Corinne Bailey Rae's Journey: Music, Loss & Growth

0:00On March 4th, Corinne Bailey Ray first caught the world's ear 20 years ago with her breakout hit Put Your Records On. The song launched her into stardom, earning praise for her timeless voice and songwriting smarts. She since released the handful of albums, including ones nominated for the Mercury Prize, and now marks the anniversary with a new children's book. In it, a girl named Bia discovers music's magic through her great aunt's hidden record collection, learning there's a tune for every feeling. Early promise took a devastating turn in 2008, when her husband, fellow musician Jason Ray, died from an accidental drug overdose. They'd been married seven years and shared a deep musical bond. The loss halted her second album's release for two more years and left her reeling for a long stretch. Growing up in Leeds, Bailey Ray often felt like an outsider mixed Ray's family, academic focus, and a love for music set her apart. William brought big names like Stevie Wonder in Prince, but critics called her boring

1:00for skipping the wild party scene expected a female star's back. Then, still, she stayed true to herself. She slowly rebuilt, finishing that second album with help from a producer, who became her new partner and husband in 2013. Recent work like her Mercury nominated Black Rainbow shows her enduring creativity alongside studies in post-colonial topics at university. Today, she embraces life's mix of beauty and pain, more aware of the moment after such loss. Her story highlights honest grieving, not quick fixes, inspiring fans while she keeps evolving through music and learning. Today, she embraces life's mix of beauty and pain, more aware of the moment after such loss. Her story highlights honest grieving, not quick fixes, inspiring fans while she keeps evolving through music and learning. Today, she embraces life's mix of beauty and pain, more aware of the moment after such loss.