RHEA RAJ IS ONE TO WATCH
Rhae Raj is one to watch! from auditioning in front of Jennifer Lopez on American Idol to writing her own music – Rhae is breaking barriers and creating her own lane. We chat with Rhae about her latest single “Out of Body”, who inspires her and what’s next. Read our full interview below.
Featured Interview:
Tell us about your musical inspirations.
I grew up a superfan of pure pop and I create my music to make my fans feel the way my idols made me feel: confident, hot, and fearless. In addition to ballet, hip hop, and jazz, I began learning Classical Indian dance at the age of 2, which is why I’m attracted to large, rhythmic drums, and entrancing melodies, and my art truly comes to life on stage. My dual identity and diverse musical influences make me feel limitless with my art and inspire me to dream big.
Who are your shereos of music?
Britney Spears, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Gwen Stefani, Rihanna and Beyonce just to name a few.
What lyric from your new song “OUT OF BODY” hits home the hardest?
I just released my single “OUT OF BODY” and my favorite lyric is def “BITCH I’M BORN AGAIN.”
How is your creativity disrupting the culture?
As an Asian-American girl who grew up in the South, I used to feel so much shame about my culture and identity. Through music, I express myself freely and hope people resonate and feel empowered too. I want to shatter barriers in pop music and be the representation I wish I had when I was younger. I recently celebrated the 1 year anniversary of my song “Outside” and my favorite scene in the music video showed a gang of brown girls on ATVs in the desert looking fierce and sexy. It got 2 million views on TikTok overnight and I got so many messages from people all over the world who felt seen. Music has the power to reshape culture and I want to be at the forefront of pop becoming a global melting pot.
What advice would u give your 14-year-old self?
I would tell 14-year-old Rhea to trust her intuition and be fearless in her pursuit of pop stardom. It was frustrating when I was a teen and people in the music industry wanted to box me in. But even as I’ve evolved creatively over the years, my grand vision hasn’t changed and I think my younger self would be proud to see that.
What have you discovered more about your sound as you mature as an artist?
I’ve been building a world for my music to live in, prioritizing the creation of great art without concerning myself with conforming to a specific sound. I can make a dance club anthem like “Devil In A Dress”, a bubblegum pop song like “Oops! Ur Single Now” or a big ballad like “MVP” and the throughline is ME. I want to collaborate with superstars globally and have songs that connect with different audiences. As long as the art is intentional and feels grand, my creativity is boundless.
What is next for you?
My music video for “OUT OF BODY” will be released in the next couple of weeks and I’m so ready for this piece to come out. It’s set in a grungy boxing ring where sporty meets glam, blending Y2K nostalgia with futuristic visuals and VFX. I’m also finishing my debut project which will be out in 2024 🙂
