Ashley Pointer | April 12, 2023
"I'm a songwriter for a living, okay. I usually have all the words but I'm genuinely speechless." RAYE told the audience at her Tiny Desk. "All I've wanted is to be seen and respected as a musician."
The South London-bred singer-songwriter had finally made her way to NPR headquarters, her signature cherry-hued pin curls full of bounce and a radiant smile spread across her face. It was a long time coming, and in a re-arranged set of songs from her stunning debut album tailored to the Tiny Desk, RAYE exuded the confidence and abilities of a veteran vocal powerhouse.
In the game for over a decade, RAYE's debut album was 7 years in the making after being stuck in a major label deal that had her confined to recording mainstream pop and electronic records, and penning hits for other artists instead of executing her own creative vision. Now independent, she released the genre-busting My 21st Century Blues this year, an impressive and raw album that touches on some of the artist's most vulnerable life experiences. Over the course of her Tiny Desk, RAYE's musicianship shines as she displays a melange of jazz scats, gospel and blues inflections. Closing out her set with "Buss It Down.," she recruits the audience for some call and response action only after giving us a brief vocal lesson, 'cause that's just how particular she is. If this Tiny Desk concert is your introduction to RAYE, prepare to be enraptured.
SET LIST
"Worth It."
"Five Star Hotels."
"Mary Jane."
"Buss It Down."
MUSICIANS
RAYE: vocals
Matthew Brooks: drums
Liv Thompson: bass
Briana Washington: keys
Paul Murray: guitar
Michael Cordone: trumpet
Greg DeAngelis: trombone
DeSean Jones: saxophone
TINY DESK TEAM
Producers: Bobby Carter, Ashley Pointer
Director/Editor: Maia Stern
Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Creative Director: Bob Boilen
Videographers: Maia Stern, Kara Frame, Sofia Seidel, Alanté Serene
Audio Assistant: Neil Tevault
Production Assistant: Jill Britton
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Joshua Bryant, Marissa Lorusso, Hazel Cills, Pilar Galván
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann
#tinydesk #nprmusic #raye
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She reminds me of Amy Winehouse, but has her own, unique way of approaching jazz. It's lovely to see her get the recognition she deserves.
Literally
Amy is most certainly smiling down on this one
Absolutely agreed! And love it!
it's funny that you say that because Raye went to the same high school than Amy but both of them didn't like it haha
I just heard her and posted the same comment, then saw yours! Nice to discover her.
getting ads IN THE MIDDLE of a song is a crime
Not just in the middle, but like, right at the crucial really rad finale.
Ya, but it pays some of the bills.
Thats why you pay premium ❤
Install adblocker
@@sabrowenie when it defeats the purpose of the video to begin with and theres plenty of advertisements on other non-musical content, "paying the bills" is not a reasonably justifiable excuse to ruin the experience that an artist worked so hard to create by interrupting it with what's likely to be brain rotting propaganda for something that isn't good for anyone at the end of the day.
This is the kinda performance where you listen in silence while being so speechless how a human can sound so amazing!! Her vocals are out of this world!
Felt this way at 3 am discovering her thinking escapism was dua lipa while listening to it 😂 I had a whole crisis. Been playing her music since non stop!
Out of this world ? not quite..
Just Watched Raye on SNL & The 1st Thing I Did Was See If She Had A Tiny Desk Performance
exactly the same!
I can't understand how she's had to fight so hard to break in. She is one of my fav artists of all time.
Cause she a real artist and writes her own songs and she cant be moulded into rubbish.
@@cidkult that’s a fact … I’m from Texas, USA and I love her
Same. Been obsessed
The music industry is vile and uncaring. Genuine artists who aren’t independent always have it hard in those conditions
❤ Agreed she is so talented. I’ve actually heard her other songs but this has me hooked!
Jazz singers are vocally elite this was amazing!
And the funny thing is she doesn’t really consider herself a Jazz singer.
