Born Rachel Agatha Keen on October 24, 1997, in South London, RAYE is a British singer-songwriter celebrated for her genre-defying music that blends R&B, pop, soul, dance, and jazz. Known for hits like “You Don’t Know Me” and “Escapism,” RAYE has become one of the most prominent voices in contemporary music. Her debut album My 21st Century Blues (2023) marked a turning point in her career, earning critical acclaim and multiple awards, including six BRIT Awards in 2024.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Rachel Agatha Keen |
| Date of Birth | October 24, 1997 |
| Place of Birth | Tooting, London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Partner | Not publicly disclosed |
| Occupations | Singer, Songwriter |
| Labels | Formerly Polydor Records, now independent (Human Re Sources) |
| Net Worth | Estimated between $6 million and $10 million USD |
Early Life and Education
RAYE grew up in Croydon, South London, in a family deeply rooted in music. Her father was a worship leader, her mother sang in the choir, and her grandfather was a songwriter.
She began writing songs at the age of 10 and attended Woodcote High School before enrolling at the prestigious BRIT School at 14. However, she left after two years, feeling creatively restricted. Her early exposure to music and her family’s influence shaped her artistic journey.
Career
RAYE released her first EP Welcome to the Winter in 2014 as a free download on SoundCloud.
In 2016, she gained recognition with her label debut EP Second under Polydor Records and collaborations on hits like “By Your Side” with Jonas Blue and “You Don’t Know Me” with Jax Jones. The latter reached number three on the UK Singles Chart and was certified double platinum.
Her third EP Side Tape (2018) featured hits like “Decline” (featuring Mr Eazi), which was certified platinum. In 2020, she released her mini-album Euphoric Sad Songs, which included hits like “Secrets” with Regard and “Natalie Don’t.”
By 2021, she had collaborated with artists such as David Guetta and Joel Corry on tracks like “Bed,” which peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart.
In 2022, RAYE left Polydor Records to pursue an independent career under Human Re Sources.
Her debut independent single “Hard Out Here” was followed by viral hits like “Escapism” featuring 070 Shake, which became her first UK number-one single and charted globally.
Her debut studio album My 21st Century Blues (2023) peaked at number two on the UK Albums Chart and received widespread critical acclaim. The album was supported by two major tours: The Story So Far Tour (2023) and My 21st Century Blues Tour (2023–2024).
As of 2025, RAYE continues to dominate the music scene with her innovative sound and storytelling.
Personal Life
RAYE keeps her personal life private. She is currently unmarried and has no children as of March 2025. While she has been linked to notable figures like Canadian rapper Drake (2018) and British singer-songwriter Sam Fender (2022), there has been no confirmation of ongoing relationships. She remains focused on her music career.
RAYE Net Worth
RAYE’s estimated net worth ranges between $2.6 million and $3.5 million USD as of 2025. Her income stems from music sales, streaming royalties, live performances, sponsorships, and social media platforms.
Discography
Studio Albums
- My 21st Century Blues (2023)
- Euphoric Sad Songs (2020)
Extended Plays (EPs)
- Welcome to the Winter (2014)
- Second (2016)
- Side Tape (2018)
Notable Singles
- “You Don’t Know Me” (with Jax Jones)
- “Escapism” (featuring 070 Shake)
- “Natalie Don’t”
- “Secrets” (with Regard)
- “Hard Out Here”
Collaborations
- “By Your Side” (with Jonas Blue)
- “Bed” (with Joel Corry & David Guetta)
Awards and Nominations
- BRIT Awards (2024): Won six awards including British Artist of the Year, Best New Artist, Songwriter of the Year, Best R&B Act, British Album of the Year (My 21st Century Blues), and Song of the Year (“Escapism”).
- Mercury Prize Nominee (2023): Shortlisted for My 21st Century Blues.
Other notable awards include seven BRIT Awards in total, four Global Awards, two Ivor Novello Awards, two MTV Europe Music Awards, a South Bank Sky Arts Award, and a MOBO Award for Best Female Act. RAYE also received a BMI London Award for her songwriting contributions to global hits.
