Raye's record label respond after singer reveals she "hasn't been allowed" to release debut album
Raye, who has racked up a string of hits since 2016, said she has been left in "tears and pain" as her debut album is held back.
UPDATE: Raye has since revealed that she will be pausing all promotion for current single Call On Me and taking a social media hiatus following her revelation on struggling to release a debut album.
Raye previously stated that she was told she would be able to release her debut album if lead single Call On Me performed well.
Taking to Twitter, the pop singer posted a statement which clarified she will be taking a break, but encouraged fans to keep streaming the dance-pop track.
"I am supposed to be in Call On Me promo mode but I just don't have the strength to promote this record right now," she wrote.
"I am leaving for a while and I am leaving my phone behind. Keep streaming and sharing this song for me. I love you."
❤️💔 pic.twitter.com/ly60VmwevI
— RAYE (@raye) July 4, 2021
Raye's label Polydor Records responded to a series of earlier tweets from the artist after she said she's been "hiding my tears and my pain" as her label continues to hold back her debut album.
The singer, songwriter and producer, who has been signed to Polydor since 2014, revealed she has "albums on albums of music" still unreleased or now given away to other artists "because I am still awaiting confirmation that I am good enough to release an album".
Raye said the situation has made her "not want to get out of bed," adding: "I've done everything they asked me… I want to make my album now, please, that is all I want."
holding it inside and pretending I am 100% fabulous will only hurt more. So here it is. Today I feel like a toilet. I’m going to be brave and talk about it. You are not alone, we can talk about our worries and our tears. It’s not embarrassing to speak out, It is brave #callonme pic.twitter.com/nFx3IHDcuE
— RAYE (@raye) June 29, 2021
Raye revealed her label told her she can release an album if her current single Call On Me performs well, adding: "Imagine the PRESSURE of me waking up every day frantically looking at numbers and stats hoping that I can just make MY BLOODY FIRST ALBUM.
"I know this is the kind of thing I’m suppose to keep behind closed doors, but I have worked and waited and hustled and given EVERYthing I have and if I am going to suffer I am NOT going to do it in silence anymore".
Polydor have since responded, telling NME: "We were saddened to read RAYE’s tweets last night and have reached out to her management team to discuss and offer our full support."
A number of artists have reached out in support of Raye, including Charli XCX, Shura and MNEK, who said: "Raye is one of our country’s best PERIOD. There is no reason her light should be dimmed or she should be made to feel her HARD WORK is in vain."
To date Raye has scored nine Top 40 songs on the Official Singles Chart. Her first was Jonas Blue collaboration By Your Side in 2016, while this year she has scored hits with Regardless and Joel Corry and David Guetta collaboration Bed. Last November she released her mixtape Euphoric Sad Songs. View Raye's Official Chart history so far here.
Watch Raye's Call On Me music video below:
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G
geebee
I have never heard of her despite the reported 9 Top 40 hits. That's probably the reason why her album has been shelved. The music industry is harsh. If she can't handle it at this stage, how is she going to feel if her album gets released, is a flop and gets dropped by the label. Perhaps just writing songs for others is a better option for her?
AUCF
Angry UK Chart Fan
So many CAPITALS, it's making ME cringe. Unprofesional TWEETS are so UNprofessional!!1!
SF
Stuart Fraser
Welcome to the real world. Although the label stands to make a lot of money if she has a successful album launch, they also stand to lose a lot if they release a flop album. Possibly they look at the relative failure of the releases which have been put out in her own name, and wonder, quite justifiably, whether she is worth the gamble. Perhaps also, the material she has been recording simply isn't good enough. Depending how much they have already sunk into her career, it might be better all round if they just cut their ties with her.
Will
I think her recent "album" thing was generally great