@@XxQueenChristinaxX Because’s she’s not. She’s barely a singer. More like random riffing over poetry. It’s basically rap. I know some like it. I find her songs and voice annoying AF.
@@XxQueenChristinaxX That's not her style of music but that is her style of singing. She is someone who is trained as a jazz singer, she scats and everything
@@yannanydeira I never said or implied that she wasn't trained on Jazz (as is done in the BRIT School).
I totally agree, Billie Holiday did it and this young lady doing it as well
Raye is an extremely talented vocalist who uses her craft to an expert degree, I couldn't be happier for her. She's a true artist.
Her voice control is next level. This and her first song at Royal Albert Hall just show how much of a raw talent she is. She will be one of the greats and she is independent! Buying her album right now to support her. We see you queen! Can we also please acknowledge the sheer joy and love she gets from her band? Fantastic concert thanks for bringing it to us @nprmusic.
Honestly I know 3-4 people that can sing circles around her and have day jobs. I'm telling you this and I genuinely really like her music. You people just go too far with the artist worship.
@@patrickquine3945 I'm sure you do
@@SamB-rk9qb You'd be surprised, kid. Go to any music school and meet some vocalists.
@@patrickquine3945why do you care whether someone ‘worships’ her? You just sound bitter tbh, posting that comment
@@katiecrystal1306 The culture of celebrity hurts music
really love she’s showing off her other songs on the album rather than just performing the singles from it
would love if this became available to listen on streaming like omar apollo did
@@liscinda1230 - KZhead music let’s you access it like it’s an official release.
i love worth it ❤
You can really tell that she's a MUSICIAN! She made a LOT of differente melodies in her own song. And even said "i love that chord in the middle" to the girl that was playing the keys. She was feeling every beat and instrument and that's noticeable. She loves the music a lot. I love that she's being recognized as she deserves
Yes. My favorite singers tend to be those who understand their voice as an instrument like any other.
love that chord MOMENT at 13:31
3:29 .. get at keyboard bayzz. Chords is Sooo original natural tonality.
People, stop idolizing. It is about the band. Not just one member.
‘I love that chord’ is something that a pop star would say to make it look like they are a musician
Not only she can sing - but she can listen: You don't get such a great arrangement for a band unless you know exactly what you do: And what a great band that is.
Five star hotels was already my favorite song off the album but WOW this version is absolutely incredible.
Same 😊
Such a good song!!
She is an example of someone who has mastered their craft
hm, i think there’s always room for improvement
@@iverbronx yeah, can’t wait to hear her after working with a handful of producers/players and tightening up her sound a touch. She’s got a lot of good ideas, but honing them down and making things congruent… there’s are no shortcuts to that work.
Na fam what until she is doing this in her 50s and beyond
❤❤truer words
@@iverbronx The two aren't mutually exclusive. Perfection is a hypothetical concept
Tiny Desk Concert sometimes just drops gems on you. This is one of them. I had no idea who she was. Now I'm a fan.
SAME shocked
hahaha welcome to this gem my friend =)
same hre! caugh me off guardd
Exatamente isso
She has some dope EDM tracks.
"All I've really wanted was to be respected and seen as a musician and that's exactly what this moment is for me" if you've been following her for a while through all the frustrations she's gone through in the industry i know as a fan you felt proud of her when you heard this
Timestamps: 0:18- Worth It 6:13- Five Star Hotels 10:40- Mary Jane 17:14- Buss It Down
You are the hero we need, but not deserve. Thanks!
Thanks but I was here for her legs and a possible peak
Every song is a gem... but the way she sings Mary Jane is on another level
@@umer.on.youtubelegend😂😂
I start watching and immediately rewind to hear the fragment that was just played.... a short concert but full of fantastic moments ❤❤❤
I’m not exaggerating this is the best tiny desk I’ve ever seen. Her vocals, the band, the breakdowns…. I have no words
Yoo real thingg
top 5 defo But Tank and the Bangas still my favorite ever for all those years
certainly one of them.
Top 3 FORSURE
Idles.
