Raye has spoken candidly about receiving similar “evil” hate as the late Amy Winehouse.
The British singer is frequently compared to the Back to Black icon, who died from alcohol poisoning in July 2011 at the age of 27.
In a recent interview with ELLE UK, Raye shared that Winehouse was one of her biggest inspirations and they “lived and breathed” many of the same musical influences, listing Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan.
Addressing the comparisons, the 28-year-old 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.”
Raye went on to reflect on the criticism she has faced as her own profile has grown, something she feels closely echoes Winehouse’s experience during the later years of her career.
“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.”
Raye 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.”
The Escapism hitmaker also suggested that the relentless scrutiny and harsh criticism Winehouse faced in her twenties may have contributed to her tragic death, saying the Valerie singer would “probably still be here today if she didn’t have to be subject to all this hate when she was alive”.
