Music
The Video Diaries
The Video Diaries: Raye
Key moments in the career of superstar singer-songwriter Raye, caught on camera
After a decade-long struggle for recognition in the industry, Raye made history in 2024 when she broke the record for most wins at a single Brit Awards Ceremony. The journey towards scooping up those six trophies was a long one, featuring a withheld debut album, a departure from a major label and a gamble on a career as an independent artist. The investment paid off in more ways than one – a look back through the archives reveals a young woman who spent years turning raw talent into total command over her artistry. Here are some of the key moments in the creation of Raye, caught on camera.
2015 – ‘Alien’
After a few Soundcloud releases, Raye made her major label debut thanks in part to Years & Years lead singer Olly Alexander, who flagged her work to the label he was signed to, Polydor. ‘Alien’ was Raye’s first single under Polydor, and although her phenomenal vocals are still recognisable, the music video feels like it comes from a different artist altogether. Dreamy, nostalgic and low budget it features a 17-year-old Raye dressed simply with her natural curls out, wandering dreamily through a park. It’s not your standard pop debut, not just because of its surreal imagery. It’s easy to believe that Polydor wasn’t quite sure what to do with Raye even then.
2018 – ‘You Don’t Know Me’ live at Summertime Ball
A year after ‘Alien’, Raye would get a major break in the form of a feature on Jax Jones’ ‘You Don’t Know Me’, which peaked at No.3 on the UK Singles Chart. She would continue to collect these dance features in the years to come, frequently turning club bangers to magic, but seldom receiving the recognition she deserved. This set at Wembley Stadium for the 2018 Summertime Ball shows a young artist who knows how to deliver a solid live vocal but is still evolving into the uber-confident performer she is today.
2020 – ‘Secrets’
This 2020 single with DJ Regard saw Raye named as a collaborator rather than just a feature, something she expressed gratitude for in interviews. The retro-sounding club-track was another big hit for the singer, topping the UK Dance Chart. The futuristic music video follows the adventures of a masked motorcyclist, with Raye singing to him out of TV screens. ‘Secrets’ would go on to be nominated for Song of the Year at the 2021 Brit Awards, three years before Raye swept the ceremony.
2021 – ‘Bed’
![Joel Corry x RAYE x David Guetta - BED [Official Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/mD2a9YzKV3w/0.jpg)
‘Bed’ with Joel Corry and David Guetta became Raye’s highest charting single as a lead artist at that point in her career, although of course she would go on to move the goalposts again with her independent work. The video is something new from the singer, a jokey Black Mirror-esque concept centring on a factory that produces robotic companions in the shape of Raye and Joel Corry.
2022 – ‘Hard Out Here’
After years of frustration under a major label and the feeling that her debut album was never going to be released, ‘Hard Out Here’ was Raye’s first single as an independent artist. The singer was ready to be vocal about her struggle behind the scenes and promises an album full of unflinching honesty in this lead single, with a video that sees her trying on the various pop star personas she feels were forced on her. The identity crisis in the visuals is ironic – this is a track that could only have been made by an artist who knows exactly who she is.
2022 – ‘Escapism.’
Three months after the release of ‘Escapism.’, the track went unexpectedly viral on TikTok. It was this song that would make Raye’s career. The enormous success of ‘Escapism.’ built phenomenal hype around My 21st Century Blues, and listeners responded to everything that had made Raye difficult to categorise as an artist: the song’s experimental structure, the merging of genres, and the unflinching honesty in the lyrics. The music video expands on the song’s narrative, depicting a messy night out in which Raye loses herself in self-destructive behaviour. It was Raye’s first No.1 single in the UK and won her Song Of The Year at the 2024 Brit Awards.
2023 – ‘Ice Cream Man’ live at Glastonbury
In 2023, Raye made it to the Pyramid Stage, performing tracks from the debut album she thought she’d never get to release. The emotional speech that precedes this performance of ‘Ice Cream Man’ details just some of the obstacles she faces to get there, whilst the song tackles the abuse and gendered violence that she was exposed to as a young artist trying to make it in the industry. “This song is called ‘Ice Cream Man’, and I’m going to sing it for you right now with my entire heart,” she says, before she precedes to do exactly that.
2023 – ‘Oscar Winning Tears’ live at the Royal Albert Hall
In October 2023, Raye released her first live album, recorded during a special one night only performance at the Royal Albert Hall. Accompanied by the Heritage Orchestra and 30-member gospel choir the Flames Collective, My 21st Century Symphony is a reimagining of the singer’s debut album, and was described by Raye as “the most magnificent thing” she’s ever created. Opening number ‘Oscar Winning Tears’ is one of her most viewed live performances of all time.
2024 – Brit Awards Medley
At the 2024 Brit Awards Ceremony, Raye performed a medley of songs, beginning with a piano rendition of ‘Ice Cream Man’ and then moving on to ‘Prada’, ‘Genesis’ and ‘Escapism’. That night, Raye would go on to win Song of the Year for ‘Escapism’, along with Best Pop Act, Best R&B Act, British Artist of the Year, Best New Artist and Album of the Year. Her tearful acceptance speech for this last was particularly memorable, with her grandmother joining her onstage.
2025 – ‘Where The Hell Is My Husband’ live at Glastonbury
Making a return to the Pyramid Stage at this year’s Glastonbury Festival, Raye performed new track ‘Where The Hell Is My Husband’ with a full brass band. The vintage-inspired performance features an opening skit with the band in disarray, before Raye launches into the upbeat track. The single is fixed for release 19 September.
