Who influenced Raye, and what came after

Every connection with its receipt

Raye's path runs from South London church pews and the BRIT School through seven years of label limbo at Polydor to the self-released, self-funded 'My 21st Century Blues' — a record that swept the 2024 BRIT Awards. The mix traces her jazz-and-soul foundations, her dance-pop songwriting apprenticeship, and the independent-artist template she left behind.

The Kynda mix for Raye

• Key Influence · Lady in Satin by Billie Holiday (1958). Raye has repeatedly named Billie Holiday as her formative vocal touchstone, and the torch-song phrasing of her live shows — the cabaret staging, the band-led arrangements, the deliberate behind-the-beat delivery on tracks like 'Ice Cream Man' — descends directly from this tradition. 'Lady in Satin', Holiday's late, strings-draped confessional of a damaged voice turned into instrument, is the clearest template for Raye's conversion of trauma into jazz vocal performance.','
• Influencia Obscura · The Pearl Fishers by Georges Bizet (1863). Raye's mother is Swiss-Ghanaian and her maternal grandmother a classical singer; opera and choral music were part of her childhood listening alongside gospel. That training surfaces in her unusual command of legato and dynamic swell live — the sustained operatic belt that closes 'Oscar Winning Tears' owes more to art-song technique than to pop. Bizet's duet 'Au fond du temple saint' is the kind of repertoire that lived in that household.','
• Local Roots · Nothing Great About Britain by Slowthai (2019). Raye grew up in Tooting, South London, and came up through the same late-2010s British scene that prized unvarnished first-person accounts of national dysfunction. Slowthai's debut made state-of-the-nation anger a pop proposition; Raye's 'Hard Out Here', with its naming of industry men and class resentment, works the same register. The two orbits overlap through the UK festival and awards circuit of those years.','
• Beyond the Medium · Fleabag by Phoebe Waller-Bridge (2016). Raye's songwriting shares Fleabag's device of the confiding aside — the narrator who turns to the audience mid-scene to admit the ugly thing. 'My 21st Century Blues' is framed as a live-club monologue, with Raye introducing herself and addressing listeners directly between songs, and its comedy-adjacent bluntness about sex, grief and self-sabotage belongs to the same British confessional register Waller-Bridge made mainstream.','
• Peer · Prioritise Pleasure by Self Esteem (2021). Rebecca Lucy Taylor's second album arrived from the same British pop moment and the same frustration: a woman in her late twenties writing blunt, theatrical, choral-pop songs about consent, body image and industry condescension after years of being under-served by the machine. Self Esteem and Raye were the two artists most often paired in UK coverage of that shift, and both built the work around maximalist live staging.','
• From the Canon · My 21st Century Blues by Raye (2023). The self-released debut that followed seven years of being denied an album by Polydor: crowdfunded in effect by her own fanbase, co-produced by Raye herself, and structured as a live-club set with spoken introductions. It swept six BRIT Awards in 2024, the most ever won in one night, and contains 'Escapism', 'Black Mascara', 'Ice Cream Man' and 'Body Dysmorphia' — the songs the label had deemed uncommercial.','
• Key Collaborator · You Don't Know Me by Jax Jones (2016). The UK top-three single that made Raye's name as a featured vocalist and set the pattern of her early career: her voice and her writing driving other producers' hits while her own album stayed unreleased. Jax Jones's house production gave her the platform and the chart data, and the record's success is precisely what her label used to justify keeping her in the features economy for years afterwards.','
• Legacy · What Was That by Lola Young (2024). A South London singer-songwriter a few years behind Raye, working the same raw-voiced, jazz-shaded confessional pop and open about label friction over her own material. Raye's BRITs sweep materially changed what UK labels believed an uncompromising young British woman's album could achieve commercially, and Young's rise through 2024–25 happened inside the space that result opened.','

