Raye on the fight to release debut album My 21st Century Blues: ‘It’s been a real wild journey’

Published

11 months ago

March 2, 2024

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In 2021, Raye parted ways with her label after claiming on social media that she had been held back from releasing an album. Now, she is a record-breaking Brits nominee with a number one single and MOBO and Ivor Novello awards under her belt. Here is our interview with the star from January 2023, in which she spoke candidly about the fight to make music on her own terms.

Raye is gaining her power back. Not just from the industry that made her feel “mediocre” for so many years, but over past traumas she kept bottled up for a long time.

“Some of my closest friends didn’t even know some of the stuff I’m discussing on my album,” she tells Sky News. “It’s probably the most honest I’ve been. It’s deep and it’s real.”

Raye, real name Rachel Keen, is only 25 but already a music industry veteran; a platinum-selling performer and a songwriter with credits for everyone from Charli XCX and Little Mix to John Legend and Beyonce.

She was just 15 when she released her first song and 17 when all her dreams came true, in the form of a four-album contract with record label Polydor. But after years of what seemed to be a successful career as a vocalist collaborating mainly on other artists’ dance hits, in 2021 she posted a string of tweets claiming the label was holding her back from releasing her own album.

“I’m done being a polite pop star,” she wrote, her frustration and anger palpable. The singer says after years of “trying to make it work”, she had reached the point where she had nothing to lose. “You get to that breaking point, really.”

Shortly after her tweets, it was announced she and Polydor were parting ways, with the label saying the decision had been “amicable and mutual” and wishing her “all the very best for the future”.

Fast-forward to now and Raye is in a very different place; making music as an independent artist, in January 2023 she topped the UK charts for the first time with viral hit Escapism. The following month, the debut album she fought so hard to make, My 21st Century Blues, charted at number two. No longer pigeonholed or stifled, this is the real Raye, she says, and it’s been a long time coming.

“The album is discussing a lot of different topics… the deepest depths of really ugly stories about assaults and body dysmorphia and environmental anxiety. I think there’s no limit on what I’ve really spoken on in terms of my perspective on my blues as a woman in the 21st Century.”

‘It’s things I’ve been silent about for so long’

Always outspoken, Raye is not an artist who sticks to trotting out lines of approved PR-speak when she’s being interviewed, and this candidness is evident throughout her music. “Being real and transparent is really important to me, to skip out metaphors and similes and cut straight to the point of what I’m talking about,” she says. “Some of these things I haven’t also entirely healed from.

“It’s definitely going to be a rollercoaster for sure, but one that I’m making the decision to go on. That’s kind of the artist I like to be, transparent, honest. I think that’s what I’m like in real life.”

One song, Ice Cream Man, deals with sexual assault. “It’s things I’ve been silent about for so long and swallowed for so long and self-managed for so long in non-constructive ways,” she says.

“I’ve written pretty transparently about sexual violence… multiple things that occur in a life that you just bury, bury down, hide in a box, don’t tell anyone. And it just festers and manipulates itself into something quite ugly.”

As with Escapism, a dark electro banger about using alcohol, drugs and casual sex as coping mechanisms for dealing with emotional pain, the album is a contrast of often melancholy or dark lyrics, with beats that will fill a dance floor, as well as a range of genres.

“You’ve got songs with a contrasting sonic landscape,” she says. “I find it really exciting to tell a story and then the music feel the opposite so I think there’s a lot of juxtaposition there.”

Irony in its ‘most hilarious and ridiculous form’

Escapism’s success feels ironic to Raye. “With the previous music, not in a bad way, but it was more about the song than about the artist. The big dance songs or whatever, they don’t necessarily say anything about me as a person. I never necessarily wanted to be someone who did huge, huge hits, but without depth and substance or discussing things I’m passionate about, or breaking a couple of rules.

“Escapism is such a personal story. It’s kind of dark. It’s extremely explicit and honest and raw… I really told myself on the beginning of this next chapter, I’m not creating music with the intent or purpose to sell loads of copies, it’s about integrity and telling these uncomfortable stories that I think are really important.