I didn't know who RAYE was half an hour ago. Now? I would jump off a bridge for her. Her energy is so pure, and it beams through her music. To have so much talent, as an artist and a preformer that you reach people that deeply, and to ALSO be a Croydon queen?? Incredible.
Heavy on the Croydon queen😭🤍
She has an amazing voice and so powerful. Jazz/Blues/R&B is in her very soul. Wish her a long and brilliant career 1000000%
What a musian she is mmm
Same here- just discovered her accidentally in a Shorts, and I am simply mesmerized, in tears at times for inexplicable reasons. I suspect she sings from her heart, straight to ours. ❤
I felt the same way about her when I found her 🥹
Tiny Desk reveals raw talent unlike any recorded album does
That lil laughing pause was golden😂😂😂😂
The fact that she chose to perform some of the less popular songs off her album and just made them so much better😭😭 Truly no skips, I'm obsessed with her
Five star hotel is one of my faves so I’m so happy
5 star hotelsss is my faaaaaaaaaaave, it's just got such a nice vibe
less popular. I was stuck on repeat for 2 days on 5 star hotel lol. Amazing album!!
All the songs are fire
I loved 5 Star Hotel so much. That spin on it was sooo good!
I love that Raye never performs her song the same way twice. She's constantly adding and subtracting in a way that seems to be very "in the moment." Absolutely love her voice, her talent, her creativity, and her use of music as a therapy of sorts.
Yeah right. Thats why really love to watch her live performance. It shows how brilliant she is
Rayeisgonnabearoundforalongtime
It's her being shy about using the vocoder and then going nuts immediately 😂
That opening to "Five Star Hotels" brought me to literal tears. Its been too long since i heard someone sing with that much soul im soo mind blown at this beautiful queens voice. Not saying she doesnt deserve but i pray sye doesnt get commercialized success bc they will try to change and limit her voice. Thats not at all what she deserves
Before anyone comes in the comments I just realized how popular and already successful she's already been mannn wow I'm mindblown.
She’s already had commercial success which got in the way of the music she could release. She can sing these songs now because she’s gone independent.
The fact that she did some EDM and they're all bangers and now she's doing her own music and is even better... wow
This is why I’m so shocked. I didn’t know she can sound like this 🫢. I love her song Cigarette and Decline and she does NOT sound like this in those songs
It's nice seeing all the band members smile at each other, she really brought them together. She also really looks like she's in her element. Well done girl x
Same thought I had
They're smiling because they just made great art. Dam
They are smiling because they are gettin paid
Mary Jane OMG! the energy. The band! absolute fire. Outstanding. Raye - you're fantastic.
This version of Mary Jane in particular has forever changed the way I listen to the version on the album. I'm a massive fan of this version. I've remembered Raye as a phenomenal musician and vocalist from the very beginning and seeing her live proved me 100% right. She's amazing
the most fascinating thing to watch is an artist not just sing their songs but to literally make you believe every word they are singing. she is a PERFORMER. she is literally translating everything she is saying through her attitude & her body language. i am so in awe of her.
this was well put, i couldn't agree more. any performance i watch of her, she's so captivating!!! i'm obsessed with her rn
@@slick_nastysame same 💓💓💓
It only took one performance at the Brit Awards and was hooked, just like Amy on the Grammy’s.
I love how NPR just casually puts up Tiny Desk concerts that take you from "my first intro" to "my new favorite artist" over and over and over again!
THIS!
Quite literally never been in more awe of an artist than RAYE. I am so obsessed
i'm convinced i'm responsible for 70% of the views on this video with the amount of times i've rewatched this! so so so good...
The insane level of vocal control, a true vocalist
This is CRAZY!! Her voclas are amazing, I let my father hear this and he said "I didn't even know musicians like this stills exist"
"And I bought three bottles, because I tend to drink you dry" this line hit me so hard, I remember that feeling so well
I haven’t bought an album for 10 years. Just downloaded hers from iTunes. So good she made me pay money!
