RAYE: Get to know more about her incredible rise to fame
She's achieved so much!
RAYE is an incredible musical force to be reckoned with. She's got a whole host of awards to her name, and performed at Glastonbury 2025 on the Pyramid Stage, as well as giving jaw-dropping performances at this year's Oscars and Grammy Awards - PLUS a brand new album AND tour on the way.
But nothing has been handed to her on a plate. From her beginnings at the BRIT School, RAYE has grafted — from fighting to release her debut album as an independent artist to becoming one of the biggest artists in the UK! Find out more about her journey to fame...
How old is RAYE?
RAYE was born on 24th October 1997, making her 28-years-old. She took to her socials the day before her 28th birthday in 2025 to share that she would be spending the day in the recording studio, working on her second album!
Where is she from?
RAYE was born in Tooting, South London, and her family moved to Croydon when she was young.
RAYE: New music in 2025
RAYE released 'Where Is My Husband!' to instant acclaim in September 2025, going Silver in the UK a month later and Gold in November. The upbeat track, which is in the big band style we've come to love from RAYE, was released alongside a music video AND the news that her second album is on the way, to the delight of fans around the world. And, unsurprisingly, it's been a MAJOR hit on TikTok!
RAYE: How she got famous and her impressive career timeline so far:
Before 2014: RAYE
RAYE loved performing from an early age, revealing in an interview that she wanted to be a singer from eight-years-old. She attended the prestigious BRIT School, but decided to leave. She explained in an interview with the BBC: "I did two years and learned an extensive amount... but nobody there liked pop music. It's all cool, underground, indie artists. I felt confined. I was ready to get out."
2014: RAYE released 'Welcome to the Winter'
RAYE uploaded her debut EP 'Welcome to the Winter' to SoundCloud in December 2014, which contained a total of seven tracks including 'Flowers' and 'Alien'. After being discovered by Olly Alexander of Years and Years fame, Raye was signed to their label, Polydor Records, later covering their track 'Shine' and performing as a support act for them.
2016: RAYE released 'I, U, Us'
After noticing her vocals on 'Welcome to the Winter', Charli XCX worked with RAYE on 'I, U, Us', directing her music video. This was the start of a beautiful collaborative relationship between the pair, as RAYE would later work with Charli, co-writing her song 'After The Afterparty'.
2016: Jonas Blue released 'By Your Side' featuring RAYE
'By Your Side' gave RAYE her first bit of true chart success as the song with Jonas Blue went to Number 15 in the UK. It was the third single on Jonas' debut album 'Blue'.
2016: Jax Jones and RAYE released 'You Don't Know Me"
Following her collab with Jonas Blue, RAYE saw a huge rise in popularity after featuring on Jax Jones' total earworm, 'You Don't Know Me', which reached Number 3 in the UK and has since been certified 3x Platinum in the UK with a whopping 1.8 MILLION UK sales.
2017: RAYE released 'Decline' with Mr Eazi
RAYE had even more chart success in 2017 - this time, for the first time, as a lead artist. She released 'Decline' with Mr Eazi and the song reached Number 15 in the UK. It was then that she revisited Charli XCX and 'After The Afterparty' - co-writing the track and even appearing on the 'VIP' version of the song alongside Rita Ora and Stefflon Don. Additionally, she appeared in the music video for Stormzy's 'Big For Your Boots'.
2018: RAYE writes songs for Little Mix's 'LM5' album
RAYE proved she isn't just a talented singer - she's also a highly skilled songwriter. The artist worked on Little Mix's album 'LM5' saying: "The Little Mix album, I've been writing for that. For every 10 guys there's one girl, everywhere you go," going on to explain that it's important for girls to support each other in the music industry. She also supported Rita Ora and Halsey on tour and even went on her own debut headline tour.
2019: RAYE wrote a song for Beyoncé's album 'The Gift'
Beyoncé starred in the live-action remake of the classic film, The Lion King, and also recorded an album 'The Gift' to accompany the film. The very talented RAYE worked on one of the tracks for 'The Gift'. Speaking about the experience, RAYE said: "She adores the song, we really got on like a house on fire which is absolutely nuts because that's my idol."
2020: More music releases
RAYE released her mini-album 'Euphoric Sad Songs' in November 2020, which included 'Regardless' with Rudimental and 'Secrets' with Kosovo Albanian DJ Regard, with the summer anthem reaching the Top 10 in the UK and landing RAYE her first BRIT Award nomination in 2021 for British Single.
