Raye has spoken about receiving what she describes as similar “evil” hate to the late Amy Winehouse, as comparisons between the two artists continue. The British singer addressed the issue in a recent interview with ELLE UK.
Winehouse, best known for Back To Black, died from alcohol poisoning in July 2011 at the age of 27. Raye said she understands why listeners draw parallels but believes Winehouse’s work stands alone.
Raye on Amy Winehouse’s influence
In the interview, Raye described Winehouse as one of her biggest inspirations. She said they shared many of the same influences, including Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan.
Addressing the comparisons directly, she said:
“I’m aware that what she did is irreplaceable and inimitable and that is what it is. Amy done it so well that no one can ever do what she did. And God rest her soul she gave her her whole life for us to enjoy the music that she left behind.”
“It’s That Same Evil”
Raye also reflected on the online criticism she has faced as her profile has grown, particularly from those who reject comparisons to Winehouse.
She said:
“What’s difficult for me is when people are so horrible, rude, nasty, and evil with their words, ‘You’ll never be her. You are an absolute failure. You disgust me trying to think that you could even be remotely like she was,'” she admitted. “And it’s like the funny thing to me about the way they’re speaking to me is, it’s that same evil.”
While acknowledging that her experience is not comparable in scale, she added:
“I’m not saying I’ve experienced even a hundredth of what that girl was put through, but it comes from a similar place.”
On media scrutiny and Amy Winehouse’s death
Raye also suggested that the level of scrutiny and hostility Winehouse endured during her twenties may have had lasting consequences.
She said the singer would “probably still be here today if she didn’t have to be subject to all this hate when she was alive”.
Winehouse’s death in 2011 followed years of intense tabloid attention and public commentary surrounding her personal life.
