How Raye Made ‘Escapism’ a Smash Hit | The Breakdown

It's ironic how Raye’s hardest song to sing is also the one she has to perform the most. “People are like, ‘She sounds so out of breath.’ I’m like shut the fuck up! Where do I breathe?” she tells Rolling Stone with a laugh about her smash hit “Escapism.” “Tell me where to breathe!”
Since the song’s release late last year, the track has garnered 507 million streams and counting on Spotify. With its key changes and rapid raps, it’s one of the most interesting hits in the last several years and one of the singer’s proudest moments.
“I wanted the effect of information and lyrics just pouring out,” she says. “But I didn’t think about the live repercussions of those decisions.”
“Escapism” carried the promotion of her album My 21st Century Blues, her first LP since freeing her of her record label and dropping as an independent artist. The LP features songs such as “Flip a Switch,” “Ice Cream Man,” and “Hard Out Here.”

[@jessicafoulger2177]

I love how passionate Raye is about her art. So much thought to every intrinsic detail.

[@bartpickford1836]

Definitely agree. So versatile and she has great presence. She shapes the lyrics in such a meaningful way, all of which makes the music so three dimensional

[@Scortch-bonnitli7yg]

She’s a Christian after all wonder how the Muslims feel

[@therookiezpresents]

i actually always preferred "done decision" to dumb decision lmaooo so interesting to hear the story with that

[@maryanneevans8812]

Me too!!!!

[@chaimaamlouk]

Trueee!!! I always sing done decision instead of dumb. It just sits perfectly for me

[@manaralobaidi3444]

Same

[@normalizenatalie]

pushing your earrings back like they're your hair is so slay

[@urbanzs]

White people stop using aave wrong challenge: Impossible

[@charlottestannoo]

Will surely go down as one of the best songs of the decade, just doesn’t get old 🔥

[@JackCarrollNumber1]

you best believe i will dancing to it in 2030

[@caolanmurray5640]

RAYE is a real artist she is passionate about her music, these days there isn’t good music but RAYE’s new music is so good. RAYE made a no skip album most of her songs on the album are underrated like five star hotel

[@adamdevereaux2713]

There’s tons of good music. Tons of passionate and intentional artists who make good music.

[@caolanmurray5640]

​@@adamdevereaux2713the most popular artist don't have good music like raye anymore that's why underrated artist should be heard because most underrated artist have good music

[@charlotteerika2455]

this comment has made me save it

[@DreamcoreNenci]

@@adamdevereaux2713but the real artists who produce and write their own music aren’t as famous as mainstream artists that don’t write and produce their own music.

[@jazzy4cool]

Maybe try to delve into something out the mainstream ?

[@ulazolla635]

I wish she gets recognized. Her album deserves a Grammy!

[@osmanhyusmen]

I just love how passionate this girl is. She is such an artist, the lyrics the vocals… this girl CAN sing. The song is amazing, she feels it. I want her to be great pop star!

[@PeachyKeeners]

I love how in love she is with creation. And her voice is SO beautiful wow. I would love to hear a live jazz/blues performance from her

[@emmasmith3823]

I love the dumb/decision line because you can see who hears what and can decide yourself what word you like better because they both fit.

[@apple44326]

I love how Rolling Stone values and shares the stories of artists and puts them in the spotlight not just as singers but as well rounded multifaceted creatives showcasing ALL their talents.

[@melsyoutube]

escapism deserves a grammy nomination for song of the year.

[@mrlately]

It feels so good seeing talent wins ♥ Leaving a major label and then getting the biggest hit of your career must be exciting af.

[@SophiaFerro]

I still want her to perform in American awards and Grammys. She’s all over Europe but America only knows Escapism and she has so many other amazing songs as well: Black Mascara, Flip A Switch, Hard Out Here, that can still blow up at any moment. On top of the unreleased hit songs she has for example: Fantastique(MY JAM) and Born Again which I hope make it to a deluxe version or her sophomore album ❤ I discovered her when “Secrets” came out and that’s the only song I had from her until Escapism and one day I got High and fell in love with her and haven’t looked back ❤

[@AngTi-ji3bx]

Trust me, we here in the Americas know more tha Escapism. She'll be at those places soon. At the end of the day, the music industry is just polictics, including here in the USA. I personally know her entire discography, but most of my favorite artists aren't performing at the Grammys. Except maybe Victoria Monet this up coming year.

[@Open_Space0718]

When you're an independent artist you don't need America, the Corps insist on that for money. But when you're doing it yourself that stateside thing isn't the most important thing. That idea is changing now.

