RAYE: Building an Original Voice and Fighting AI Clones

An 18-year-old barista in London praised by Drake, RAYE built a wholly original voice blending R&B, pop, grime, and UK garage. We trace how she constructed that sound from classical training and diverse influences, then confronted a modern nightmare when AI allegedly cloned her voice and went viral on TikTok without her permission.From classical singing lessons and the oboe to the SoundCloud explosion of Blue Lights, her strategic publishing deal that preserved her master recordings, and her history-making Brit Critics' Choice win, this is a story about building a voice and then fighting to protect its very essence.Her dual-heritage upbringing and rigorous classical vocal foundationThe Blue Lights SoundCloud breakout and Drake's early praiseRetaining master recordings through her own label FAM while signing a publishing dealThe five-year making of her debut album Lost and FoundThe AI voice-clone dispute over the track I Run and its legal implications