What influenced Raye

• Beyoncé. Beyoncé is named among the influences Raye has mentioned. (also via Bigger) “and has mentioned Beyoncé , [ 85 ] Lauryn Hill , [ 129 ] Dinah Washington , Sarah Vaughan , [ 130 ] Etta James , [ 131 ] Billie Holiday , Lady Gaga , [ 60 ] and Christina Aguilera as influences.” (Wikipedia)
• Billie Holiday (1915). Holiday is named among the influences Raye has mentioned. (also via Lady in Satin) “and has mentioned Beyoncé , [ 85 ] Lauryn Hill , [ 129 ] Dinah Washington , Sarah Vaughan , [ 130 ] Etta James , [ 131 ] Billie Holiday , Lady Gaga , [ 60 ] and Christina Aguilera as influences.” (Wikipedia)
• Amy Winehouse. Raye appears in the list of artists who credited Winehouse as an influence or trailblazer. (also via Back to Black) “Emeli Sandé , [ 290 ] Victoria Justice , [ 291 ] Paloma Faith , [ 292 ] Lana Del Rey , [ 293 ] Sam Smith , [ 294 ] Florence Welch , [ 295 ] Halsey , [ 296 ] Alessia Cara , [ 297 ] Estelle , [ 298 ] Daya , [ 299 ] Raye , [ 300 ] Jorja Smi…” (Wikipedia)
• Nina Simone. Simone is named among the artists Raye listened to growing up. “Raye grew up listening to artists such as Jill Scott , [ 13 ] [ 126 ] James Brown , Nina Simone , and Alicia Keys .” (Wikipedia)
• Lauryn Hill by Lauryn Hill (1975). Hill is named among the influences Raye has mentioned. (also via The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill) “and has mentioned Beyoncé , [ 85 ] Lauryn Hill , [ 129 ] Dinah Washington , Sarah Vaughan , [ 130 ] Etta James , [ 131 ] Billie Holiday , Lady Gaga , [ 60 ] and Christina Aguilera as influences.” (Wikipedia)
• Lady Gaga (1986). Lady Gaga is named among the influences Raye has mentioned. “and has mentioned Beyoncé , [ 85 ] Lauryn Hill , [ 129 ] Dinah Washington , Sarah Vaughan , [ 130 ] Etta James , [ 131 ] Billie Holiday , Lady Gaga , [ 60 ] and Christina Aguilera as influences.” (Wikipedia)
• Christina Aguilera. Aguilera is named among the influences Raye has mentioned. “and has mentioned Beyoncé , [ 85 ] Lauryn Hill , [ 129 ] Dinah Washington , Sarah Vaughan , [ 130 ] Etta James , [ 131 ] Billie Holiday , Lady Gaga , [ 60 ] and Christina Aguilera as influences.” (Wikipedia)
• Stevie Wonder. The article says Raye incorporated Wonder's music. “She also incorporated the music of Stevie Wonder and Wet Wet Wet , of whom her father was a fan, [ 128 ]” (Wikipedia)
• Sarah Vaughan. Vaughan is named among the influences Raye has mentioned. “and has mentioned Beyoncé , [ 85 ] Lauryn Hill , [ 129 ] Dinah Washington , Sarah Vaughan , [ 130 ] Etta James , [ 131 ] Billie Holiday , Lady Gaga , [ 60 ] and Christina Aguilera as influences.” (Wikipedia)
• Louis Armstrong. The article says Armstrong helped introduce Raye to jazz. “She has stated that jazz is one of her favourite music genres, [ 125 ] which she first discovered through Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong .” (Wikipedia)
• Jill Scott (1987). Scott is named among the artists Raye listened to growing up. “Raye grew up listening to artists such as Jill Scott , [ 13 ] [ 126 ] James Brown , Nina Simone , and Alicia Keys .” (Wikipedia)
• Back to Black by Amy Winehouse (2006) “Raye's musical style and vocals have drawn comparisons to Amy Winehouse, whom she admires and whose artistry she has described as "irreplaceable and inimitable".” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Alicia Keys. Keys is named among the artists Raye listened to growing up. “Raye grew up listening to artists such as Jill Scott , [ 13 ] [ 126 ] James Brown , Nina Simone , and Alicia Keys .” (Wikipedia)
• Wet Wet Wet. The article says Raye incorporated Wet Wet Wet's music. “She also incorporated the music of Stevie Wonder and Wet Wet Wet , of whom her father was a fan, [ 128 ]” (Wikipedia)
• James Brown (1933). Brown is named among the artists Raye listened to growing up. “Raye grew up listening to artists such as Jill Scott , [ 13 ] [ 126 ] James Brown , Nina Simone , and Alicia Keys .” (Wikipedia)
• Ella Fitzgerald. The article says Fitzgerald helped introduce Raye to jazz. “She has stated that jazz is one of her favourite music genres, [ 125 ] which she first discovered through Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong .” (Wikipedia)
• Dinah Washington. Washington is named among the influences Raye has mentioned. “and has mentioned Beyoncé , [ 85 ] Lauryn Hill , [ 129 ] Dinah Washington , Sarah Vaughan , [ 130 ] Etta James , [ 131 ] Billie Holiday , Lady Gaga , [ 60 ] and Christina Aguilera as influences.” (Wikipedia)
• Etta James. James is named among the influences Raye has mentioned. “and has mentioned Beyoncé , [ 85 ] Lauryn Hill , [ 129 ] Dinah Washington , Sarah Vaughan , [ 130 ] Etta James , [ 131 ] Billie Holiday , Lady Gaga , [ 60 ] and Christina Aguilera as influences.” (Wikipedia)
• Lady in Satin by Billie Holiday “She also incorporated the music of Stevie Wonder and Wet Wet Wet, of whom her father was a fan, and has mentioned Beyoncé, Lauryn Hill, Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan, Etta James, Billie Holiday, Lady Gaga, and Christina Aguilera as inf…” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Fleabag by Phoebe Waller-Bridge (themoviedb.org)
• Cabaret by Bob Fosse (1972) (themoviedb.org)
• The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by Lauryn Hill (1998) “She also incorporated the music of Stevie Wonder and Wet Wet Wet, of whom her father was a fan, and has mentioned Beyoncé, Lauryn Hill, Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan, Etta James, Billie Holiday, Lady Gaga, and Christina Aguilera as inf…” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Know My Name by Chanel Miller (2019) (openlibrary.org)
• The Pearl Fishers by Georges Bizet (1863) (musicbrainz.org)
• Alone Together by Chet Baker (1959) (musicbrainz.org)

