Raye’s inspiring struggles and triumphs

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.

This article was written by a student writer from the Her Campus chapter in Exeter.

Born Rachel Keen in 1997, Raye is a British singer-songwriter who embraces and represents female perseverance in the music industry. Her emotional voice and honest lyrics communicate her journey from difficulties in the industry to her breakthrough as an independent artist. Her artistic execution is both inspiring and emblematic of larger issues within the music industry, making her an excellent role model, and one of my favorite artists of all time!

Raye started her career studying at the BRIT School and released her first EP (a recording with more songs than a single, but less than an album), Welcome to winter in 2014. Subsequently, Raye was introduced as an emerging artist with a unique sound that blended pop, R&B and electronic influences. This success led to a contract with Polydor Records, with whom she hoped to boost her career.

For years, however, Raye felt that she and her creativity were being suppressed. The label wanted her to focus on singles, rather than her own full-length album, as they believed this would bring greater success. But Raye was determined to have the freedom to explore her creativity in her own way.

In 2021, Raye publicly expressed her frustrations on social media. She bravely revealed that she had been with the label for seven years, but had never been allowed to release her own album. Her posts about the control labels have over artists, especially young women, sparked a broader discussion about the exploitation of artists in the music industry. Artists like Lizzo and Dua Lipa have also recently spoken out about the mistreatment of women in the system. Ultimately, Raye left Polydor and began her journey on a path of independence.

This marked a turning point in her career and meant she was able to take control of her music and unleash the creative genius we now know her by. Raye released her debut album, My 21st century bluesin February 2023. The album is a deeply personal exploration of themes such as heartbreak, mental health and sexual violence. “Ice Cream Man” is a particularly sensitive and heartbreaking song that reflects the predatory behavior she has experienced from men throughout her life. The album also features songs like ‘Escapism’, a raw and infectiously catchy song, which highlights Raye’s ability to combine vulnerability and original production.

I had the pleasure of seeing Raye perform live for the first time at Reading Festival this summer and her performance was fascinating. She embodies the syncopated and improvised characteristics of traditional jazz, blended with a modern injection of a driving pop riff and informed lyrics. The audience spanned generations from young to old, making her a performer who reaches a wide and diverse audience.

My 21st century blues was a huge success, not just because of the songs, but because of the way it represented Raye’s journey in an industry that tried to suppress her. The album proved that artists could find success outside the traditional label system and supported her decision to be independent.

If you’re just discovering Raye, my top three recommendations would have to be ‘Worth It’, ‘Oscar Winning Tears’ and ‘Ice Cream Man’. Likewise, her live performances are incredible, often backed by an orchestra, and prove that perseverance, coupled with an authentic voice, can break through even the toughest barriers.