British Vogue’s Cover Star Raye On The Story Behind Her New Song ‘WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!’

0:05This is The Run Through. I'm Chloe Mal. And today on the show, Choma caught up with British Vogue's newest cover star, Ray, who I have to say is a big favorite at the U.S. Vogue offices, but also obviously at the British Vogue offices. They were chatting over Zoom from our London studios this week about what a huge year it has been for Ray. And I have to say, I thought this cover and story was exactly what, to me, a Vogue cover should be. It really introduces you in an intimate way to someone who you've started seeing everywhere. And so it feels like a real anointing of her as this global superstar.

0:45And Choma's British Vogue cover, which is this very old school black and white glamour shots of Ray photographed by Malik Bodian and styled by Ibi Kamara. I really loved that she talks about how she recently in Paris stayed out until 7 a.m. on the banks of the Seine drinking wine with strangers. So she's a global superstar and also still a woman of the people, the French people. But this year she was nominated for Best New Artist at the Grammys. She played at the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury. She performed the James Bond tribute at the Oscars. And we got a big scoop in Choma's conversation with Ray.

1:25She has new music and she told Choma all about it. She has a new single, Where Is My Husband?, which is out today, Thursday. And she is going on tour. So it was fun to hear her share who exactly she's going to be on tour with and what it was like to work on that new music. So here is Choma's conversation with Ray. I hope everyone enjoys as much as I did.

1:53Thank you for being on the British Vogue cover because I'm so excited. You're just one of my faves. Thank you for having me. My gosh, what a bucket list. yeah I didn't know if I'd ever see this day it's always been a dream of mine so um also thank you for having me oh my god of course I mean let's talk about the cover what was I heard it was a really fun vibe I heard I mean I'm really excited for you to see it I don't know if you've seen it yet no I haven't okay we can't I'm very excited to see it it's so fun I can't wait for you to see it I'm so excited. I know I'm wearing Chanel, which is, I love Chanel.

2:32It suits you, darling. It suits you. Do you know what? It's so classic. I mean, it's no stranger that both musically and in my style, I really just love that nostalgia and that timelessness, you know. So I feel like Chanel just does that for me. So first British folk cover in Chanel. Wow. What was the day like? Tell me about, because you shot in Paris. I know it was quite a mood. It was absolutely a mood. It was actually really, you know, aside from the looks, which Ibn Kamara just epped down, fitting was just like everything I tried on. I was like, okay, wow. And on the day, it was nice. You know, you guys had me going out of my comfort zone a bit, which is good.

3:19You know, you need to do those things. I had to do a shot walking around a fountain. Oh, that was, it's amazing. And I had to like go from far away. So, you know, the photographer's far away. So people are just looking at, who is this girl who just keeps walking around a fountain? And I'm just there like, you know, my shoulder trying to channel British folk, you know. It's so Dolce Vita. It's like, it's very like, it's very glam. It's very, it's gorgeous.

