Corinne Bailey Rae

Corinne Jacqueline Bailey Rae is a British singer, songwriter, and guitarist whose warm, soulful voice and sophisticated musicality have made her one of the most respected artists in contemporary R&B and neo-soul. Born on February 26, 1979, in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, she is of mixed heritage, with a father from Saint Kitts and Nevis and an English mother. Bailey Rae developed a passion for music at a young age, learning guitar and singing in school bands before studying English Literature and Music at the University of Leeds.

Bailey Rae’s self-titled debut album was released in 2006 and became a massive commercial success, reaching number one in the UK Albums Chart. The lead single “Put Your Records On” became an international hit, reaching the top ten in multiple countries and earning her two Grammy Award nominations. The song’s breezy, optimistic feel and her distinctive warm vocal tone made it one of the defining songs of the mid-2000s. The album went on to sell over four million copies worldwide.

Her personal life was marked by tragedy when her first husband, jazz saxophonist Jason Rae, died in 2008 from an accidental overdose. The grief deeply influenced her second album, “The Sea” (2010), which received critical acclaim and won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album. The album was praised for its raw emotional depth and experimental production, exploring themes of loss, healing, and resilience. Bailey Rae later married Steve Brown in 2013.

After a lengthy hiatus, Bailey Rae returned with “Black Rainbows” (2023), an album inspired by Black art movements and conceptual themes. The album was widely praised by critics and earned her further Grammy nominations. Her career represents a unique blend of commercial appeal and artistic integrity, with her music drawing from soul, jazz, folk, and indie rock traditions. Her wealth comes from album sales, touring, songwriting royalties, and the enduring popularity of her classic recordings.