“Where the hell is my husband?” asks the 27-year-old British pop singer, RAYE, in her latest single, released on September 19. First performed at Glastonbury in June, the song implements both swing-style jazz and pop, making for a fresh and timeless sound.
In “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!“, RAYE sings of yearning for her future husband. To the man in question, she playfully mocks her desperation singing: “While I’ve been reviewin’ applications/Wait till I get my hands on him, I’ma tell him off too/For how long he kept me waitin’, anticipatin’”.
A snippet of the song became a viral TikTok sound prior to its release due to the rappid fire delivery of the lyrics: “I would like a ring, I would like a ring/I would like a diamond ring on my wedding finger/I would like a big and shiny diamond that I can wave around/And talk, and talk about it”.
This wouldn’t be the first time RAYE has seen virality online. Her hit “Escapism,” featuring rapper 070 Shake, flew to No. 1 in January 2023. A deeply personal piece, Escapism reflects on the feeling of wanting to escape the pain of a relationship breakup with partying and substance abuse.
After years of trying to get her debut album released by a label that consistently sidelined her, RAYE independently released My 21st Century Blues with Human Re-Sources in February 2023 to critical acclaim. Following her personal struggles to get her music released to the public, she became an outspoken advocate for songwriters’ rights. She even received an Honorary Ivors Academy Award for her contributions.
RAYE’s success has been a long time coming, having previously written music for artists such as Little Mix, Charli XCX, Madison Beer, Zara Larsson, Beyoncé, as well as producing music for John Legend and Rihanna.
Inviting a unique sound to the current music industry, RAYE does not pigeonhole herself into one genre or music style, often blending genres like R&B, jazz, and hip-hop. As displayed in several of her songs, she transitions seamlessly from spoken word to powerful vocals.
Fans have even drawn similarities between her and Amy Winehouse. From her work with Mark Ronson, who frequently collaborated with the late singer, to their aesthetic similarities. However, RAYE has taken the comparisons in stride, speaking publicly about her admiration for Winehouse.
2024 solidified RAYE’s place as one of the greats in her own right. Sweeping at the Brit Awards, she broke the record for most awards won in a single night for that ceremony, including Album and Song of the Year. She also opened for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour at Wembley Stadium and made several television appearances. Earlier this year, she delivered two standout performances at both the Grammys and the Academy Awards.
But this is only the beginning for RAYE. Just this month, in addition to teasing the release of her upcoming sophomore album, she announced the dates for her upcoming tour, aptly named “This Tour May Contain New Music.”
Next year, RAYE’s sisters, singers Absolutely and Amma, will join her on her tour. Tickets have already started to go on sale this week. Due to high demand, she has added new shows in Amsterdam, Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, London, New York, and Los Angeles.
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