2021: Nominated for two BRIT Awards
RAYE teamed up with dance DJ legend David Guetta and Joel Corry on dancefloor banger, 'Bed'. The song was a commercial success for the trio, reaching Number 3 in the UK as well as being nominated at the 2022 BRIT Awards for Song of the Year, but lost out to Adele's 'Easy On Me'. RAYE was also nominated for Best Dance Act at the BRITs. She also lent her songwriting skills to Mabel, working with her on 'Let Them Know' alongside MNEK and SG Lewis.
2021: 'Call On Me' and split from label
RAYE released 'Call On Me' in the summer of 2021, telling NME that she wrote the track about her sister: "(She) was going through something pretty intense, and I was so heartbroken for her. The lyrics say just call my phone when you're not ok and I'm gonna be there, help you fix everything that is broken and take care of you." The song was planned as the first single from her debut solo album, but she then revealed that her label had been "withholding" her album "for years". Taking to X (then Twitter) in a series of posts at the time, RAYE explained that she'd 'reached breaking point' and that 'I've done everything (they) asked me, I switched genres, I worked seven days a week. I'm done being a polite pop star.' She later parted ways with the label and became an independent artist.
2022: Independent singles
RAYE released her first solo single as an independent artist - 'Hard Out Here', followed by second single 'Black Mascara' which was very popular. She then released third single 'Escapism', and it's fair to say that was a HUGE hit with fans as the track took over For You Pages on TikTok up and down the country. It quickly shot to the Number 1 spot in the UK Charts, gave RAYE her first ever Number 1 in Ireland - and has since been certified Platinum by the BPI.
2023: RAYE released her debut album
Announcing her debut album in October 2022, RAYE released 'My 21st Century Blues' in February 2023. The tracklist includes 'Hard Out Here', 'Black Mascara' and the viral hit 'Escapism', as well as 'Oscar Winning Tears' and 'Worth It'. The record debuted at Number 2, just pipped to the post by Shania Twain's 'Queen Of Me', but has gone on to be certified Gold in the UK with 100,000 sales.
2023: RAYE embarks on her tour
After announcing her tour in November 2022, RAYE went on the 'My 21st Century Blues Tour' from February 2023 to February 2024, performing over 100 dates in Europe, the UK, Ireland, the US and Canada. She even managed to squeeze in performances as a support act to Lewis Capaldi's tour in support of his second album, 'Broken by Desire to Be Heavenly Sent'.
2023: Performing on the Glastonbury Pyramid Stage
In June 2023, RAYE took to the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury to perform a powerful nine-song set. Opening with 'Oscar Winning Tears', she went on to sing tracks from her debut album including 'Ice Cream Man', 'Mary Jane' and 'Five Star Hotels', before closing with huge tracks 'You Don't Know Me' and the sensational 'Escapism'.
2023: Appears on Louis Theroux Interviews
The exciting news dropped in September 2023 that RAYE would feature on the second season of Louis Theroux Interviews. As per the title, the show sees Louis interview celebrities across the worlds of sport, entertainment and global affairs, exploring their lives and careers so far, including those at pivotal moments in their careers.
BBC Factual wrote: 'In South London Louis meets the newly-independent singer and songwriter, Raye. In a pivotal year that has seen her winning an Ivor Novello and nominated for a Mercury Music Prize, Louis and Raye unpack her journey from her record label split, to her number one single 'Escapism', and a new artistic freedom. Louis also takes to the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury to watch the musician as she marks this new chapter with one of her biggest performances yet.'
2023: RAYE releases an orchestral version of her debut album
RAYE released an orchestral version of her debut album 'My 21st Century Blues'. The singer was accompanied by the Heritage Orchestra and Flames Collective, a 30-piece gospel choir on the album. Taking to Instagram, RAYE expressed how proud she was of her debut album's reworking: 'MY 21st Century Symphony is now yours. 🫀😭 This orchestral album is probably the most magnificent thing I have ever created. I hope you dive into this album on a long drive, a rainy day, a walk in the park or where ever you might desire to digest it 🥹.' (sic)
She also worked with legendary film composer Hans Zimmer on the soundtrack to Planet Earth III, creating song 'Mother Nature'. She wrote on Instagram about the experience: 'Hans Zimmer and me and David Attenborough for Planet Earth 3 🌍😭 @hanszimmer thank you for letting me be part of this. "Forgive us Mother Nature for we know not what we do" ~ this lyric breaks my heart but reflects a series and a subject I'm so passionate about. I am so proud to be part of this, working along side these LEGENDS, and also to bastille for adding to the incredible music & score with Hans. wow 🥺.' (sic)
2024: MOBO Award win
RAYE won her first MOBO Award at the ceremony in February 2024, taking home the gong for Best Female Act and beating competition from the likes of Flo, Jorja Smith, Little Simz, Mahalia and PinkPantheress. As she was on tour at the time, she couldn't make it - but sent in a video message where she thanked her family and expressed how sad she was that she couldn't be there in person.
