Ray BLK has returned with both a new single and the announcement of her debut album ‘Access Denied‘.
The singer-songwriter announced her 14-track, debut studio album ‘Access Denied‘ this week. The LP will be released on September 17th via Island Records and can be expected to be the perfect summer album.
‘Access Denied‘, which has been greatly anticipated, has also been teased through the release of a new single which came out on July 6th. Titled ‘M.I.A.’ and featuring Kaash Paige, the new single titled, ‘M.I.A.’ is everything that could have been hoped for and more. It has also sparked high expectations for the full album. Prior to this latest single, Ray has also been busy this year, with the release of ‘Dark Skinned‘ and ‘Games‘ ft. Giggs.
Ray BLK (Rita Ekwere) helped describe the origins and idea behind ‘Access Denied‘, stating that it’s “my summer anthem as we’re released from lockdown. It’s just about escaping, or being with someone who feels like an escape, like you’re on holiday and just at peace, away from the noise. After being in lockdown for so long and being overwhelmed or feeling low, I’m ready to be out with the people I love the most in our element with this playing in the background as the soundtrack to our summer“.
“M.I.A.” will be featured on the upcoming studio album ‘Access Denied‘ along with ‘Dark Skinned‘ and ‘Games‘. The debut album therefore consists of a list of boast-worthy features – from Kaash Paige to Giggs, Stefflon Don, Kojey Radical and Suburban Plaza.
Ray BLK spoke to the Radio 1 Newsbeast about why it has taken a long period of time to produce her new album. She explained that “I am the same artist, but I’m a different person now“. The press release also allowed Ray to discuss the difficulties that are introduced with the exposure of fame and the multiple hardships artists face in the music industry. In comparison to these risks which easily take their toll on artists, Ray explained that she has had “a lot of fun” in the creation of ‘Access Denied‘:
“I’m not pretending to be somebody else. It wasn’t rushed. It’s been a blessing“.
Ray BLK also took to instagram in celebration of her new single, and commented that:
“I’ve been looking forward to this moment of releasing my debut album since I was 13 in the studio with MNEK learning how to write songs and knew for certain I wanted to be a singer”.
“Access Denied is for those who like myself, know disappointment too well and have learned to create boundaries as a coping mechanism for self protection. I’ve opened up about how the childhood I had made me guarded, how disappointing relationships made me fear love and how being told no so many times in the music industry kicked me down, but I got back up. I want people to listen to this record and value themselves enough to deny access to those who are undeserving, and to also value themselves enough to keep believing in themselves when they’re denied access to certain spaces and say yes to themselves when the world tells them no”.
Access Denied:
01 Blk Madonna
02 Lovesick
03 Smoke [ft. Kojey Radical]
04 25
05 Lauren’s Skit
06 Access Denied
07 Baggage
08 Games [ft. Giggs]
09 If I Die
10 MIA [ft. Kaash Paige]
11 Mine
12 Dark Skinned
13 Go-go Girl [ft. Suburban Plaza]
14 Over You [ft. Stefflon Don]
While awaiting the release of ‘Access Denied’ you can enjoy Ray BLK’s single ‘M.I.A.’ below.