4:15It really is. and there was a moment which was very beautiful though I think towards the end of the day they just mocked up some of the pictures with the Vogue logo at the top of the picture and yeah like that was a real like heart stop wow moment for me of just like oh wow I'll never I don't think I'm ever going to forget that feeling that goes in in a life highlights feeling it was a very magical moment in that day yeah I feel like you must have had quite a few of those like heart-stopping magical life moments are there any that stick out I mean you're in such an amazing moment right now my goodness this year the Grammys was this year wasn't it I mean the Grammys that was so fab like that talk about a livestock moment i came off stage i'd never felt a feeling like that which is so interesting describe it for me oh my gosh it was a kind of form of electricity that if you if i could bottle that feeling and sell it i'd be a billionaire it was just i don't i think also because it was so quick right so you're like rushing from you go sit down you've got to get up get chained for this sit down get up and then just leave your table you know from just like ladyboggers over there everyone's around go behind the thing and I'm like oh my gosh I'm about to perform for like the greatest artists alive and I'm gonna sing for them like I have to deliver you know so it's that adrenaline kind of the highest form of adrenaline you ever kind of process as a human being just amounted into one moment and then the thing lifts up and you're like go you know and then it's it's so quick you know I think my signal is like three minutes or however long it is and you blink and then I came off stage and I was like I don't know what to do with myself I just felt so but you know also I think as a singer and I think all artists will tell you like you have moments where you're just pulling something apart ripping something apart you know something could have been better you've learned an important lesson for the future but in that specific performance I was like we did it I'm so proud of this you know I didn't feel like wow oh what if oh we should have oh I could have I just it was a real alignment yeah really proud of that moment oh it so came through it was such a joy to watch so what how did you prepare for that moment yeah it's funny I do make a lot of decisions in the moment on stage which is something I'm also learning there's a spontaneousness that I loved about your performance too because it didn't feel like it was like things aren't locked yeah yeah which is so cool it is cool but then there's also a it cannot go great kind of making spontaneous decisions which actually it's really interesting actually as being the kind of musician who I want to not solidify thing that you need certain things in place but for me it's a detriment to over prepare in terms of the musical aspect especially from a vocal perspective but like I feel like it's interesting because the Oscars for me I forgot about the Oscars damn no so that that was also insane but in a different way and I think the Grammys for me went so incredibly like but by my own musical perspective but the Oscars was like I took risks in my head that I was just like in the moment like yeah I'm just gonna sing big here whereas in rehearsals I'd sang very small in certain places and I'd sang soft in other places and I made so many last minute musical decisions live on the Oscar stage and then I looked back and I was like okay right so you know it's also understanding that being that artist I I want to be maybe does require sometimes you need to cement.

8:21Anyway, I learned a lot. I've learned a lot this year. I mean, you've been on some impressive stages this year, but I think everybody's really excited that you have new music coming and you've announced that there's the song Where Is My Husband is being released this week. It is. Basically, I'm doing a tour. I'm going on tour. Oh, my God. Exciting. Which is so exciting. I'm going on tour with my two little sisters as well, which is so beautiful. Laura's called This Tour May Contain New Music. Amazing. And I've announced my album for pre-order, which is also very exciting. Congratulations. Can't wait.

9:00Thank you. The album is not done, but I've announced it for pre-order. But do you know what? Sometimes you need to put those deadlines. Yeah, you need to put them a deadline. Really just... So that's happening.

9:15We're going to take a quick break, Be back in a moment.

9:29Hi, I'm Rebecca Ford, senior awards correspondent at Vanity Fair and co-host of Little Gold Men. Oscar season is upon us. Little Gold Men takes you behind the scenes of the race for the biggest prize in Hollywood. There's a hundred wrestlers in the room, but only one can be Oscar nominated. Whether you're a movie lover or an industry buff, Little Gold Men from Vanity Fair has everything you need to know about this year's Oscar race. Follow and listen to Little Gold Men wherever you get your podcasts.

10:10Going back to your live shows, I mean, I was really blown away by the fact that you had this full orchestra and it just adds so much drama and emotion. And I was wondering, when you're writing the music, do you already imagine how it will sound in that kind of setting? Oh, I think yes, more so now than ever. I think the last two or three years of my life being relatively mostly shows and mostly being a performer has massively affected the way that I've even began to create this next chapter and because it's just been so important to me. I think even whereas my husband itself is such a good example of this because I was playing this song on stages since Glastonbury and it's been evolving and I only handed in the record about a week ago.

11:07Wow. The final version, you know, and it's actually being on stage and feeling what parts connect, what parts feel flatter, what parts get you going. What is it about this moment that feels great? What is it about this moment that could be better? And it's been a real evolution of actually, I like something for my next album belonging on the stage and then working backwards. So I've been really enjoying that process. And I also think that's what's exciting about this tour, even though I probably should be thinking about handing in the album before we even go on tour. Oh my God. I don't know if that's going to happen.

11:41Deadlines. I need that pressure. I work well under pressure. But, you know, something developing on a stage, it really gives things a new context. I also believe maybe the analog music, you know, live instrumentation. And I've come from a world of electronic and dance music way, way back in the beginning of my career releasing. But before that, for me, it was jazz. And I think it's been a really interesting thing, translating dance music into an orchestral form. And then working out how that then translates to an audience. I have no doubt about this stuff. It gets me really excited. But I also think from when I released the first album to now, it was so funny.

