'I'm done being a polite pop star': Raye claims record label is stopping her from releasing album

Brit Award-nominated singer Raye has claimed she has not been allowed to release an album by her record label, despite being signed since 2014.

In a series of tweets, the 23-year-old said she had signed a four-album deal in 2014, adding she is “sick of being slept on”.

She wrote: “I have had albums on albums of music sat in folders collecting dust, songs I am now giving away to A-list artists because I am still awaiting confirmation that I am good enough to release an 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

“For context, in order for an album to be created, the label has to release money for songs to be finished, fees for producers, mixes, masters and marketing support etc… I have waited 7 years for this day and I am still waiting.

“So now I’m being told if Call On Me [her latest single] does well then I can do my album but there can’t be a green light until. 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.”

Raye, real name Rachel Agatha Keen, also said that she refuses to suffer in silence anymore, and that she is done being polite, adding: “I’ve done everything they [the record label] asked me, I switched genres, I worked 7 days a week, ask anyone in the music game, they know. I’m done being a polite pop star. I want to make my album now, please that is all I want.”

Sky News has contacted her label, Polydor, for a response to the claims.

The south Londoner had earlier tweeted an image of herself seemingly crying, adding that she feels “like a toilet” in reference to her mental health.

Fellow artists have expressed support for Raye, with producer MNEK saying: “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.”

Charli XCX also responded, tweeting: “Ugh hate this, I support u Raye.

“My advice is to make the entire thing, artwork/font/music/everything. Tell them to pay everyone & scream at them till they release it. If u played nice then get mean coz u have hits & ur a great artist & they work for u not the other way around [sic].”

Last year the singer released a “mini-album”, Euphoric Sad Songs, made up of nine tracks, and has five EPs to her name, dating back to 2014.

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She headlined her own tour in 2018, and has supported the likes of Jess Glynne, Halsey and Khalid at their shows.

Earlier this year she was nominated for best British single at the Brit Awards for her 2020 track with Regard, Secrets – but was beaten to the trophy by Harry Styles with Watermelon Sugar.

Raye released Call On Me earlier this month, which currently sits at 86 in the UK charts, while Bed, her collaboration with Joel Corry and David Guetta, is at 27.

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