Who is Raye? - Full Life Story

Life Story of Raye (Rachel Agatha Keen)

Early Life and Beginnings (2014)

Rachel Agatha Keen, known professionally as Raye, was born on October 24, 1997, in Tooting, London. She grew up in a musical family with a Ghanaian-Swiss mother and an English father. Raye began her music career at a young age, singing gospel songs in church and later attending the BRIT School before dropping out to pursue her career independently. In December 2014, at the age of 17, Raye released her debut extended play "Welcome to the Winter," marking the start of her professional music career[1][6][12][20][22].

Breakthrough and Collaborations (2015-2016)

In 2015, Raye continued to develop her music, releasing singles such as "Flowers" and "Alien." The following year, she released her second EP, "Second," which included tracks featuring Stormzy and a music video directed by Charli XCX. Raye gained wider recognition for her features on Jonas Blue's "By Your Side" and Jax Jones' "You Don't Know Me," the latter reaching number three on the UK Singles Chart and achieving double Platinum certification[1][4][8].

Rising Popularity and Songwriting (2017-2018)

By 2017, Raye was a rising star, having been featured on the BBC Sound of 2017 list. She continued to release music, including her "Side Tape" EP in 2018, and garnered songwriting credits for prominent artists like Beyoncé and John Legend. Her talent as a songwriter and performer was becoming increasingly recognized in the industry[1][4][10].

Label Struggles and Independence (2019-2020)

Despite her success, Raye faced challenges with her record label, Polydor Records. She expressed frustration over the label's reluctance to release her debut album, feeling that her music was being sidelined. This period was marked by a public outcry from Raye, which eventually led to her departure from the label and the beginning of her journey as an independent artist[1][3][16].

Breakthrough as an Independent Artist (2021-2024)

As an independent artist, Raye achieved significant milestones. Her single "Escapism" featuring 070 Shake went viral on TikTok and topped the UK Singles Chart, becoming her first song to enter the US Billboard Hot 100. In 2023, she released her debut studio album "My 21st Century Blues," which won Album of the Year at the 2024 BRIT Awards and was nominated for the 2023 Mercury Prize. Raye's departure from her label and subsequent success as an independent artist marked a turning point in her career, showcasing her resilience and artistic vision[1][11][13][18].

Throughout the decade from 2014 to 2024, Raye evolved from a promising young talent to an accomplished independent artist, overcoming industry challenges and achieving both critical and commercial success. Her journey is a testament to her determination and creativity as a singer, songwriter, and record producer.

Citations: [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raye [2] https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6672431/ [3] https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/raye-interview-polydor-hard-out-here-b2112273.html [4] https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-38402963 [5] https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/rachel-keen.html [6] https://raye.fandom.com/wiki/Raye [7] https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/features/longread/raye-one-to-watch-2017-interview [8] https://music.apple.com/gb/album/second-ep/1444861442 [9] https://ew.com/music/2017/07/07/breaking-big-raye/ [10] https://music.apple.com/us/album/side-tape-ep/1382754257 [11] https://www.j-14.com/posts/who-is-raye-the-british-singer-won-6-brits-for-debut-album/ [12] https://www.urbansoul.be/2015/01/28/raye-welcome-to-the-winter-review-english/ [13] https://www.last.fm/music/RAYE/%2Bwiki [14] https://www.thefader.com/2017/11/24/raye-interview-gen-f [15] https://jaxsta.com/news-article/45259 [16] https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/sep/25/im-angry-im-raging-how-raye-took-on-her-record-label-and-won [17] https://raye.fandom.com/wiki/Second_%28EP%29 [18] https://music.apple.com/us/artist/raye/261686 [19] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raye_discography [20] https://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/2014/11/21/new-noise-raye/ [21] https://www.wearegoingsolo.com/tracks/raye-tell-me/ [22] https://www.allmusic.com/artist/raye-mn0002593543 [23] https://www.last.fm/music/RAYE?album_order=release_date&shoutbox-sort=popular