RAYE has spoken candidly about being repeatedly compared to Amy Winehouse, opening up about what she described as the “same evil” energy that the late singer endured at the hands of the media and public commentary.
In a new interview with Elle, the British artist reflected on how her music — a rich blend of jazz, soul, R&B and hip-hop — has naturally drawn comparisons to some of the genre’s most iconic voices, including Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, and most persistently, Amy Winehouse.
@ellemagazine Worldwide pop phenom @Raye ♬ original sound - 𝙈𝙮 𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙚 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩
During the conversation, RAYE even shared a snippet of an unreleased song with the journalist, which directly references the constant comparisons that follow her career. She acknowledged that the parallels are not entirely unfounded, explaining that both she and Winehouse “lived and breathed” many of the same musical influences, from classic jazz vocalists to raw, emotionally driven songwriting.
However, she was clear that admiration does not equal imitation. “I’m aware that what she did is irreplaceable and inimitable and that is what it is. Amy done it so well that no one can ever do what she did,” RAYE said. “And God rest her soul she gave her her whole life for us to enjoy the music that she left behind.”
Where the comparison becomes painful, she explained, is in the cruelty that often accompanies it. “What’s difficult for me is when people are so horrible, rude, nasty, and evil with their words, ‘You’ll never be her. You are an absolute failure. You disgust me trying to think that you could even be remotely like she was,’” she said.
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For RAYE, those comments echo a familiar and troubling pattern. “And it’s like the funny thing to me about the way they’re speaking to me is, it’s that same evil [that Amy faced],” she added. “I’m not saying I’ve experienced even a hundredth of what that girl was put through, but it comes from a similar place.”
Winehouse’s treatment by the press in the mid-2000s has since been widely criticised, with many acknowledging that the relentless scrutiny of her personal life overshadowed her extraordinary talent and contributed to her struggles. RAYE’s comments highlight how, despite increased awareness around mental health and artist wellbeing, female musicians are still often subjected to harsh, dehumanising narratives.
The interview comes at a pivotal moment in RAYE’s career. After years of industry frustration, she has emerged as one of the most critically acclaimed artists of her generation, earning widespread praise for her raw lyricism and uncompromising honesty. Her recent work has been celebrated for reclaiming creative control and refusing to soften difficult truths for mass appeal.
@fallontonight @Raye performs “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!” #FallonTonight #TonightShow #RAYE ♬ original sound - Raye
She is also currently on tour, bringing her live show to audiences across Europe, with Dublin among the cities on her schedule later this year. For Irish fans, the upcoming date offers a chance to see an artist who is not only pushing musical boundaries, but openly challenging the industry culture that has historically chewed up and discarded women who dare to be vulnerable.
As RAYE continues to carve out her own legacy, her words serve as both a tribute to Amy Winehouse and a warning — that talent should never come at the cost of compassion.
