British Singer RAYE’s Path to Independence: From Record Label Split to Grammy Nomination
British singer RAYE (real name Rachel Keen) publicly expressed her dissatisfaction in 2021 and chose to go independent after seven years with Polydor Records. Following this move, she released her debut album, ‘My 21st Century Blues,’ with the single ‘Escapism’ becoming a UK chart-topper and earning her multiple international awards. Her career trajectory shifted from frustration during her label years to a major breakthrough as an independent artist, recently earning Grammy nominations and planning a new tour.
Record Label Years and Breaking Point
RAYE signed with Polydor Records in 2014, a label also home to artists like Billie Eilish. During this period, she co-wrote several hit songs for artists such as Beyoncé, John Legend, and Charli XCX. However, the label’s long-term refusal to approve her debut album led to growing frustration. In June 2021, RAYE posted a series of tweets expressing her disappointment with the label’s decisions, stating she had multiple albums ready but was unable to release them. A few weeks later, she and Polydor Records reached a mutual agreement to part ways, allowing her to retain her music rights.
Breakthrough with Debut Independent Album
After becoming an independent artist, RAYE released her first studio album, ‘My 21st Century Blues,’ in 2023. The album’s single ‘Escapism’ (feat. 070 Shake) topped the UK charts and became a long-lasting hit. The album, which incorporates her personal experiences including emotional recovery and past trauma, received critical and popular acclaim. In 2024, she released the single ‘Genesis,’ a seven-minute piece expressing the theme of rebirth from adversity.
Awards and International Recognition
In 2024, RAYE received seven nominations at the Brit Awards and won six, including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year, setting a record for the most wins in a single night. In 2025, she earned three Grammy Award nominations for Best New Artist, Songwriter of the Year (Non-Classical), and Best Engineered Album (Non-Classical). That same year, she released the single ‘Where Is My Husband!,’ which garnered billions of streams on global platforms.
Recent Performances and Future Plans
In 2025, RAYE participated in several high-profile events, including performing on American television, headlining a concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall, and serving as an opening act for Taylor Swift’s tour. She plans to embark on a tour in 2026 titled ‘This Tour May Contain New Music,’ covering multiple locations in Europe and North America. She is also preparing her second album; although briefly delayed due to the loss of personal items, production resumed in 2025.
