Raye is an English singer-songwriter and record producer from Tooting, born in 1997 and raised in Croydon, South London. She is also known as Rachel Agatha Keen. Her music spans alternative R&B, contemporary R&B, dance, dance-pop, jazz and pop.

Early life and beginnings

Raye grows up in a musical household. Her mother is Ghanaian-Swiss and her father is English. She learns piano as a child and attends the BRIT School briefly. She begins uploading music in 2014, starting with the R&B-tinged EP Welcome to the Winter.

Songwriting and recording career

She builds a dual career as a solo artist and a songwriter for other performers. Her writing credits include work with Beyoncé, Charli XCX, John Legend and Little Mix. She is also a singer in the project Artists for Grenfell.

Label dispute and solo success

After a long dispute with Polydor over the withholding of an album, she leaves the label and releases her debut studio album independently, My 21st Century Blues. She co-writes and co-produces the album, which draws on jazz, soul and contemporary pop influences. The single “Escapism” becomes her first UK number one and her first entry on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Recognition and influences

Her independent period brings significant industry recognition, including a record number of BRIT Awards in 2024. She names classic jazz and soul figures such as Nina Simone and Etta James among her influences, alongside modern songwriter Lauryn Hill.