Raye
Updated: Wikipedia source
Rachel Agatha Keen (born 24 October 1997), known professionally as Raye (/reɪ/ RAY), is a British singer-songwriter and record producer. She first rose to prominence after signing with Polydor Records, and providing the vocals for the Jonas Blue song "By Your Side" (2016), which became her first top-twenty entry on the UK Singles Chart. Her breakout hit, "You Don't Know Me" (2016), with Jax Jones, reached the top five in multiple countries, including France, Germany and the United Kingdom. Her debut major-label EP, Second, was released in 2016, followed by the EP Side Tape in 2018, the latter of which included the UK top-twenty song "Decline" (2017). Her first mini-album, Euphoric Sad Songs (2020), featured the song "Secrets", which reached the top ten in the UK. This was followed by the house music-influenced single "Bed" (2021), which became her first top fifty entry on the Billboard Global 200. Raye then gained media attention with her departure from the record label, which allegedly refused to release her debut album. She subsequently released her first independent single, "Hard Out Here" (2022), which lyrically discusses her struggles while being on the label. Raye independently released her debut studio album, My 21st Century Blues (2023), to critical acclaim. The album's third single, "Escapism", gained popularity in social media and became her first song to top the UK Singles Chart and enter the US Billboard Hot 100. At the Brit Awards 2024, Raye won six categories including British Artist of the Year, breaking the record for the artist with the most awards received in a single ceremony of the organization. BBC included Raye on its 100 Women 2024 list. She received three nominations at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards including Best New Artist. In 2023, Raye was selected by Forbes to be one of the honorees on its renowned annual Forbes 30 Under 30 (Europe category) list. In 2025, she released the single "Where Is My Husband!", which reached the top ten in multiple countries, and became her second top-forty entry on the US Billboard Hot 100, following "Escapism". The song is set to be the lead single from her upcoming second studio album. Lyrically focusing on her own struggles and contemporary issues, the majority of Raye's genre-blending music is influenced by jazz, while also incorporating R&B, pop, and soul. Outside of her own discography, Raye has co-written songs for other musicians, such as Beyoncé, Charli XCX, John Legend, Little Mix and Halle.