Watch Ray BLK’s powerful video for ‘Courage’
"I wrote it with tears in my eyes," the singer explained of her latest song.
By Nick Reilly
Ray BLK has returned with new single ‘Courage’, which sees the singer tackling the reality of navigating a toxic relationship. You can check out the video exclusively below, as well as a selection of BTS snaps from the shoot.
The first solo track from the Londoner in over two years is a soul-flecked number which has been hailed as “the most vulnerable song of her career”.
It’s also the start of Ray’s true journey as an independent artist, after choosing to go it alone.
As for the video, it showcases a powerful on-stage theatre performance where Ray eloquently articulates her experiences of an abusive ex.
“When I wrote ‘Courage’ in 2022 I wrote it with tears in my eyes, knowing that although I was writing this very self aware song, I was still going to go back to a toxic partner,” she told Rolling Stone UK.
“I wrote it as a cathartic release after talking about what I was going through in real time with my producer and he gave me the space to let it out and now 2 years later I’m releasing it with the hope that what was cathartic for me will do the same for others who have been through the same thing, force them to face the difficult truths and give them the courage to leave and love themselves.”
She added: “Becoming an independent artist again has finally given me my creative integrity back that I lost and so I wanted to take the driving seat with the creative direction. As an avid theatre goer, I came up with this concept to create a theatrical performance video that allows me to show my other love – acting, and merge my 2 artforms together, and to create something that feels real and not just a glossy video.
“I wanted the relationship in the video to feel sinister without showing any tangible signs of abuse, because people on the outside often don’t recognise abuse unless it’s physical, but mental abuse is just as violent and destructive. Relta brought my vision to life and I think we’ve created something that’s impactful and also visually beautiful. It’s art with purpose.”
It’s the latest chapter for Ray, who became the first and only unsigned artist to win BBC’s Sound of Music award in 2017. Her debut EP, ‘Durt’ also featured collabs with SG Lewis and Wretch 32, while her breakthrough hit ‘My Hood’ included a team-up with Stormzy.