RAY BLK’s Next Act Is Big
As she prepares for the release of her new EP, ‘A Forest Fire,’ the Lagos-born sensation opens up about the therapeutic power of music and her foray into the world of acting.
RAY BLK was always destined for the stage. “I was such a dramatic child,” she tells us via Zoom. “I would make up stories to entertain my family and act them out at home.” Music eventually won out, but as of late, that desire to act has made a return; more to follow on that later.
Born Rita Ekwere in Lagos, Nigeria, music held a special place in her family home, citing gospel melodies and the voices of Mary J. Blige and Mariah Carey as key influences. She began writing her own raps at just seven years old. By 15, she had written and produced an album, crafted from beats ripped from YouTube and posted on SoundCloud. Fast forward to today and RAY has released three EPs and two albums, performed on some of the biggest world stages, including Glastonbury and even completed a headline tour across the U.S.
Beyond the music, she’s making waves in the acting world, too. She recently made her debut in the British TV series, Champion and is set to star in her first U.S. role in a new Paramount series, opposite Michael Fassbender and Richard Gere.
Ahead of the release of A Forest Fire, we met up with RAY to talk about her music career to date, toxic relationships and her next act.
What inspired you to start writing music?
I started making music because I just wanted to sing. I just really wanted the opportunity and I was ready to sing anything. When I wrote the songs for my first album, Havisham, I poured myself into my experiences, but didn’t have a clear idea of what I wanted to sound like. Over the years, I’ve become more comfortable in the industry, developed my technical skills and found my niche.
Which brings us to your new EP, A Forest Fire. What was the inspiration behind it?
I was really inspired by one of my favorite artists, James Blake and his second album, I Need A Forest Fire. The lyrics are about a relationship that needs to break down completely in order to rebuild, like how a forest fire clears everything out for new growth.
In 2022, when I wrote most of A Forest Fire, I was navigating a challenging period. I felt like it was falling apart: I changed my team, left my record label and was in a toxic relationship. The only thing that helped me get through it was channeling my emotions into music. That catharsis was vital and I just kept reminding myself that there had to be something better on the other side of this.
I’ve realized that despite being really happy at the moment, life is suffering. I know it sounds so morbid and depressing, but life is both joy and suffering. There is not one without the other.
Can you share some insights into your creative process?
I really want my music to come from a real place, so a lot of my songs come from conversations I have with people. Comfort – and trust – is essential. Writing and creating songs is a vulnerable experience, not just because of the content, but also because others are watching you throughout the creative process. It can be really bad before it becomes good, but you have to feel comfortable enough to embrace failure. So it’s crucial for me to work with people who I feel safe around and know that we both have a vested interest in creating something amazing, rather than it being centered around an ego or the final product.
It feels like everything has come full circle for me. I started writing songs simply because I wanted to sing and now I’m doing exactly that while staying true to who I am.
How important is your on-stage persona or performance style to that?
My performance style has changed so much over the years. When I first began performing, I felt pressured to adopt a different persona and look a certain way. Growing up, I was watching Beyoncé perform in stunning, bedazzled outfits and six-inch heels. I felt like that was the standard. Now, I’m way more into comfort because I realize I perform my best when I’m my true self. There’s nothing worse than being on the stage and wearing something that’s really restrictive. I want to feel confident and give my best performance, which comes when I’m comfortable in what I wear.
What’s the most unforgettable outfit you’ve worn on stage?
I had this outfit custom-made for my last headline show in 2022. It was a boned, leather corset, attached to a skirt that had multiple layers. It sounds crazy, but I felt super comfortable and sexy in it. More of a fierce and strong kind of sexy rather than overtly sexy, which is exactly how I want to feel.
You’ve made your acting debut, too. What does the future hold?
Acting was always something I wanted to do and I starred in Champion, which was just such an incredible experience. I’m doing a new Paramount series with Michael Fassbender, Jeffrey Wright and Richard Gere, which has also been much fun. Hopefully I can take on more acting projects in the future.
When it comes to music, I often find myself wanting to relive those unforgettable moments. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to perform at places like Glastonbury, but I remember feeling overwhelmed with fear and anxiety beforehand. I questioned whether anyone would even want to see me. But once I stepped on stage, it was so crazy and everyone was cheering so loudly that I don’t think I fully grasped the experience at the time. I want to do those things again and actually be able to digest that moment, because it’s not normal that all these people are singing my songs back to me. It was an incredible experience.
I also think I could potentially go into another genre of music – maybe punk rock? A part of me still really loves punk rock. I saw Beth Ditto at this fashion party recently and we sang together and I had such an amazing time. I was so obsessed with The Gossip at one stage in my life, so I would love to collaborate with her.
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