Rachel Agatha Keen, known professionally as RAYE, is a British singer and songwriter born on October 24, 1997, in Tooting, London. Raised in Croydon, she attended the BRIT School for two years before leaving to pursue her music career. RAYE's musical journey began at a young age, writing her own songs from the age of ten.
Career Beginnings and Songwriting
RAYE first gained recognition through her features on the 2016 singles "By Your Side" by Jonas Blue and "You Don't Know Me" by Jax Jones, the latter of which she also co-wrote and peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart. She also established herself as a sought-after songwriter for other prominent artists. Her songwriting credits include tracks for Beyoncé ("Bigger"), Little Mix ("Told You So"), Charli XCX ("After the Afterparty"), and Ellie Goulding ("Sixteen").
Struggle for Independence
Despite her early success with features and songwriting, RAYE faced significant challenges with her record label, Polydor Records, which she claimed was withholding her debut album for several years. In 2021, she publicly voiced her frustrations and was subsequently released from her contract, becoming an independent artist.
Breakthrough with "My 21st Century Blues"
As an independent artist, RAYE released her debut studio album, "My 21st Century Blues," in February 2023. The album was met with critical acclaim and commercial success. The single "Escapism," featuring 070 Shake, went viral on social media and became her first UK number-one single, also entering the US Billboard Hot 100. The album addresses personal struggles, with songs like "Ice Cream Man" detailing her experiences with sexual assault.
Record-Breaking Achievements
In 2024, RAYE made history at the BRIT Awards by winning a record-breaking six awards in a single night, including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for "My 21st Century Blues," and Song of the Year for "Escapism.". This achievement surpassed previous records held by artists like Adele, Harry Styles, and Blur. She also received nominations for the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist.