EXCLUSIVE: ‘Being in control of your career is a different thing’: RAYE scores his first number 1 with the single Escapism… months after parting ways with his record label
RAYE has hit the top of the charts for the first time with his new single Escapism, which features singer 070 Shake.
The 25-year-old hitmaker was emotional when she found out about her first post, telling MailOnline she had been “crying all day” and was “so grateful”.
It comes months after he left his record label to go independent, accusing them of preventing him from releasing an album.
EXCLUSIVE: ‘I’ve been crying all day’: RAYE scores her first No. 1 with single Escapism… as she reveals she’s ‘so grateful’
His song was released in October and has regained post-Christmas attention with the top spot this week, after previously reaching No. 2 in December.
RAYE’s single is part of his debut album My 21st Century Blues, which will be released on February 3.
He parted ways with the former record label Polydor in 2022 after accusing them of preventing him from releasing an album for seven years.
And speaking to MailOnline, the artist expressed her appreciation for the recognition and the joy of having released the single on her own as an independent artist.
Coming Soon: RAYE’s single is part of his debut album My 21st Century Blues, due for release on February 3.
Grateful: Speaking to MailOnline, the artist expressed her gratitude for the recognition and the joy of releasing the single on her own as an independent artist.
The star explained: ‘I think, in a way, I feel like a new artist. You know, with 3 songs in the world about to release his debut album. I think it’s a different thing to be in control of your career and be free to express yourself.
Continuing: ‘And then release music tied to your own time instead of what other people think is best and what they want you to do. So that, it’s just a great reward.
RAYE also went on to say that Number 1 has had a huge emotional impact on her, admitting that she’s been “crying all day.”
First Look: She recently shared a glimpse of the track listing for her yet-to-be-released album.
‘This is different. Feelings of doing it on your own, if that makes sense. I really don’t know what to say, for someone who puts words together for a living.
The star first broke the charts with his appearance on Jonas Blue’s By Your Side in 2016 and has released a variety of music since then, but never a full album.
Previously explaining the control her record label had over her, she tweeted: ‘I’ve been on a 4 ALBUM DEAL since 2014! And I haven’t been allowed to put out an album.’
She also expressed that she was “sick of being put to sleep” in a series of tweets showing her frustration, before leaving publicly in 2022.
Frustrated: The musician previously took to Twitter to explain his frustration that he claimed the record label wouldn’t allow him to release songs, before leaving to go independent (2021 Tweets)