First time I’ve caught a Tiny Desk this early haha. I know it’s going to be great though because RAYE is phenomenal. Happy watching to everyone who stumbles across this
Me too
Her tone is impeccable.
Same here 😊
Phenomenal is correct, wow!
I be trying to jump on all fast…especially since I be missing all the concerts irl! 😂
The singing on Mary Jane is so skilful is kinda hard to even understand how she can do that and also write a sick pop song It’s amazing! She’s amazing
I think I realize why I love her so much. It's like she brought back the energy and aura of Miss Amy Winehoue
I thought of Amy too. Both are so unique and talented. Love both of their styles and voices. The energy is very special ✨🤍✨.
RAYE is so dope. I can't stop watching this track again and again. I am sure she will be #1 soon due to 💖 a u t h e n t I c v i e w s 💖
Worth It 1:00 Five Star Hotels 6:20 Mary Jane 10:41 Buss It Down 17:16
👑
worth it and buss it down are the best 2 songs on the album i’m so glad she performs them often 😩🥺
i wish she had sang oscar winning tears omggg
The thrill is gone is dope! My favorite
@@adliexx she is
Crikey. This girl got soul. Get some major Winehouse vibes from this. Yes RAYE
I love watching her perform, she is so lost in her music, it's mesmerizing. I wasn't blinking while watching this, she had me all caught up, I teared up. This is what music should make us feel like.
She's an immaculate storyteller. Honestly, the details woven into each number - just undeniably superb ! A rare gem of this generation.
She would have been a mega star by now if those producers had give her the album. Never have i enjoyed full album like hers. Truly a great artist.
even if she wasn’t a songwriter she’s an INSANE vocalist. doing all that while sitting? can someone who sings explain that to me wow
I mean, she is really just ah-mazing.
she actually is a songwriter ! She has a playlist of songs she’s written and I think she wrote most of the album herself
She was mainly a songwriter before becoming a singer herself. She’s written for Beyoncé, John Legend, Hailee Steinfeld, aespa among many other artists.
RnB suits RAYE's voice much more than dance,but she was forced to do dance its so sad, its so disgusting how your label wouldn't let you do the genre you wanted because they were all about making money and she had a 4 album deal and they didn't even let her release 1 album now shes an independant artist and her fanbase is rising and escapism is getting over 1.5M streams on spotify since it came out november, it must be embarassing that her record label didn't even let her do the music she wanted to do karma.
Point well made 👍
wat an irony that she actually do dance music nowadays. she is a sell out like everybody
Good God! Once every couple of generations we are blessed with such a musical talent. Miss Raye IS music! What a treat...thank you NPR. ❤❤❤
it’s truly been an honour to watch raye grow into the artist she is today and see her finally start to get the appreciation she deserves. this was such a beautiful performance.
I wonder if she always knew she was such a talented singer?
This my respect is increasing will be seeing her live 100%%%
@@bigmama752 she always knew. Her old label made her make dance music where she couldn't show off her vocals because it's not needed for those types of song.
RAYE’s talent is stunningly raw and pure. This voice is timeless, a true gift. The ad libs, the riffs, the character, the delivery, the lyricism - she has music in her BONES. This album is something special and RAYE deserves every single flower. This tiny desk was excellent.
Couldn't said it better
Its all but raw? She must have trained so hard to be that good, is almost a crime to call it raw
@@lucascordeiro9082 You miss my point. Of course she has trained and perfected the instrument of her voice, but this is the kind of talent that you cannot buy and she has a gift that comes from more than just "training hard". Raye has something that most people could never achieve if they tried. There is an authenticity to her music and her art, something truly organic about the way that she performs, each time she sings a song live it sounds different to the last. She is always truly present. Her artistry isn't masked by frills and fancies, or the frenzy of celebrity culture, or manufactured branding - she is an organic and timeless talent. That is what I mean by raw.
Yes! ❤❤❤
@@MsDiva96and she makes it seem effortless when it’s not THAT is raw talent
Finally something that is not plastic music. This is just class. Love her approach to jazz and her love for music!
