Rachel Agatha Keen professionally known as RAYE is a celebrated English singer and songwriter. She is best renowned for her charming vocals and emotional performances. Keen ascended to fame in 2016 following her guest features on You Don’t Know Me by Jax Jones and Jonas Blue’s By Your Side. She attained more popularity with her singles Secrets (2020) featuring Regard and Bed (2021) with David Guetta and Joel Corry. Her music is a variety Pop, R&B and Dance genres. Moreover, RAYE can excellently playing numerous instruments including flute, piano, cello and guitar.
Born and brought up in a musical family and developed love for music from an early age. She began writing songs as early as age 10. Her family musical tradition goes back to her grandfather who was a songwriter. Additionally, her father was the church choir music director while her mother sang in the choir. RAYE’s family has been her greatest source of inspiration with her main music influences being Lauryn Hill and Drake.
Before arising to fame as a solo artist, RAYE wrote songs for other musicians including Rihanna, Beyonce, John Legend, Ellie Goulding, Little Mix and David Guetta.
RAYE has received multiple accolades in her music career including six BRIT awards, four Global awards and the prestigious Brit Billion Award.
Recording labels
Polydor and Human Re Sources
Age and Birthday
Born in Tooting, London in England on 24 October 1997, Rachel is 26 years old as of 2024.
Religion
The English star Artist is a Christian.
RAYE Family
Rachel is born to Paul and Sarah Keen. Her father is of English heritage while the mother is of Ghanian-Swiss descent.
She has three younger sisters; Abby, Lauren and Katelyn. Abby (professionally known as Absolutely) is a singer and songwriter and while Lauren is an upcoming songwriter.
RAYE Career
Early days, debut and second EPs and breakthrough: 2014-2017
RAYE began songwriting at the age of 10 and spent her teenage years learning about professional songwriting and taking studio sessions on weekends. She dropped her debut Extended Play, Welcome to Winter at age 17 in December 2014. Her second EP, Second was released in August 2016.
Moreover, she featured on singles By Your Side by Jonas Blue and You Don’t Know Me by Jax Jones in October and December 2016 respectively. Both tracks peaked at number 15 and 3 respectively on the UK Singles Chart with the latter being awarded BPI double Platinum certification. It is by these pair of collaborations that RAYE made her breakthrough in music.
Her debut headline concert was in February 2017 in XOYO, London. Later that year, released three more singles The Line, Sober and Decline (with Mr. Eazi). The latter peaked the UK Singles Chart at number 15 and was certified Platinum.
Third EP, mini-album and collaborations: 2018-2020
In May 2018, RAYE, dropped her third EP titled Side Tape and included among other tracks chart topping singles Cigarette and Check (done with Kojo Funds). She as well collaborated with numerous artists including Maleek Berry and Nana Rogues in Confidence and David Guetta in Stay (Don’t Go Away) and Make It to Heaven.
Tequila featuring Jax Jones and Martin Solveig was released in 2020. It achieved a Gold certification in UK after peaking in number 21 in the UK Singles Chart. Moreover, it featured in top 20 in Scotland and Ireland .In November 2020, Rachel dropped her maiden mini-album titled Euphoric Sad Songs. It contained hits such as Love me Again, Secrets, Love of Your Life and Please Don’t Touch.
Departure from Polydor and debut studio album: 2021-present
In February 2021, RAYE collaborated with Joel Corry and David Guetta in the single Bed. The track peak at number 3 on the UK Singles Chart the highest ranking by any of her singles. She confirmed in July 2021 that she would be leaving Polydor to work independently. Rachel consummated the year on her Euphoric Sad Show headline tour in the UK and Ireland.
RAYE’s maiden single as an independent artist was Hard Out Here, dropped in June 2022 followed by Black Mascara in August. Escapism (done with 070 Shake) and The Thrill is Gone were released later in the year. The four formed part her debut studio album titled My 21st Century Blues dropped in February 2023. Escapism achieved massive success becoming RAYE’s first song to top the UK Singles Chart and her debut entry on the US Billboard Hot 100. Moreover, it became her career’s best ever charting single across the world so far.
RAYE Awards and Achievements
In the 2024 BRIT Awards, she won in six categories and made history as the first female artist to win the Songwriter of the Year. Her single Escapism done with 070 Shake won the Song of the Year. Other categories she immerged victorious include Album of the Year, Best Pop Act, Best R&B Act, Best Dance of the Year and Best New Artist.
Moreover, in 2024 Global Awards, she bagged the awards for Best song, Best British Act and Best Pop. She was among the first receipts of the Brits Billion Award in 2023. Other awards RAYE has bagged in her career are BMI Film and TV Award, MOBO Award and Ivor Novello Award.
RAYE Net Worth
The gifted vocalist and songwriter as an estimated net worth of $6-$10 million.