her local church.

She moved to Croydon in her teens, where she studied at Woodcote High School before being accepted in 2012 to attend the BRIT School for two years before dropping out after she felt "confined...despite learning an extensive amount." at the age of sixteen.

## Career

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

In December 2014, Raye released her debut extended play *Welcome to the Winter*. Raye released the singles "Flowers" and "Alien" in February and April 2015 respectively, the latter featuring London based rapper Avelino.

In August 2016, Raye released her second EP, *Second*. The extended play 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 in October 2016. A video was released which was directed by British singer/songwriter Charli XCX. A live performance video for the song "Shhh" was released in November 2016. Raye was featured on Jonas Blue's single "By Your Side". It was released in October 2016 and peaked at number 15 on the UK Singles Chart. She also featured on Jax Jones' single "You Don't Know Me", in 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.

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

In February 2018, Raye released the single titled "Cigarette" with Mabel and Stefflon Don. The song peaked at number 41 on the UK Singles 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 in the UK and is certified Gold. Both "Decline" and "Cigarette" would appear on Raye's third extended play, titled *Side Tape*, which was released in May 2018. A video for promotional single "Confidence" with Maleek Berry and Nana Rogues, was also released that month. Later in 2018, Raye released the stand-alone single titled, "Friends", which peaked at number 66 in the UK. 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.

### 2019–2020: *Euphoric Sad Songs*

In February 2019, Raye was featured on the song, "Tipsy" by Odunsi. 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 Singles 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 in July 2019. In August 2019, Raye released the single "Love Me Again" whilst a remix of the song with Jess Glynne was later released. The single later peaked at number 55 on the UK Singles Chart and has been certified Silver. Another Guetta collaboration, "Make It to Heaven" was released in 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 in December 2019 and February 2020 respectively.

"Tequila" was released as a single in collaboration with DJs Jax Jones and Martin Solveig in February 2020. The song peaked at number 21 on the UK Singles Chart as well as peaking inside the top 20 in Ireland and Scotland. The track received a Gold certification in the UK. A collaboration with DJ Regard titled "Secrets" was released in April 2020. The song peaked at number six on the UK Singles Chart and topped the UK Dance Chart. The song also reached the top ten 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. In July 2020, Raye released the single "Natalie Don't".

In November 2020, Raye released her first mini-album *Euphoric Sad Songs* featuring previous releases "Love Me Again", "Please Don't Touch", "Secrets" and "Natalie Don't" plus additional new singles "Love of Your Life" and the album's fifth official single, "Regardless" with Rudimental. The latter single peaked inside the top 40 in the United Kingdom as well on the US Dance/Electronic Songs chart. The project is centred around the theme of the "seven stages of grief" with Raye stating that she wrote the album during each stage of grief with the creative process helping heal her broken heart.

### 2021–present: Departure from Polydor, *My 21st Century Blues* and international breakthrough

A collaborative single, "BED" with Joel Corry and David Guetta, was released in February 2021. 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. In June 2021, Raye released the single "Call On Me", which was intended to serve as the lead single for her debut studio album. Raye co-wrote and co-produced the song "Let Them Know" by Mabel, which was also released the same month.

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

In June 2022, Raye released the single "Hard Out Here.", her first release as an independent artist. The second single, "Black Mascara.", was released in August 2022 and was followed by a dual single release, "Escapism." featuring 070 Shake, and "The Thrill is Gone." in October 2022. All singles would come together to form Raye's debut studio album, *My 21st Century Blues*, which was released in February 2023. In support of the album, Raye embarked on a mini tour entitled The Story So Far, which marked her first headlining shows in Europe and North America. This was followed by the My 21st Century Blues tour, which commenced in February 2023. By December 2022, following the track going viral on multiple streaming platforms, "Escapism." ascended into the top ten of the UK Singles Chart, later peaking at number one in the first week of 2023, marking Raye's highest charting single and first chart-topper in the country. In the United States, "Escapism" became Raye's first song to chart on the *Billboard* Hot 100, peaking at number 22. The track also charted internationally, becoming Raye's best-charting single of her career to date in various territories. The album's fourth single "Ice Cream Man." was released on February 2, 2023. *My 21st Century Blues* was released the following day. The album went on to be met with universal acclaim from critics. A remix of "Flip A Switch." featuring Coi Leray was released on April 21, 2023. On July 20, 2023, Raye released "The Weekend" alongside British rapper Stormzy.

## Tours

**Headline**

* Raye Live (2018)
* Euphoric Sad Show Tour (2021)
* The Story So Far (2022)
* My 21st Century Blues World Tour (2023 - 2024)

**Supporting**

* Years & Years – Communion Tour (2015)
* Jess Glynne – Take Me Home Tour (2016)
* Rita Ora – The Girls Tour (2018)
* Halsey – Hopeless Fountain Kingdom World Tour (2018)
* Khalid – Free Spirit World Tour (2019)