Peers and kindred spirits

• Lisa. Raye featured on Lisa's “Born Again.” “Raye featured alongside Doja Cat on Lisa 's single " Born Again " and collaborated with Mark Ronson on " Suzanne ", which premiered as part of a music program led by the watch brand Audemars Piguet .” (Wikipedia)
• Olivia Dean. Dean and Raye were classmates and close friends at BRIT School. (also via My 21st Century Blues) “At BRIT School, she became close friends with classmates Rachel Chinouriri and Raye .” (Wikipedia)
• You Don't Know Me by Jax Jones (2016) “She signed with Polydor Records in 2014 and gained recognition in 2016 through collaborations on Jonas Blue 's " By Your Side "—her first entry on the UK Singles Chart —and Jax Jones 's " You Don't Know Me ", which reached the UK top three.” (Wikipedia)
• Hans Zimmer. Hans Zimmer is featured on Raye's “Click Clack Symphony”. “David Attenborough and Hans Zimmer are two of my heroes, to be able to compose a song with Hans is BEYOND a wildest dream, and then to hear Sir David narrate over and in between my voice actually brings tears to my eyes.” (imprintent.org)
• Let Them Know by Mabel. Raye co-wrote and co-produced Mabel's “Let Them Know”. “RAYE would later team up with Mabel once again to co-write and co-produce her 2021 hit single 'Let Them Know'.” (hellorayo.co.uk)
• 070 Shake. 070 Shake is featured on Raye's “Escapism”. “RAYE featuring 070 Shake: 'Escapism' (2022) It was in 2022 that RAYE really took her place in the music industry.” (hellorayo.co.uk)
• D-Block Europe. Raye collaborated with D-Block Europe on “Prada”. “RAYE's collaboration with D-Block Europe on 'Ferrari Horses' was released in 2021, breaking into the Top 15 in the UK at Number 14” (hellorayo.co.uk)
• Mark Ronson. Raye collaborated with Mark Ronson on “Suzanne”. “I was nervous when we first worked together. I was like, “I need to impress him. I need to make him think I’m good.” But we clicked straight away. “Suzanne” is the first thing we created when we met each other.” (wmagazine.com)
• Bigger by Beyoncé. Raye co-wrote Beyoncé's track “Bigger”. “A cut like that is life-changing. It means now that in all songwriting conversations, I’m taken seriously – throughout [all] genres.” (nme.com)
• Central Cee. Raye collaborated with Central Cee on “Moi”. “Central Cee continues his unstoppable ascent with the release of his latest single, “Moi,” with the vocal powerhouse, RAYE.” (sonymusic.ca)
• Flames Collective. Raye recorded her live album alongside the Flames Collective. “The excitement and anticipation was palpable backstage at the O2 as myself and the other members of the Flames Collective prepared to take the stage alongside the incredible RAYE.” (udmusic.org)
• Charli XCX. Raye co-wrote “I, U, Us” with Charli XCX. “We had the most fun, we were jumping around in the studio like little kids. She had a vision for the video so it was obvious to me that she should be the one to bring that to life,” (hellorayo.co.uk)
• Heritage Orchestra. Raye recorded her live album alongside the Heritage Orchestra. “RAYE , who has been generous in creating opportunities for us, once again raised the stakes with Flames invited to perform with The Heritage Orchestra at her sold-out O2 show.” (udmusic.org)
• Joel Corry. Raye collaborated with Joel Corry on “Bed”. (also via Bed) “In February 2021, Raye collaborated with Guetta and the DJ Joel Corry on the single " Bed ", [ 47 ] which reached number three on the UK singles chart—marking her highest-charting single as a lead artist on the chart at the time—and topp…” (Wikipedia)
