Ray Blk announces a Roundhouse 2022 performance
RAY BLK ANNOUNCES LIVE SHOW FOR FEB 2022ExternalInbox
RAY BLK ANNOUNCES LIVE SHOW FOR FEB 2022 HIGHLY ANTICIPATED DEBUT ALBUM ‘ACCESS DENIED’OUT OCTOBER 1 ON ISLAND RECORDS
NEW SINGLE “OVER YOU” FT. STEFFLON DON OUT NOW
PRE ORDER ‘ACCESS DENIED’ HERE
LISTEN TO “OVER YOU” HERE
“Although the album is called ‘Access Denied’, Ray BLK has granted us the first glimpse into her rebirth, and we’re ready for the ride.” NME *****
“The debut studio album from Ray Blk
should already be on your list of things to look forward to” – Complex
‘Access Denied’ has proven itself every bit worth the wait.” DIY ****
“When you can switch between soulful vocals and biting verses as seamlessly as Ray BLK does here, this debut deserves to be more than a mere platform for her talents: it should be a podium.” Loud & Quiet 7/10
“An inheritor to Lauryn Hill’s soulful crown” The Times
Ray Blk, one of the most powerful, challenging and important voices in music, breaking the glass ceilings for black female artists today announces a Roundhouse performance in February 2022, just after releasing her eagerly awaited debut studio album ‘ACCESS DENIED’ on October 1st via Island Records. Tickets to her highly anticipated show are available here: http://gigst.rs/RblkPR
Speaking about the album, Ray says: “I’ve been looking forward to this moment of releasing my debut album since I was 13 in the studio with MNEK learning how to write songs and knew for certain I wanted to be a singer. Access Denied is for those who like myself, know disappointment too well and have learned to create boundaries as a coping mechanism for self-protection. I’ve opened up about how the childhood I had made me guarded, how disappointing relationships made me fear love and how being told no so many times in the music industry kicked me down, but I got back up.”
Featured guests on the 14-song set range from Giggs to Stefflon Don, Kojey Radical, Suburban Plaza, and Kaash Paige. “Access Denied” has been years in the making and Ray is thrilled that she will be able to share her artistry, heart and soul with her fans.
PRE-ORDER ‘ACCESS DENIED’: https://RAYBLK.lnk.to/AccessDeniedPR
Listen to “Over You” HERE
Ray has spent lockdown writing and recording her long-awaited debut album which promises to be one of the cultural highlights of the year, reminding everyone what a truly special and unique artist she is. She also wrote and performed “Warriors”, the lead track from the hugely acclaimed 8 times BAFTA nominated film “Rocks”, which has also been nominated for Sync Of The Year at this year’s Music Week Awards.Proving that she has other strings to her bow, Ray hosted a 12-week run of the Apple Agenda Show with Mabel, Mahalia, Ghetts and many more. As well as this, she fronted a special Black History Blackout Radio show for Apple music which showcased her passion and knowledge about black women in music including interviews with legends Ms Dynamite and Estelle.
Following her highly acclaimed Oxford University and Ted talks, Ray was also invited by Cambridge University to discuss what Black History Month means to her and share her experience as a black woman in the entertainment industry with the Cambridge Union.
Tour Dates:
THU 17 FEB 2022 LONDON ROUNDHOUSE
About Ray BLK:
Known for her no-holds barred lyrics and straight talking, whether it’s on or off the mic, Ray BLK (real name Rita Ekwere) is going to speak her mind. “I always have to get everything off my chest,” says singer-songwriter. “As an artist and somebody who’s been blessed with a platform, I feel like it is part of my responsibility.”
The 26-year-old artist is celebrated for music that makes a statement and her new single “Lovesick”, recent track “Warriors” the lead song from the hugely acclaimed ROCKS film and forthcoming album prove that the ultimate girl’s girl is back with messages of tough love, a catalogue of quotables and a renewed focus on self-love. The outcome is the musical equivalent of the unfiltered girl talk from your most raucous WhatsApp group chat.
Sonically and thematically, it’s both a throwback to the rawness of her ‘Durt’ days as well as a sleeker, slicker sound that is ushering in what she refers to as her “gangster era”. “I’m really owning myself, where I’m from, what I feel and I’m just not giving a shit,” she says. In this album, she is embracing the realness we have become accustomed to; the prettiest of voices sat atop a grittiness that thoroughly sets her apart from her peers.