From TIME · Olivia-Anne Cleary · · 2m
Raye Finds Voice and Future Husband
Raye's debut album and new tour reveal her journey from label struggles to independence.
In brief
Raye's debut album and new tour reveal her journey from label struggles to independence. Raye released her debut album after label conflicts, achieving global success and finding her artistic voice. Originally reported by TIME.
Raye opens for Bruno Mars
Raye, 28, opens for Bruno Mars on his Romantic Tour, facing stadium crowds of 70,000.
“I think people know 'Where Is My Husband!'”
Raye's hit single
Raye's hit single 'Where Is My Husband!' has surpassed a billion Spotify streams since its release.
“It’s that taste of humility, where you’re like, ‘Right, this person is just staring at me like they are bored out of their mind’”
Early career struggles
Raye signed a four-album Polydor deal in 2014 but struggled to release her debut for seven years.
“I’ve done everything they asked me, I switched genres, I worked 7 days a week, ask anyone in the music game, they know. I’m done being a polite pop star. I want to make my album now, please that is all I want.”
Label release
Polydor contacted Raye's management team to discuss and offer full support after her social media plea.
“The label was 'saddened' by Raye’s posts and had contacted her management team 'to discuss and offer [its] full support.'”
Debut album success
Raye's 2023 debut album 'My 21st Century Blues' has been streamed more than 2 billion times on Spotify.
“We touched on some heavy stuff. We were able to create a space of emotion and reckoning.”
Breakout single
Raye's breakout single 'Escapism' went viral on TikTok, reaching No. 1 on the U.K. charts three months after release.
“Happier times are coming, alright? The sun exists behind the clouds. It's right there, just hold onto happier times, alright, darling.”
Grammy nominations
Raye earned six Brit Awards wins and three Grammy nominations in 2024.
“A lot of my first album was very cathartic.”
Album themes
Raye's album 'My 21st Century Blues' addressed substance abuse and heartache with raw honesty.
“In one track, 'Ice Cream Man,' she details the sexual assault she experienced as a young woman in the music industry.”
Second album
Raye's second album 'This Music May Contain Hope' covers a spectrum of emotion with hope at its center.
“Happier times are coming, alright? The sun exists behind the clouds. It's right there, just hold onto happier times, alright, darling.”
Personal connection
Raye named her song 'Nightingale Lane' after a road in Balham, South London, where she experienced heartbreak.
“The greatest heartbreak I have ever known.”
Blue plaque
Raye placed an unofficial Blue Plaque outside The Nightingale pub, her ex's favorite drinking spot.
“I thought the pub would've taken it down by now, but [it’s] still up there.”
Lead track
Raye chose 'Where Is My Husband!' as the lead track for her album, which topped the U.K. charts in January.
“I had a feeling fellow 'single girls' would relate to my frustration with waiting to find a worthy partner.”
Musical style
Raye blends big-band, jazz, and funk elements into her music, defying easy genre categorization.
“I love having a nightclub segment in my shows and I love jazz. Those are two polarizing genres, they're not supposed to be allowed to coexist, but it's really exciting to be able to get on stage and sing 'Fly Me to the Moon' with a seven-piece brass section and then go into letting everyone jump and have green lasers.”
Creative control
Raye removed external opinions to reclaim her artistic voice and creative direction.
“A massive part of that has come from just removing any external opinions. It's important to have people who can give you a great perspective, but you don't need too many cooks in the kitchen.”
Family support
Raye's family, including her sisters, helps her stay grounded during her career journey.
“I navigated a whole journey very distant from my family, and it just wasn't ideal for me. This job and career path is so weird, in the most amazing way, but also confusing.”
The short version
Raye released her debut album after label conflicts, achieving global success and finding her artistic voice.
