Three months after she debuted the song during her show-stopping 2024 Brits performance, RAYE has finally unveiled “Genesis,” a thrilling seven-minute epic, the lead-off to a four-track EP that stands as her first piece of new music this year.
At the top of the year, RAYE made history at the 2024 Brits when she broke the record for most wins (6) and nominations (7) for an artist in a single year. In addition to picking up the trophies for best new artist, best R&B act, British artist of the year, and songwriter of the year, RAYE also triumphed in British album of the year for her acclaimed debut LP My 21st Century Blues — which reached No. 58 on the Billboard 200 — and song of the year for the 070 Shake-assisted “Escapism,” which peaked at No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In a May 31 Instagram post, RAYE described “Genesis” as “a 7 minute labour of love [she has] been working on since 2022.” Produced by two-time Grammy winner Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, “Genesis” unfolds across three acts through which RAYE delivers some of her most visceral and confessional songwriting to date. From stirring strings and triumphant horns to influences that include big band jazz, hip-hop, R&B, gospel and pop, “Genesis” reveals itself to be more than a standard radio single. Giving her embattled past one last survey before she prepares for the road ahead, RAYE’s new single is a grand introduction to her next era.
“I see a sad little sinner, in the mirror/ The devil works hard, like my liver/ I don’t wanna be alive, but I don’t wanna die/ A fist full of pills and rivers in my eyes,” she croons in the chorus. “I’ve nothin’ left to lose, dear God in the sky/ Hear my cry, hear my cry/ When it’s too dark to see/ Let there be light, let there be light.”
Since her Brits performance, RAYE has steadily teased her new song across special pop-up activations and subsequent live sets. She performed “Genesis” at the final shows of her My 21st Century Blues Tour as well as her Saturday Night Live musical guest debut (April 6). The “Prada” singer officially announced the single’s release date on May 17. Earlier this week (June 3), she hosted the Genesis Exhibition in New York City to further promote the new song.
The official music video for “Genesis” will premiere on YouTube at 10 a.m. ET on June 7.
Stream RAYE’s “Genesis” now.