2024: RAYE picks up six BRIT Awards
RAYE picked up a massive (record-breaking) six BRIT Awards in March 2024, having also broken a record for the most nominations in one year by a single artist. The singer won Song of the Year with Mastercard for 'Escapism', R&B Act, Best New Artist, Songwriter of The Year, Artist of the Year and Mastercard Album of The Year for 'My 21st Century Blues'. She also took to the stage in an incredible performance, singing 'Ice Cream Man', 'Prada', and 'Escapism'.
2024: Support for for Taylor Swift
RAYE performed as a support act alongside Paramore at Taylor Swift's final Wembley date on 'The Eras Tour' in what must have been a career highlight for the singer. She wrote on Instagram: 'so grateful to open for taylorswift so grateful for the festivals and shows, so grateful people actually turn up to see us now, so grateful to be a musician, so grateful instagram let me add more pictures in my dump 🎺🥹🥰 big kiss from me ❤️.' (sic)
2025: RAYE performs at the Oscars
On Monday 3rd March 2025, RAYE joined forces with Blackpink star Lisa and Doja Cat to perform a medley of James Bond theme songs at the Oscars. In a post on Instagram after the event, she said: 'was sooo nervous to sing this song because no one can sing Adele like Adele, but I tried my very best. I am just so grateful to the Oscars Academy for this invitation to sing on this stage.' (sic)
This came after her stunning performance at the Grammys in February, where she performed 'Oscar Winning Tears'. Looking gorgeous in a long, black, sparkly dress, she wowed the star-studded audience. So much so, in fact, footage of a delighted Chappell Roan watching her sing went viral.
2025: Wins a BRIT Award
At the 2025 BRIT Awards with Mastercard, RAYE continued her winning streak, picking up an award for R&B ACT promoted by KISS. She couldn't attend the ceremony in person, as she was in the US for the Oscars, but she sent a video message thanking fans.
2025: Glastonbury Pyramid Stage performance
In March 2025, RAYE was announced as a performer for the 2025 Glastonbury Festival. She performed on the prestigious Pyramid Stage on Saturday 28th June, on the same day as Charli XCX, JADE and Doechii, singing an incredible one-hour set which included songs like 'Oscar Winning Tears', 'Suzanne' - her collaboration with Mark Ronson - 'Worth It', 'You Don't Know Me', 'Black Mascara', 'Prada' and 'Escapism'. She even opened the set by debuting her single 'Where Is My Husband!', released later that year in September 2025.
2025: Ivors Academy Honour announced
In July 2025, RAYE was announced to receive an Ivors Academy Honour, with the ceremony taking place in October 2025. The honour was in recognition for 'her campaigning to drive positive change for songwriters and composers'. Speaking about the award, Roberto Neri, Chief Executive of The Ivors Academy said: "An incredible multi award-winning artist, RAYE is the one of the most gifted songwriters of her generation and always gives full respect and voice to fellow writers. She has consistently called for better pay and greater recognition for songwriters, championing structural change to protect the talent behind the music we love. We're proud to honour her with this well-deserved recognition."
2025: 'Where Is My Husband!', second album and tour announcement
RAYE returned with a bang in Autumn 2025, releasing instant classic 'Where Is My Husband!' which debuted at a very impressive Number 4 in the UK charts. Alongside the release of the earworm, RAYE announced her second album would be released in 2026 AND a huge worldwide tour.
Hilariously, RAYE revealed in an interview on The Graham Norton Show that although she was already taking pre-orders for her second album, she hadn't actually finished writing it yet! She explained that it would be out definitely in the "first half of next year", adding that it's a "beautiful process, but it does take time."
2025: Ivors Academy Honours Ceremony
In July 2025, RAYE was announced to receive an Ivors Academy Honour, with the ceremony taking place in October 2025. The honour was in recognition for 'her campaigning to drive positive change for songwriters and composers'. Speaking about the award, Roberto Neri, Chief Executive of The Ivors Academy said: "An incredible multi award-winning artist, RAYE is the one of the most gifted songwriters of her generation and always gives full respect and voice to fellow writers. She has consistently called for better pay and greater recognition for songwriters, championing structural change to protect the talent behind the music we love. We're proud to honour her with this well-deserved recognition."
She collected her well-deserved award at the ceremony on 2nd October 2025. In her acceptance speech, RAYE called on songwriters to work together: "Songwriters, I just want to encourage us - especially in the publishing splits conversations. This industry has become exceptional at dividing us and putting us against each other. I just want to dig deeper into that again; I just want to encourage us when we we're getting into songwriting splits - call each other up, let's have a conversation about what we're going to go back to the record label with. Instead of being individually manipulated and told, 'If you don't approve this split today, the song's not coming out. If you don't approve this split, we're never using you again.' Those lies and manipulation tactics need to just be over. So songwriters, let's eliminate the grey areas, let's eliminate us fighting against each other and let's turn the good fight to the record labels that are going to have to continue to understand that we're not going to stop until songwriters are correctly compensated for their songs."