12:22I was in a bookshop yesterday and someone was playing. I think they maybe saw me come in and they played Oscar Winning Tears. And I was listening to it and I was like, oh my God. That must happen a lot. Does that happen a lot when they're like, okay, cue music? It really does. I never know how to react. I was in a bookshop, so I was like, I'm going to keep looking at the books. I didn't really know what to do. It was really cute. And I heard the song and I was like, oh my gosh. I hadn't heard it in a really long time. And I think because we've taken music and developed it and refined it and evolved it.

12:51And then I was listening to the track and I was like, oh my gosh, this is really quite thin and quite different. Really stripped back. It's very not where I'm at right anymore. I think live and this orchestral translation and big band and even just how we've been developing things has really significantly changed my taste. And I think we're going to really heal that in this next body of work in terms of the indulgence and largeness and the drama and the richness of what something can and should be or what I want it to be. So, yeah, that's very exciting to me. And yeah, whereas my husband is the first single from that chapter, it's a new chapter.

13:28I'm so excited. I think you're going to be calling in your husband at this point Because that's a hell of a manifesting song Listen, I think no matter what you believe in this life What you speak out will come to pass If you speak positive things over yourself You allow those things to happen And I look at babies now And I'm like, oh wow I used to look at babies and be like Oh that's nice, you know what I mean? That's cute, congrats you know and now I look at babies and I'm like oh my gosh oh oh my god a baby ray would be so cute oh my gosh in order for that to happen me personally yeah I want a husband so I just need to find him and then I can get the whole life thing cracking so I figured this would actually be the perfect first song to release just to put it out there you know I think that's a good that's a good way to do it I always because of marketing do you know what I mean like husband apply here your your dms are going to be popping off girl like I am I hope you get to sort through this you know I've got a good feeling about this I'm hopeful what's like the perfect first date for you oh I'm trying to think the last time I went on a date like I think it's been like a year at least my perfect first date I find you know I kind of love a spontaneity like I I really enjoy like things not being overplanned.

14:59Maybe like we've had to meet at a pub or meet like a nice little restaurant. I don't know, meet somewhere. I'm a chatbot, so I can definitely keep a conversation alive. But I really enjoy like, oh, why don't we walk along here? And then, you know, when the night takes you somewhere random and unexpected, you know, which I love. So spontaneity. yeah I think is kind of what I love on a date and someone who's not afraid to like be silly and and allow anything to happen yeah I think the last date that I went on that I can remember was definitely maybe like a year and a half ago but we started in a pub and then we went for a walk and then we went for a walk by the canals and then we saw some guy making music on his boat and we made friends with him we went on the boat and then we were chatting and do you know what I mean it was just like a good vibe it just went to the place it was so random and I think that's the best kind of first date.

15:54Just an adventure. Yeah. I can't wait to hear that out. I mean, I'm so excited to hear what you've been working on. Thank you. So am I, because we've got a long way to go. A long way.

16:12More after a quick break.

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16:54you've really done an amazing job of kind of starting a wider conversation about what it means to sort of move through the industry as a woman as a black woman as a mixed race woman have artists reached out to you to share their experiences has it been something that you've gotten feedback over because I just feel like you've been quite brave and not backing down? I think there's a beautiful understanding between female artists, between female musicians, both session musicians, players, instrumentalists, writers, artists, creatives, graphic designers, directors, that has been more beautiful to really feel such a connection and an understanding, both unspoken, both even deeper, a couple of sentences, but like, I see you, you know, and actually just how beautiful that's been.

18:00You know, I'm very grateful that also through the things that I've been through and come out the other side of that I know without naming names, I've been able to be a shoulder for some other amazing female artists, you know, in a safe space that, you know, I've got this big sisterly instinct. I'm a big sister. I'm the oldest of four girls. Wow. This protect the girls, I really feel. So, you know, I know that there's some beautiful artists out there who are girls who call me up and be like, Ray, I need some advice or Ray, I'm struggling with this or I'll talk with or pray with or just be a support, you know.