[@melizmatea]

omg you are so right! She's beyond almost any other performer out there right now, she should be heard! But I bet she will be! Surely SNL gave her some good exposure and I hope that kickstarts things because that was one of the best performances I've seen on there in years!

[@user-lh6co3jt8z]

She is truly incredible I could listen to her talk for years and years

[@kylemathew6503]

Raye deserves all the success after what she’s been through. She never gave up and people recognise and appreciate the hustle. So proud of you gurl ❤

[@SD-vz3zx]

This woman is off the charts🎉! Interview for Raye, and Raye singing the praises of others? … What a sweetheart

[@thatandreamusic]

So glad she mentioned how hard it is to do live. Been trying to cover this the past week and the amount of control you need to get all those words oit

[@jessicay8207]

i just cant believe i used to know her and went to the same school and now shes a legendary pop star - it is SO COOL

[@freehand6127]

How was she in school? Was she just as cool?

[@DADDYCHAD875]

Listening to her debut album was THE BEST decision i've ever made honestly. I remember not that long ago hearing about it on Twitter and then i was blown away by the music. It was so refreshing to hear something brand new with in-depth lyrics and it's not just something shallow and empty like most music nowadays. She gave me hope for music cuz i gave up on listening to brand new music cuz i thought that music was dead but WOW Raye has reinstated my hope that new music can be good and they cam have depth and be highly introspective and can be GREAT. 👍 😊❤️

[@JTytshorts]

She is an incredible artist and performer. So happy she’s gotten the attention her music deserves.

[@jas_bataille]

It's great to finally see an artist of this caliber acknowledging the genius of her collaborators. She doesn't have any issues with her ego... many times there are so many genius people involved in the production of a single song but they never ever get credited. Bravo!

[@CBoxAlmighty]

It’s beautiful how she talks about music

[@conacc]

I discovered Raye 4 years ago and I just knew she would explode the pop scene. The passion, the talent, the voice, the flow, the production …. She’s an amazing artist

[@samnewman4314]

How did they not play RAYE’s hard out here!!!

[@Joy-hs8zc]

Raye is awesome!! And her debut album is too. Definitely an artist I'll be following.

[@norbylive]

That piano version was brazy, real artist

[@GundL0213]

Amazing breakdown, the context around shooting the video and the artwork is mad. Love her energy;

[@damiendalgaard5524]

Ever since i was i little boy i cant remember an artist that i was so passionate about and so in love with, like i am with Raye. She is everything.

[@syncl_rity7508]

RAYE is a gamechanger. Songs like this aren’t “supposed to” go to Number 1. Loved hearing the very much D.I.Y. process behind some parts of the music video. Also glad she told us about the cover, clarifying that it is the inside of her mouth - she really aimed for the stars and shot for that.

[@Empressofthoughts]

I always knew she's gonna be a super star

[@michalshababoofficial4347]

Amazing, exceedingly talented, honest, real artist. So glad you are out there and getting more and more recognition

[@ksamband]

Really shows her in a great light when you only know that hit. A great moment with her.

[@jojociara5201]

What a beautiful human being with incredible voice and talent, genuine and humble to the max. Give her a Grammy ASAP

[@perryjones7771]

She’s a mixture of Adele and Amy but retro.

[@Illogical_Tales]

Can you please explain?

[@Soleil_.99]

Not at all, she’s Raye

[@lunisali4814]

I really feel that passion in the music video! It's a masterpiece. And 070 is so good on this track, that voice from the darkness... I've been really hit by this song, it was so fresh in the musical landscape then. A huge "risk" I guess : the "codes" haven't been respected, even the length of the track. But it's soooo good! Thank you Raye and your team for this!

[@AnaDaSilveira]

this is one of my favourite songs of all time. seeing her in Toronto opening for Kali was amazing. she's absolutely incredible live and such a great performer. very excited to see what the future looks like for her, I'm sure it's pure greatness.

[@AImaniaX]

You created a masterpiece! The song is like nothing I've heard, it has heart and soul.

[@fabianraad]

Loved this behind the scenes 💘

[@inanotherworld3270]

Raye you are just a superstar. Felt so lucky to hear Escapism first in Amsterdam. What a song it feels how you intended. Its a fucking hit! Love you

[@IamSHAR_]

she's my absolute favourite for sooo may reason. Raye please keep on Raye-ing

[@fkaangel]

she is such a true artist. if you’ve had the pleasure to see her live (i saw her open for kali uchis this year) and she is INCREDIBLE live. the only song i knew going in was Escapism and i left a full fan. she had me in chills her entire set and made me cry during Ice Cream Man. i hope she keeps getting all the flowers she’s been getting with this album

[@ShredderTainment]

She had me hooked when I watched her tiny desk… such a beautiful human!