Her vocal control might be the best ever. Wow just wow
she don't need no record label. SHE IS TALENT
Her explanation about the fluctuation of vocals saying the phrase “she” - I have so much respect for her - this performance made me cry not only because of the heart in the songs but because of her as an artist. You can really feel that she LOVES music, that she KNOWS it deeply. I get a similar feeling about artists like Jacob Collier / Jon Bellion - just so clever + endlessly captivating
Not all musicians are artists, but RAYE is one. She’s got music style and swag, unique and different. She’s a talent!
She is Aretha and Amy Winehouse wrapped into ONE. Amazing. Her stage presence is something I am living for right now. Literally only just discovered you Raye. Better late than never!
Mary Jane is really a song meant to be heard live. Those vocals 🔥
I'm suing KZhead and Spotify for not showing me RAYE before.
I confess I’m a newcomer to your incredible music RAYE, I literally first heard you on ‘The Weekend’ by Stormzy, and was like, I need to hear more from you. Then I found this link to your desk performance, and was gratified from beginning to end. I am now converted to one of your many fans. Thank you for sharing your wonderful gift with us, keep making great music. 🙏🏿❤
🔴🔴🔴 No sound effects??? No echo??? Is she for real?? OMG Raye you are godsent where have you been all my life?? WOW
this is by far the best tiny desk concert on this planet
💯
Yesss
How have i never heard of this artist... This is mindblowing
The songs are from her debut album "My 21st Century Blues". I'd highly recommend giving it a listen if you enjoyed this video
@@superwhizz114 i will, ty!
Her musicality is CURRRRRAAAAAAZZZYYYYYYY!!!!
She reminds me how amazing us humans are.. such an amazing artist. Vocals, writing, lyrics… she has it all. On the tiny desk front. She is up there at joint number one with Yebba.. just ahead of Usher!
Raye is going to be such a trailblazer in this industry. Her album is extremely powerful, well articulated and crafted so effortlessly. You can genuine hear her passion through each song and the way her band behind her are all smiling shows how fun it must be to work with her. As soon as she announced she did a tiny desk record, I rushed onto here because I knew her talent could put a smile on my face!
Her voice reminds me of Amy Winehouse, soulful deep and expressive with perfect pitch. Hopefully she'll be here for the long ride.
Beyond her vocal talents and writing, she is so connected to her band and the audience- like in a way that only a truly humble and gifted performer can be. Bless her and all she has worked so hard for.... it is so well deserved. It will be a joy seeing her thrive as an artist. 🥰
That pianist needs her flowers 💐🥹
I NEVER WILL GET OVER HOW AMAZING THIS TINY DESK CONCERT IS!!! RAYE IS SHINING AND SINGING SONGS SHE LOVES!!! I'M SO HAPPY FOR HER!!!! I LOVE HER SO MUCH!!!
This definitely made it into my top 5 favorite tiny desk performances. Wow, just wow. So effortlessly beautiful.
What are your other top 4 Tiny Desk concerts?
@@stephanielittle4643 Tash Saltana is up there and surprisingly Camilla Cabello
@@Chief Tash is so talented it’s not even funny. I haven’t seen Camila’s.
@@stephanielittle4643 Tyler The Creator, T Pain, Mac Miller, Alicia Keys.
@stephanielittle4643 Tank and the Bangas, Wolf Alice, Fred Again, Sting and Shaggy. Jacob Collier was pretty epic too. There have been a lot!
This version of five star hotel makes me realize how much I underrated it before.
This room must've never had this much musical talent in it
I have a feeling this will be a classic type of Tiny Desk that we will return to over and over again. Well done RAYE and band! 🙌
Her voice has so many layers! She went from Ella to Billy back to Dinah in one song!!! A Black Amy Winehouse living in the light. Her voices crosses genres and eras! One of one. ❤❤👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
thank you for acknowledging her being Black omg. I had a feeling she had a lil TOO much soul in her, i had to look up her parents😭
@Alahe' Milan she's have Ghanaian (theorized to be a clan of edom) black means dead in the black law dictionary.
