Hailing from South London, more specifically Croydon, Raye (real name – Rachel Keen) has seen her stocks rise exponentially over the past 6 months or so. Her debut EP ‘Welcome To The Winter’ garnered a whirlwind of critical acclaim in 2014, with latest track ‘Flowers’ only adding to the excitement earlier this year.
At only 17 years of age, Raye is something of an anomaly for someone of her tender age, showing early signs of incomparable potential. Brought up in a musical family – her parents met at church – both of them musicians in the parish, with her musical heritage going right back to her Grandfather, who was a songwriter and musician in his own right.
Writing and recording her own music since the age of 10, Raye is no stranger to the world she now finds herself in. Brought up on the classic soul/jazz maestros of the 40’s and 50’s like Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole etc – this is where her love for songwriting and melody began. Since then her influences have aligned with the times, citing Drake, The Weeknd, and her all time hero Lauryn Hill as huge sources of inspiration.