• Shine by Years & Years. Raye covered the Years & Years song “Shine”. “In 2015, she released the single "Alien" featuring Avelino and covered the Years & Years song " Shine ", later opening for the band's show at Shepherd's Bush Empire .” (Wikipedia)
• Cassö. Raye collaborated with Cassö on “Prada”. “She also collaborated with Cassö and D-Block Europe on the UK top-two single " Prada ".” (Wikipedia)
• By Your Side by Jonas Blue. Raye collaborated on Jonas Blue's “By Your Side”. “She signed with Polydor Records in 2014 and gained recognition in 2016 through collaborations on Jonas Blue 's " By Your Side "—her first entry on the UK Singles Chart —and Jax Jones 's " You Don't Know Me ", which reached the UK top three.” (Wikipedia)
• Doja Cat. Raye and Doja Cat both featured on “Born Again”. “Raye featured alongside Doja Cat on Lisa 's single " Born Again " and collaborated with Mark Ronson on " Suzanne ", which premiered as part of a music program led by the watch brand Audemars Piguet .” (Wikipedia)
• Secrets by Regard. “Secrets” is identified as a collaboration with Regard. “Raye later released several extended plays, as well as the project Euphoric Sad Songs (2020), which spawned the UK top-ten single " Secrets ", a collaboration with Regard .” (Wikipedia)
• Kali Uchis (1994). Raye was a special guest on Uchis's Red Moon in Venus tour. “released on March 3, 2023, with an accompanying tour featuring special guest Raye” (Wikipedia)
• Mabel. RAYE says she and Mabel had been writing for each other’s projects. “We’ve become super-tight, and we’ve been writing for my project and for her project. It is so beautiful because me and her have been kind of pitted against each other from the beginning” (nme.com)
• Noonie Bao. Raye co-wrote “I, U, Us” with Noonie Bao. “She co-wrote its single "I, U, Us" with the singers Noonie Bao and Charli XCX ; the latter also directed the song's music video.” (Wikipedia)
• Skyfall by Adele. Raye performed Adele's “Skyfall”. “She also sang Adele 's " Skyfall " (2012) the 97th Academy Awards as part of a medley in honour to the James Bond franchise.” (Wikipedia)
• David Guetta (1967). Raye collaborated with David Guetta on “Bed”. “In February 2021, Raye collaborated with Guetta and the DJ Joel Corry on the single " Bed ", [ 47 ] which reached number three on the UK singles chart—marking her highest-charting single as a lead artist on the chart at the time—and topp…” (Wikipedia)
• Prioritise Pleasure by Self Esteem (2021) (musicbrainz.org)
• Bed by Joel Corry (2021) “In 2021, she collaborated with Joel Corry and David Guetta on the UK top-three entry "Bed", and departed Polydor, citing the label's refusal to release her debut studio album.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• What Happened to the Heart? by Aurora (2024) (musicbrainz.org)
• Nothing Great About Britain by Slowthai (2019) (musicbrainz.org)
• Konnichiwa by Skepta (2016) (musicbrainz.org)
• Let Me Love You by Mabel (2017) “Raye's third EP, Side Tape, premiered in 2018, following the release of the single "Cigarette", which features Don and the singer Mabel.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Dizzee Rascal's Boy in da Corner by Dizzee Rascal (2003)
• Lost in Translation by Mahalia (2019)
• Jax Jones. In the article’s discussion of “You Don’t Know Me,” RAYE recalls writing the song with Jax Jones.

Who Raye influenced

• What Was That by Lola Young (2024)
• Cuckoo by Cat Burns (2023)