“I had all the preparation in the world for building a small, steady fanbase bit by bit, and to not expect anything in terms of mainstream reflection. So this is like irony in its most hilarious and ridiculous form, that this is the biggest song of my entire career.”

Despite it not necessarily being the plan, she admits topping the charts does feel like vindication.

“[I feel] like anything is possible and I was right to back myself,” she says. “Never give up on your dreams. For someone who [felt] so, like, mediocre and… such a disappointment, actually, for so long, to just receive all the affirmation in the world that I was right to back my music is just…”

She doesn’t need to finish the sentence. “For someone who puts words together for a living, I don’t necessarily really have the best words to describe how crazy this is.”

‘Fear is the driving factor of secrets’

Emboldened, Raye says artists need to speak out more about the inner workings of the industry. And despite moves to improve diversity and equality making headlines in recent years, she says misogyny is still rife.

“We do need to be telling these stories more,” she says. “I think things that happen in the darkness have so much more power than they do when they’re brought out to the light, you know? Fear is the driving factor of secrets, and truths and stories being withheld. But there is still that very sad view that women need to be guided and controlled and taught and given instructions to follow and meet these requirements.”

She sighs. “I don’t know… I think it’s probably the same for all artists but especially for women, especially for everything I’ve witnessed in 10 years in the industry. I think a lot needs to change, but I don’t think anything will truly be equal and fair until we’ve got the same amount of female CEOs as we do male CEOs, we’ve got the same amount of female staff working a video shoot as male staff, the same amount of female A&Rs, and the same amount of, you know, different ethnicities in these same roles.

“Balance overall is so important, and until we have that, there’s always going to be issues and problems when you have men deciding what they think is best for women.”

Read more from Sky News entertainment:

Self Esteem on not being cool, not having her bum pinched, and not being completely skint
How deafness helped artist James Vickery find his musical sound

Raye is looking to the future. She says she has had little communication with her former label bosses since she left, but wants to make it clear it wasn’t all bad. There were “some great people there who really believed in me… but obviously it came down to the big people making big decisions”, she says.

I ask her about the artwork for My 21st Century Blues. It features a little girl, dressed for the workplace but teetering in red stilettos hanging off her heels, standing atop a pile of instruments and recording equipment bearing the names of her songs, grabbing hands reaching out from inside. It feels poignant.

“That’s actually my baby sister on top of that big structure we built,” says Raye. “But that little girl up there is me, you know, seven years old, wide-eyed with a dream, not realising what the next 10 or 15 years of my life would be like.

“All the different life – in the industry and out of the industry – that I’ve had to navigate, process, understand, learn in my transition to being a woman, to being an artist, to being an independent artist. It’s been a real wild journey.”

Raye’s debut album, My 21st Century Blues, is out now

Entertainment

Kay Burley retires from Sky News after 36 years

Published

4 hours ago

February 5, 2025

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Kay Burley retires from Sky News after 36 years

Kay Burley has announced she is retiring from Sky News after 36 years at the broadcaster.

Burley, 64, was part of the team that launched Sky News in 1989 and has been the face of the channel ever since, covering royal events, general elections and other major stories.

Closing her final show on the Sky News Breakfast programme, she said: “From a standing start to one of the most recognised and valued brands in global news, it’s been an honour and privilege to work with some of the best and hardest working teams in the business.

“News by its very nature is often devastating and together we’ve covered so many life-changing events – from the tragic death of Diana, the shocking terror attack of 9/11; the Asian Tsunami; the Concorde air disaster.

“But we’ve also enjoyed some wonderful high notes too, haven’t we – the thrill of London winning the chance to host the 2012 Olympics; a plethora of royal weddings; jubilees and who can forget days and days and DAYS waiting for royal babies to arrive at the Lindo Wing.

“But after over a million minutes of live TV news – more than anyone else in the world – it’s time for me to indulge in some of my other passions – including my love for travel.

“So, after covering 12 separate general elections – including Sir Keir Starmer’s victory last year – I am retiring from Sky News – let politicians of every party just rejoice at that news!

