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A RAYE OF HOPE 💫 After years languishing in label limbo, @raye is riding her independence toward global superstardom.

She opens up about taking control as an independent artist, her latest album ‘THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE,’ making art she’s proud of and more in her cover story for Billboard’s Indie issue. Read it at the link in bio.

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Photographer: @jingyulin_
Styling: @enied
Hair: @alexpriceglam
Makeup: @_ern.3st
Location:@auditoriumtheatre
Writer: @hannah_dailey

When @raye signed her first record deal in 2014, she thought she'd made it. But her dream of making her own album would be long-delayed, and her own voice deprioritized.⁠
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"[It was] seven years of a very tumultuous and complicated relationship with life and my purpose and what I was creating,” she says of the time before going independent and creating her critically acclaimed debut, 'My 21st Century Blues.' “The person I am now is so different. I really like who I am now.”⁠
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She reflects more on her journey, her latest album 'THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE' and more for the cover of Billboard's Indie issue. Read it at the link in bio.⁠
⁠
📸: @jingyulin_

When @raye signed her first record deal in 2014, she thought she'd made it. But her dream of making her own album would be long-delayed, and her own voice deprioritized.⁠
⁠
"[It was] seven years of a very tumultuous and complicated relationship with life and my purpose and what I was creating,” she says of the time before going independent and creating her critically acclaimed debut, 'My 21st Century Blues.' “The person I am now is so different. I really like who I am now.”⁠
⁠
She reflects more on her journey, her latest album 'THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE' and more for the cover of Billboard's Indie issue. Read it at the link in bio.⁠
⁠
📸: @jingyulin_

When @raye signed her first record deal in 2014, she thought she'd made it. But her dream of making her own album would be long-delayed, and her own voice deprioritized.⁠
⁠
"[It was] seven years of a very tumultuous and complicated relationship with life and my purpose and what I was creating,” she says of the time before going independent and creating her critically acclaimed debut, 'My 21st Century Blues.' “The person I am now is so different. I really like who I am now.”⁠
⁠
She reflects more on her journey, her latest album 'THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE' and more for the cover of Billboard's Indie issue. Read it at the link in bio.⁠
⁠
📸: @jingyulin_

When @raye signed her first record deal in 2014, she thought she'd made it. But her dream of making her own album would be long-delayed, and her own voice deprioritized.⁠
⁠
"[It was] seven years of a very tumultuous and complicated relationship with life and my purpose and what I was creating,” she says of the time before going independent and creating her critically acclaimed debut, 'My 21st Century Blues.' “The person I am now is so different. I really like who I am now.”⁠
⁠
She reflects more on her journey, her latest album 'THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE' and more for the cover of Billboard's Indie issue. Read it at the link in bio.⁠
⁠
📸: @jingyulin_

When @raye signed her first record deal in 2014, she thought she'd made it. But her dream of making her own album would be long-delayed, and her own voice deprioritized.⁠
⁠
"[It was] seven years of a very tumultuous and complicated relationship with life and my purpose and what I was creating,” she says of the time before going independent and creating her critically acclaimed debut, 'My 21st Century Blues.' “The person I am now is so different. I really like who I am now.”⁠
⁠
She reflects more on her journey, her latest album 'THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE' and more for the cover of Billboard's Indie issue. Read it at the link in bio.⁠
⁠
📸: @jingyulin_

@raye reacts to the Amy Winehouse comparisons and shares how she deals with critics and negativity surrounding her art.

Watch her interview for the cover of Billboard’s Indie issue at the link in bio.

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Producer: Jerah Milligan
Editor: @jsuhadol

This week’s top 10 on the Hot 100 (chart dated May 23, 2026). 📈

Link in bio for details.

Paul McCartney practically took over the 'Saturday Night Live' season finale.⁠
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The Beatles legend returned as musical guest for the fifth time on Saturday’s (May 16) 'Saturday Night Live' finale hosted by Will Ferrell and instead of the usual two-song set, McCartney performed three songs across the night.⁠
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Watch McCartney perform “Days We Left Behind,” Band on the Run” and “Coming Up” at the link in bio.⁠

This week’s top 10 on the Billboard 200 (chart dated May 23, 2026). 📈

Link in bio for details.

Drake’s presence in music has always been disruptive because, while hip-hop is his foundation, he’s never allowed himself to be boxed in by it.⁠
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'MAID OF HONOUR' may be the most musically unrestricted Drake has ever sounded. The album jumps between styles, moods and genres without trying to fit neatly into one lane, much like Drake himself.⁠
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With appearances from Sexyy Red, Central Cee, Popcaan, Stunna Sandy and Iconic Savvy, the project becomes a chaotic but intentional ride through Drake’s different musical worlds.⁠
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Click the link in bio to see how Billboard felt about the songs and where they measure up against one another.⁠

Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” dominating the 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards wasn’t exactly shocking.⁠
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But it wouldn’t be an awards show without a few surprises and snubs along the way.⁠
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Megan Moroney entered the night as this year’s top nominee with nine nods, yet walked away without a single win.⁠
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Now, Billboard breaks down the biggest snubs and surprises from the 2026 ACM Awards at the link in bio.

Drake has always balanced two sides of his artistry: giving fans bars and making melodic R&B records for women. ⚖️⁠
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The 6 God has never shied away from leaning into emotion, but with 'Habibti,' Drake delivers something new, his first-ever solo R&B album.⁠
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The project finds Drake diving deeper into grown-and-sexy sounds and vulnerability than ever before, with appearances from Sexyy Red, Loe Shimmy, Qendresa and PARTYNEXTDOOR.⁠
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Billboard's ranking of Drake’s first-ever solo R&B album are at the link in bio.⁠

Spain‘s National Court has acquitted Shakira in a tax fraud case after eight years, ordering the government to return 60 million euros ($69 million) to the Colombian superstar. According to a judicial document obtained Monday (May 18) by #BillboardEspañol, the court concluded that Shakira did not meet the minimum residency requirement to be taxed in Spain during 2011.⁠
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“After more than eight years enduring brutal public accusations and sleepless nights that took a toll on my health and my family’s well-being, the National Court has finally set the record straight,” Shakira said in a statement. Read the full article at the link in bio. ⁠
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Reggaetón icon Don Omar will kick off his The Last King World Tour on Sept. 25, Billboard can officially announce. 🔥🎤 ⁠
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The tour, produced by Don Omar (real name William Omar Landrón) and promoted in the U.S. by Cardenas Marketing Network (CMN), comes two decades after the release of Don Omar’s seminal sophomore album, King of Kings. Check out the full list of dates at the link in bio.⁠
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Ella Langley joined an elite group of artists at the 2026 #ACMAwards, becoming just the fifth performer to win back-to-back awards for single of the year.⁠
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She won last year for “You Look Like You Love Me,” her sexy collab with Riley Green, and won again this year with her crossover smash “Choosin’ Texas.”⁠
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See the full list of artists who have achieved the feat at the link in bio.