18:42In a safe private space, I also learned the hard lesson of trust and just that trust is everything. so I'm a complete girl's girl and I'm holding you know I've made some beautiful friendships and really shared some special moments with some incredible girls who I'm just so proud of and they're out there shining and it's just um we're looking out for each other so that's really lovely I'm really grateful that my negative experiences has been able to give me wisdom and a resilience to share there's something so special about that that kind of sisterhood I think There really is, you know. It's not an easy feat.

19:16It's such a privilege. It's absolutely such a privilege to be able to get to do what you love for a living. It's such a privilege that you can almost feel like there's no safe space to express what you may find difficult, especially as a woman. and there's a real scrutiny there's a real shift that happens when your dreams start to come true but all of a sudden you've got new things to figure out new boundaries to figure out you know people that will take advantage of you it's a real new thing to navigate and I think that's where having someone to talk to and express yourself and speak about things off can be so invaluable you know and it's really such an amazing thing to get to live your dreams but there's a lot of change yeah it's real you know it's an adjustment hearing you talk I was talking to Michaela Cole about British Girl Energy and how much she oh I love her by the way yeah and you just exude British because she was talking about British Girl Energy I was like that's right British Girl Energy like it's just so like because I think when you when you go abroad when you live abroad for a bit and And you're just like, oh, I'm missing that British girl energy.

20:27And I'm just like, it's so you, Rae. You and Michaela, similar. I love that girl. Twin spirits. Yeah. Well, this is a fashion podcast. So we have to talk about your style, which is amazing. And it's evolved a bit over the course of your career. I was reading a profile from a Vogue profile about you from back in 2017. And you had the pink waves and a ponytail. And it was quite a different look. And now I think I'm seeing old Hollywood glamour. tell me a little bit about your current image and what brought you here. I think, honestly, what's really and truly shaped my style, actually, is my taste in jazz music.

21:08I think there's something about that time and that era, which is everything to me. When I even think back to the very first song I learned to sing as a kid, it was Let There Be Loved by Nat King Cole. I've always loved jazz. as a woman when I'd see how gorgeously these women would dress up I think like even Diana Ross when she was in her Supremes era it was this fabulous unapologetically beautiful round bob and this graphic eyeliner this beautiful lip like just glamour and how actually you know I really felt like experimenting with a style back when I first discovered my bob the bob is amazing oh and I don't know if I'm ever going to give up my bob I think it might be the bob for life yeah it's great on you thank you when my hairstylist first was like let's do a Hollywood blowout on you like six years ago however long it was I remember just looking myself in the mirror and being like this is it this is who I am wow so cool this is me you really feel like I get to put on this character of this artist I want to be yeah and then I think going off of that into my confidence of just a dress a ball gown glamour leaning into that and then deeper how that then tied in with my music and experimenting with a big band and then how that complemented my style and how I wanted to feel on stage and present myself on stage and even then the aspects of just no shoes and a fabulous dress.

22:45Yeah, it's so fab. It was just like, this is who I want to be. So it's been a really beautiful, really amazing time of finding myself over the years. You know, I look back at some old pictures of me as a kid, like, oh God, you know what I mean? Like my first Brit Awards, it was a damn shame. Like no one needs to have the big pictures. You know, but there's growth. Which is so great. And that's how it should be. It should feel like it's, you know, it's organic. It's you. It's your personality. What are you loving in your closet right now? Like, is there any, is there a piece that you're just like, I love this.