“Thank you for waking up and tuning in every morning. I can’t tell you how much I have appreciated your support over the last three and a half decades: You’re awesome.

“I will post more on my social media and hope to see you around. Please keep in touch.”

‘Unmatched legacy’

Raised in Wigan, Lancashire, Burley took her first steps into journalism at 17, reporting for the Wigan Evening Post and Chronicle.

She secured a job with the BBC on its local radio stations and then on a local TV before being recruited by Scottish broadcaster Andrew Neil and moved to the fledgling Sky News in the 1980s as one of its founding presenters.

Her live coverage of 9/11 won Sky News a BAFTA award.

David Rhodes, executive chairman of Sky News, said: “With millions of minutes presenting live rolling news, Kay’s legacy in television journalism is unmatched, as is her commitment to Sky’s legacy. And I’m sure some MPs in Westminster will sleep easy knowing they won’t face her indomitable questioning in the mornings.”

He added: “We thank Kay for her huge contribution to Sky, to the art of the interview and to British journalism. And we wish her the best of luck.”

Former Sky News editor-at-large Adam Boulton posted on X: “The one and only Kay Burley announces she is leaving Sky News.

“Kay is unique, there are no other women of her background who have had such an impact on British News and current affairs. We have been friends and colleagues for forty years. Onward Kay I know it’s going to be exciting!”

Sky News’s political editor Beth Rigby said: “No one does live telly like Kay Burley. Our anchor woman for decades, Kay’s has been THE face of Sky News for as long as I can remember.”

Rigby added: “She’s been a trailblazer & inspiration to a whole generation of women. You’re one of a kind.”

Former Sky News journalist Simon McCoy shared an image on X from when he worked with Burley and wrote: “That’s how long she worked at Sky News!

“Wishing Kay Burley all the best for whatever comes next.”

Sky News business presenter Ian King posted on X: “It is impossible to overstate the achievements of my brilliant and supportive friend @KayBurley.

“No one in the world has clocked up as many hours of live television. No doubt politicians will be glad she is leaving – her loyal viewers will not.”

Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid called Burley “a fierce advocate for viewers, a powerful interviewer and a supporter of women in television”.

Reid wrote on X: “That she gets her own #BreakingNews announcement is testament to @KayBurley impact on news journalism… She is going to be hugely missed from our screens. Good luck Kay.”

Former BBC Newsnight producer Sam McAlister said she was “devastated” by the “absolute icon” retiring from Sky News.

McAlister wrote on X: “Genuinely devastated to hear about @KayBurley leaving @SkyNews.

“An absolute icon. Smart as hell, sharp as they come, bloody amazing company.

“Always a total inspiration to me as a single parent and woman from a different background.

“A sad day.”

Entertainment

Hollywood stars set to light up Glasgow Film Festival

Published

4 hours ago

February 5, 2025

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Hollywood stars set to light up Glasgow Film Festival

James McAvoy, Tim Roth, Jessica Lange and Ed Harris are among a raft of Hollywood stars set to tread the red carpet at this year’s Glasgow Film Festival.

The event – scheduled to take place between 26 February and 9 March – will feature 13 world and European premieres, 66 UK premieres and 12 Scottish premieres from 38 countries.

Glasgow Film Festival (GFF) will open with the world premiere of thriller Tornado, with Pulp Fiction actor Roth set to be joined by Scottish director John Maclean and Japanese co-stars Koki and Takehiro Hira.

Harris and Lange will attend the UK premiere of Long Day’s Journey Into Night, the big-screen adaptation of Eugene O’Neill’s seminal American play.

Academy Award-winner Lange will also appear in a special In Conversation event where she will reflect on her career, which kickstarted with the 1976 movie King Kong.

Lange has picked up numerous awards over the years, including two Oscars for Tootsie and Blue Sky.

She also has eight Emmy and Golden Globe awards, some of which were won due to her performances in TV anthology American Horror Story.

Meanwhile, Formula One champion Damon Hill will attend the world premiere of Sky’s new documentary Hill.