How many BRIT Awards has RAYE won?
RAYE not only broke the record for the most BRIT nominations in one year, she made history by winning six awards and becoming the first artist to win so many in one year.
In 2024, she was nominated for Artist of the Year, Mastercard Album of the Year, Best New Artist, Song of The Year with Mastercard (‘Prada’ and ‘Escapism’), Pop Act, Dance Act, and R&B Act.
Before the awards ceremony, RAYE was announced as the winner of the Songwriter of the Year award, and on the night of the BRITs, she took home Artist of the Year, Mastercard Album of the Year, Best New Artist, Song of The Year with Mastercard (‘Escapism’), and R&B Act.
And her winning streak continued at the 2025 BRITs too. On 1st March, we saw RAYE go up against Cleo Sol, FLO, Jorja Smith and Michael Kiwanuka for R&B Act promoted by KISS — and come out victorious!
Throughout the years, RAYE has also been nominated for other BRIT Awards. 'You Don't Know Me' with Jax Jones in 2018, 'Secrets' with Regard in 2021 and 'Bed' with David Guetta and Joel Corry in 2022, were all nominated for British Single of The Year. 'Bed' was also nominated for Best Dance Act.
Her debut album
RAYE released her debut album 'My 21st Century Blues' on 3rd February 2023. Prior to its release, the singer released three huge tracks from the album - 'Hard Out Here', 'Black Mascara' and the viral Number 1 hit 'Escapism' with 070 Shake. RAYE later went on to release an orchestral version of 'My 21st Century Blues' in October 2023.
In March 2024, 'My 21st Century Blues' won a BRIT Award for Mastercard Album of the Year, and her song 'Escapism' won Song of the Year with Mastercard.
When is RAYE's second album coming out?
RAYE confirmed after the release of 'Where Is My Husband!' that pre-order for her second album was open - although she confirmed on The Graham Norton Show that she hadn't even finished it yet! She did say it would be out in the "first half of 2026".
Is she on tour?
She certainly will be soon! RAYE announced that she'll be heading out on a gigantic worldwide tour at the start of 2026, taking her 'This Tour May Contain New Music' tour to Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, London and Dublin. She's also performing across Europe before she comes to the UK in February 2026.
Which are her biggest songs?
RAYE has had a number of successful songs, including BRIT nominated hits 'You Don't Know Me' with Jax Jones and 'Bed' with David Guetta and Joel Corry. Both of those songs featuring RAYE got to Number 3 in the UK.
'Escapism'
The massive track 'Escapism' has become one of her most popular yet, thanks to the song going viral on TikTok. Both the unedited songs, as well as a sped up version, quickly dominated the app, with the singer later thanking fans for the love.
'Escapism' achieved such huge success on TikTok that it was among the UK's top 10 most popular songs on the platform in 2023.
After climbing its way up the charts, RAYE bagged herself her first Number 1 on 6th January 2023 with 'Escapism'. It was certified 3x Platinum in November 2024.
'The Weekend' with Stormzy
In July 2023, RAYE teamed up with Stormzy on 'The Weekend'. The track combines Stormzy's rap with RAYE's soulful vocals. The pair both feature in the official music video for the song.
Announcing the track's release on social media, RAYE revealed that she had previously worked with Stormzy. She wrote: 'a full circle moment tbh stormz jumped on a song of mine called ambition 7 years ago, and in the lyrics I'm talking bout how huge my dreams are, and it's wild to see how God has blessed us since.' (sic)
'Prada' with cassö and D-Block Europe
RAYE released 'Prada' in August 2023 with cassö and D-Block Europe, and it became a huge hit, reaching Number 2 in the UK. The song is a remix of D-Block Europe's 'Ferrari Horses'.
Who has RAYE written songs for?
RAYE has written for a number of popular artists such as Little Mix, Rihanna, Beyoncé and Perrie Edwards' debut solo album. Details of this new song have yet to be released.
According to reports, RAYE also leant her songwriting talents to Jade Thirlwall, as she reportedly helped her pen the track 'Midnight Cowboy', which was released in September 2024.
Find out which other artists RAYE has written songs for.
What is her net worth?
heat’s Rich List 2025 was released in October 2025, showing the wealthiest 30-under-30 celebrities in the UK and Ireland. RAYE appeared at Number 14 on the list, worth an estimated £5.5m.
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