23:18I'm going back and back to this thing or. Well, to be honest, my stylist. We love Eniola. I love Eni. She is just like a godsend. and something I've been really excited about in this next chapter has been custom creating special unique pieces. I think there was something about the 60s which was like, it had an element of grandeur and costume, you know, even like we designed this, she designed it, helped me, I had nothing to do with it. I just said that one. This gorgeous fairbairn custom look had long sleeves and a slight mesh thing and this beautiful hip piece. and I was like oh my gosh like this feels so exciting to me I think I'm finally in the place where I'm ready to like push things a little bit in the fashion sense whereas before it's very much been like comfort and just give me a long dress you know and being kind of afraid of taking those fashion risks whereas actually I think I'm now in a place where I'm like any less go so we've been designing some exciting custom looks also Diana Ross being a big one of my fashion influences especially for this next chapter and the Supremes I've just been so in love with what we created at Glastonbury with Sarah Burton who I love Sarah Burton I love it Sarah Burton is obsessed with you too she came to the office and she just and her face just lit up when we talked about you so she is such a huge fan and I do I mean and you were there you were front row at her were you were you at her debut you were at her debut so you were in the room tell us everything she at down yeah she's amazing everything about her to me is just correct and I think what's so beautiful to me more than anything is when you have an artist which she is just an artist who is also just such a beautiful normal human being like for me seeing her art and seeing her brain in those pieces that came down that runway and I was just jaw on the floor and then getting to chat to her later that evening and we were just leaned up against the wall I was just like oh my gosh you are just yeah she's a real one she's a real one I love her she is such protect Sarah Burton at all cost yeah and actually it was that moment when we was leaning against the wall that I was like Sarah I know you've got so much going on you like you shot your shot you know I did I shot my shot I was like I know you've got a whole new creative director role at Givenchy however if you could find some time to design three dresses for my Glastonbury Pyramid Saves slot.

26:16I would be honored. And she then and there was like, yes. And let me tell you, Debra, about that process. Like it actually brought me to tears. She made me some sketches. When I tell you there must have been at least 50 60 70 designs in these sketches she made me feel so valued and so special and so seen and like that moment wasn't just some sort of like she cares like I was looking through this thing like you're like what and each design was intricate had a fabric assigned to it a silhouette I love that woman. I couldn't gush about her any harder. But what an amazing experience. And she helped me to create these dresses for that Glastonbury moment, which I felt so beautiful in.

27:11My gals felt so beautiful in. And I think it also began the language of this really exciting thing for me, working with two backing vocalists and what we've created musically and from a fashion sense that me and Eni are really excited to continue this kind of symmetry on stage, which just has such a classic feeling to it, you know, even Dreamgirls vibes, you know. So Sarah Burton, I love you. Ah, she loves you back. She loves you back. And I'm so glad that you had that moment because it was perfect, Glastonbury. And I think there's more with you and Sarah to come. But speaking of things that are coming up, it seems like somebody has a birthday coming up.

27:52Oh, do you know what I was thinking? I was thinking maybe I should have a party. You should. Right? Yeah. I don't do anything. Normally I just invite some friends over and we just chill. It could be a chill party too. It doesn't have to be a big to-do. You know what? I think I want to do a games party because I love games. That's so fun. I love a bit of blackjack or a poker night or maybe rent somewhere and just do a board game or some board games, something like that. I love a good games night. Yeah. I think that would be perfect for you. Before we let you go, what are you watching? I don't even know if you have time to do that right now, but what are you watching, listening to, reading?

28:34What's on your list? Listening to, I've been listening to Joao Hilberto. He's the bossa nova legend. Yes, of course. Oh, I love him. Just like medicinal and it's honestly, it's gorgeous. Beautiful, beautiful music. um but my downtime I actually confess I just play my Nintendo Switch like I'm a big I love that but yeah there's a game called Donkey Kong Bananas which I've been just playing run around collect bananas it's really quite an amazing game actually it's escapers in a minute in a pure healthy form I um that's been I have a Super Mario wall like in my oh my god I'm finding out things I did not know about you this is a surprise I'm living all 1960s yeah and then Super Mario wall.

29:19It's quite funny. It is quite funny. Like all the cuddly toys and all. Yeah, it's quite funny. I have a little obsession. Hilarious. Hilarious. Well, it's been such a pleasure to have you on the podcast. Congratulations on your amazing cover. And thank you so much. Thank you so much for your time. Thank you. Like, I'm a thank you. All right. That's it for the show. See you next week.

29:51The Run-Through is produced by Chelsea Daniel, Alex DePalma, and Stephanie Cariucci, with help from Emily Elias. It's engineered by Pran Bandy and James Yost. It is mixed by Mike Kutchman. Chris Bannon is Conde Nast's head of Global Audio.

30:17From PRX.