Raih Indie Spirit Award, RAYE Celebrate Success through Independent Route

JAKARTA - Rachel Agatha Keen, better known by the stage name RAYE, successfully brought home the Indie Spirit Award at the Billboard Indie Power Players event held at The Cutting Room, Manhattan, New York, on Tuesday, June 9 local time.

This award marks the momentum of the revival of the career of the British solo musician after deciding to break out of the shackles of major record labels to pioneer an independent path.

When accepting the trophy on the podium, the singer of "Escapism" delivered an emotional speech that highlighted the twists and turns and the pain of his journey in the music industry. RAYE recalled his childhood ambition that had been burning since he was ten years old, when he firmly convinced his father that he only wanted to be a professional musician.

However, the childhood dream was hit by a bitter reality when he signed a contract with Polydor Records, a major record label where he spent seven years in frustration due to lack of artistic freedom.

In his speech, the 28-year-old singer openly criticized music industry executives who often limit the potential and creativity of musicians for commercial interests only.

"This industry is not simple at all, and the journey I've been through is very complicated. Out there, there are people - sometimes those who wear neat suits - who feel they know everything. They dare to look you in the eye and determine the limits of your ability, saying that this is the end of what you can achieve," said RAYE.

"I just want to encourage us all to ignore these lies," he added.

After years of his work being held back, RAYE finally took the brave step to break the contract and move independently. He then met J Erving, founder of Human Re Sources, who was the only party to believe in the material of his debut independent album, "My 21st Century Blues", when all other labels thought his musical arrangements were too strange and complicated for the commercial market.

The decision proved to be a sweet result when the song "Escapism" exploded on various world music charts just three weeks after its release - an achievement that simultaneously silenced public doubts who thought the singer's music career had ended after leaving the major label.

"When we released the first two singles, everyone was whispering and laughing at me, thinking my career was over. But my father always encouraged that the most important thing is art, creating good art, because that's the only thing that is under our full control as creators," said RAYE.

"If I used to listen to those labels, maybe now I've believed their lies," he concluded.

For information, the Billboard Indie Power Players that night also gave honorary awards to legendary musician Rubén Blades and The Orchard founder Richard Gottehrer.