Following the highly anticipated – and celebrated – release of her debut album My 21st Century Blues last month, RAYE continued her sonic journey to stardom with a performance at the Music Hall of Williamsburg this past Tuesday. The matinee show, which saw the vocal powerhouse take the New York City stage for the first time in 2023, offered yet another reminder of why she is the name on the music industry’s lips this year.

Since releasing the mega-hit “Escapism” last November, which ear wormed its way to the top of the charts and the TikTok FYP alike, RAYE – and her loyal 34 million Spotify listeners – has watched as her career has catapulted into astronomical territory.  

Prior to her Brooklyn show, the British singer-songwriter bared her soul during a performance of the deeply personal ballad “Ice Cream Man” on Jimmy Kimmel. In the raw and moving video for the track, which was self-directed, the 25-year-old explores the emotional and mental struggles that often follow instances of sexual assault. Recognized as an anthem for survivors of sexual assault, the song and its accompanying visuals are an incredibly painful, but important piece of art that directly aligns itself with the authentic nature of RAYE’s journey – musical or not.

It is precisely this authenticity, this unfiltered presentation of her life, that makes RAYE’s spotlight shine brighter amongst a sea of entertainers. That and her powerhouse vocals and star magnetism, of course.