Have Ghanaian not dead. Black means dead in the black law dictionary
oh I didnt know she's black! thanks for pointing that out (no sarcasm I honestly did not realize)
@@polisherci you know theres a video and youre on youtube right ?
Finally found an artist to fill the Amy Winehouse sized hole in my heart ♥️
the fact she had the crowd singing along for one of her songs 😍 shes my fav artist!
Seeing her smile during her performance gives me LIFE!! Love your vibes, RAYE :) 😊
Glad i didn't skip this one. The melting of different genres, progressions etc. Vocals so soul piercing. That horn section on point.
I had no idea who she was prior to this and I’m in love with her sound . This is easily one of the best tiny desks I’ve heard in some time
Amy opened the door...I'm glad someone has walked through it...I Love You Amy Jade Winehouse 🕊️ RIP 🕊️
I love Amy Jade Winehouse with all my ❤ too
I love this woman. A South London Goddess. First hearing her honest and fierce song Escapism (with Shake 070), then she appears on Graham Norton which is a huge gig here in UK. And now this....star rises. Oozing and dripping with soul. Timing, vocal riffs, storytelling, sassy lyricist, presence, fabulous band....it's all here!
I need her and Masego on a track IMMEDIATELY
I recently heard one of her songs a few weeks ago and it quickly became my most played song till date. Didn't even know she had an album out, I'm gonna listen now. This has to be in my top 3 tiny desk concert. I love her voice, her energy I love her. Matter of fact I'm in love with her
"two, three, four" - coolest moment of the year
So glad she's able to showcase her talent at these new heights with no one holding her back, it's so inspiring!
this is justice being made! this girl deserves the world, thank you, NPR
She is hella authentic, totally a fan
Can't wait to see her at Coachella this weekend!
Absolutely phenomenal. She was so held in a box as a dance artist when she was signed to polydor, now we can see how many other facets there are to her talent and vocal ability
I read the brief bio provided and found out RAYE has been through quite a lot trying to gain her unique voice in the music industry. Well, RAYE, you have arrived! Thanks for the singing lesson, too.
YOW she's awesome and I just ordered her album. I'm a 74 year oldster but she's really G👀D and so natural, great backup band too!!
This was my first listening to her and OMG she super passionate about singing
Never have i clicked a notification so fast 😂 i love me some Raye, our modern day Amy Winehouse. Looking forward to seeing Raye open for SZA in June!
Omg thank you! I didn't know SZA was coming. Last time I checked the tour wasn't announced yet. Ticket sale starts in two days 😭
@@brittany.381 extra London dates were added and I've managed to get my tickets, it's going to be epic 🤗
RAYE and this band single handedly just performed the best tiny desk concert ever performed
Theres something so so special about this girl. Insanely talented
I can’t believe I’m 3 weeks late and just now seeing this video! I absolutely adore Raye and love love LOVE her music and voice. She put her whole soul, heart, blood, sweat and tears into this album🩷 Everything about her is amazing. The story she tells in each song on this album makes me smile, become teary eyed and amazes me all at the same time. I’m so happy and proud that she’s getting the recognition and attention she deserves after hearing about how her other record label wouldn’t allow her to release her art/masterpieces. Becoming an independent artist was the best thing she could’ve done because look at her now, just happy and THRIVING!!🥹 She’s killing it and it’s truly beautiful. She should have never been silenced in the first place. She deserves all her flowers while she’s here and I sure hope she’s receiving them💐 I love you Raye, keep shining and smiling🫶🏾☀️
I don’t know how to explain it but RAYE is an artist that makes me feel a certain way that I haven’t felt in a while
WHY are tiny desk concerts 10000000000000x better than the studio version. It's upsetting at this point
I feel honored to have witnessed this concert. Wow she’s incredible. This song is so smooth and her lil taste adds so much