Raye Details 'Traumatic' Drug and Alcohol Spiral, Family Feared for Her Life
The singer revealed that 2019 was a 'pretty dark year' marked by substance abuse and industry disillusionment.
Singer Raye has opened up about a period of intense drug and alcohol use in 2019, describing it as a "pretty dark year" where her family feared for her life. The 28-year-old artist, whose real name is Rachel Keen, shared that the substance abuse and cumulative industry frustrations contributed to her hitting rock bottom during a stint in Los Angeles.
Raye, who was signed by Polydor Records in 2014 and gained early fame at 19, explained that five years into her record deal, she became disillusioned as executives pushed unwanted projects and withheld her debut album. This period of industry conflict and personal struggles culminated in 2019.
Her sister, Lauren Keen, known professionally as Amma, recounted the harrowing experience of witnessing Raye's spiral. "It would be me that had to double check that she was okay and yeah, she was still alive frankly," Amma said in a joint interview for CBS' Sirius radio. Raye confirmed she was using "other stuff" at that time, though she continues to drink.
"I was really in the deep end," Raye stated, adding that a Bible verse about sobriety sent by her grandmother, who was unaware of the extent of her struggles, served as a catalyst for recovery. "She didn't know anything that was going on," Raye explained. "I was very good at hiding what I was going through and what I was doing from my family. But that Bible verse kicked me in the teeth a bit."
Raye's career took a significant turn in 2021 when she was released from her contract. She has since found considerable success as an independent artist. Her debut studio album, "My 21st Century Blues," released in 2023, achieved critical acclaim, reaching number two on the UK charts and earning a Mercury Prize nomination. That same year, her track "Escapism" featuring 070 Shake went viral on TikTok and topped the charts.
In 2024, Raye made history by winning six Brit Awards, including British Album of the Year. She also spoke out about a past assault by a music producer when she was 17, revealing that she still suffers from panic attacks and post-traumatic stress disorder as a result.
Raye's second studio album, "This Music May Contain Hope," was released independently in March 2026, preceded by the single "Where Is My Husband," which became her second UK number-one hit and reached number six on the Billboard Global 200. The artist recently announced a one-off symphonic performance of the album at London's Royal Albert Hall on October 23.