[@kailaredwine]

I love the song & her! 🫶🏽✨

[@ilikedabeans9971]

Important tip: Sort comments by newest to see comments that youtube hides.

[@abdullahjaved0330]

Came here after her Brits night and wow, so glad she got her big moment. What a talent!

[@BeingTiffany]

shes such an amazing artist, even more so hearing her live!

[@XiePepper]

You deserve the world! ♥

[@zanti551]

her hairrrr >>>>>

[@desireme3019]

Raye is a genius so intentional in her art!

[@bartpickford1836]

I've never been bored of or disappointed by rayes music or performances.

[@chasingjohn]

Such a talent. Such an artist.

[@stansmith3239]

She is so wonderful ❤

[@itsmyremoteviewingjourney6656]

love the lyrics of the song, they connect...super talent!

[@marisoul9285]

Love, love, love this record! When I first heard it last year I was going through it!!!! This song got me through a lot of dark times ❤ Congratulations Raye on all your success ❤💪🏼🥳

[@elisachacon9246]

Beautiful!!! 🥺

[@tommih597]

Absolutely fell in love with her voice the first time I heard the album

[@oulasuliman7135]

For adopting the piano version of escapism in live shows

[@LAVISHING]

Thanks for everything my friend!

[@sophiae165]

Great Lyrics. A reminder of how I felt in moments back then.

[@JTytshorts]

She is so cute how she gets excited about her art💙💙💙

[@Moyopheus]

What an amazing track, what a machine of a song!

[@mrlately]

GRAMMYS YOUR BETTER PAY HER RESPECT

[@KeciasTourLife]

And they totally slept on her! 😡

[@mollywg]

people NEED to stop sleeping on Raye like ???? the work ethic the passion the talent like come on

[@charlotte4219]

The way she explained it so professional. 🎉❤

[@voyageusesuisse7541]

She is so incredible!!!!

[@crryyinggg]

Amazing🐐

[@tugceo3]

i absolutely love this woman

[@slpurdy1159]

Explain me this…it’s August 5 - why have I not tired of My 21st Century Blues after playing it almost every day since the 1st week of March. Maybe each song hits different but mostly I think the vocals are magical and when I pay attention…I find it hard to believe. Vocals, speech, rap…all on point and the engineering is Stevie Wonder-like. Clearly my album of the year. Thank You RAYE. She calls Mike Sabath a genius & that’s exactly how I feel about her.

[@kadenisrice]

i got to see her live in detroit and it was one of the best moments of my life. she is SO good

[@oc5939]

Raye is an incredible artist. Once in a lifetime talent. 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@amayaraymond4486]

Masterpiece ❤ this song

[@EDM024]

Incredible.... This woman is incredible

[@coadyt.benett2678]

😢❤I love you Raye

[@aal3yiah]

This woman has my whole heart

[@Love.better]

Masterpiece!!!!

[@d.j.w.wordsandsounds8429]

0:08 😮 The scating gets me every time. GO RAYE!🦂

[@itsryanlovell]

beautiful

[@priscillafigueiredocorrea5661]

Love it!!!

[@MasterpieceTheatreDM]

simply, chills.

[@dontrunk]

I love this woman omg i can imagine a session with her ❤

[@kyliejenner312]

Raye my love♥♥♥

[@johanwerther]

God, that song is so incredible.... Historic

[@AlexPGSV]

amazing

[@caramelbaba]

we dont see real passion these days, love love love Raye

[@AndriMeliti]

oh shes just the realest I can't. She's such an amazing artist and so incredibly funny

[@michaelastrange6857]

Love this

[@02zdae36]

Beauty in the struggle 💯💯💯

[@itsyellama3595]

Raye deserves everything 🤍🤍

[@czaffy]

Omg, I love this girl so much..🧠❤️

[@teina123]

Shes amazing.

[@NogaAsherGoshen]

you can really hear her passion un her songs, that's very special

[@zanti551]

4:18 ughhh this is my FAVOURITE part

[@llll4445]

This woman is everything to me

[@cristyang]

what a GREAT record this song is.

[@cristyang]

also, the video it's amazing...

[@anyadudley]

love raye!!

[@thaexception3406]

I’m ready to experience those ending words!

[@amritokhan1694]

Escapism is my anthem of the last decade yo. What a beast.

[@rockcandysweet]

i love her, i just do, she is so passionate about her music

[@mariobrandsma9830]

YOUR AMAZING LOVE ❤❤❤

[@samnewman4314]

RAYE is amazing