The film, featuring intimate interviews with the sportsman and his family, will tell the story of how he overcame losing his legendary father Graham Hill in a plane crash to follow in his footsteps to become a world champion driver himself.

A host of homegrown talent will also light up the festival.

X-Men: First Class star McAvoy will introduce a special screening of his breakthrough role in 2006 film The Last King Of Scotland, while 1917 actor George MacKay returns to the festival with the Scottish premiere of the post-apocalyptic musical The End.

In addition, Line Of Duty star Martin Compston will be joined by James Cosmo and Solly McLeod at the world premiere of the first episode of new Amazon Studios-produced thriller Fear, which was shot in Glasgow’s West End.

Meanwhile, Martyn Robertson’s Make It To Munich will have its world premiere as part of the closing gala.

The inspiring documentary tells the tale of Scottish teenager Ethan Walker, who just months after nearly losing his life in a traffic accident, embarked on a charity cycle from Glasgow’s Hampden Park to Munich for Scotland’s opening game of Euro 2024 against Germany.

Allison Gardner, chief executive of organiser Glasgow Film and director of GFF, said: “I cannot begin to say how excited I am by the brilliant programme we have curated, the breadth of films on offer genuinely has something for everyone.

“We’re also thrilled to bring a host of well-known faces to Scotland, to tread the red carpet outside the city’s iconic Glasgow Film Theatre.”

Ms Gardner plans to retire after the festival, following more than 30 years at Glasgow Film.

She added: “Everyone across Glasgow Film works very hard to make the magic happen and I cannot thank all my colleagues enough for their hard work, enthusiasm and sheer brilliance in making this not only a great festival to attend, but a friendly and supportive environment to work in.

“I shall be sad that this is my last festival as I’ve had so many magical moments over the years, but I know the great work we have done will ensure that audiences, filmmakers and industry colleagues will continue to support what I consider to be the best film festival in the world.”

Entertainment

Ozzy Osbourne to reunite with Black Sabbath for ‘final bow’ performance

Published

7 hours ago

February 5, 2025

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Ozzy Osbourne to reunite with Black Sabbath for 'final bow' performance

Ozzy Osbourne is set to reunite with his Black Sabbath bandmates for what will be his final performance – “the greatest heavy metal show ever”.

The announcement was made by the star’s wife Sharon Osbourne and bandmate Tony Iommi at Villa Park in Birmingham, which will host the gig on 5 July.

The Back To The Beginning show will be the heavy metal band’s first performance together in 20 years, with original stars Osbourne, Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward.

It will also feature sets from acts including Metallica, Slayer, Alice In Chains and a “supergroup of musicians” including Duff McKagan and Slash (Guns ‘n’ Roses), Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins), Fred Durst (Limp Bizkit) and Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine).

Osbourne, 76, who has faced health problems including Parkinson’s disease in recent years, will play his own short set before joining his bandmates “for his final bow”.

Profits will be shared between Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn’s Children’s Hospice, organisers said.

“It’s my time to go Back to the Beginning, time for me to give back to the place where I was born,” Osbourne said in a statement. “How blessed am I to do it with the help of people whom I love.

“Birmingham is the true home of metal. Birmingham forever.”

In 2023, Osbourne told fans he was no longer “physically capable” of performing shows he had planned in Europe and the UK, saying he “never imagined” his touring days would “have ended this way”.

The singer had extensive spinal surgery after a fall at home in 2019 aggravated injuries he suffered in a near-fatal quad bike crash in 2003.

Despite his health problems, he has appeared at some one-off shows in recent years – including the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022 and at half-time during an NFL game in California in the same year.

Black Sabbath formed in Birmingham in 1968 and went on to become one of the most successful metal bands of all time, selling more than 75 million albums worldwide over the years.

Morello, who is also music director for the reunion show, said: “This will be the greatest heavy metal show ever.”

Other acts confirmed for the gig include Pantera, Gojira, Halestorm, Lamb Of God, Anthrax and Mastodon.

More names will be announced shortly, organisers said.

Tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday 14 February.