Orla Rae

About the artist

Immersed in music from a young age, 23-year-old singer and songwriter Orla Rae grew up in a home rich with musical influence. Early on, she was inspired by legends like Stevie Wonder , Jill Scott , D'Angelo , Ms. Lauryn Hill , Donny Hathaway , and Aretha Franklin , shaping her unique sound. Blending R&B, soul, pop, and jazz, her music delivers powerful vocal runs, intricate harmonies, and relatable storytelling. Drawing further inspiration from artists like Jazmine Sullivan , Cleo Sol , Victoria Monét , Brandy , Musiq Soulchild , and JoJo , she is crafting a sound that’s both fresh and timeless. Her debut EP Orla was met with critical acclaim, earning her the cover of Spotify’s R&B UK playlist. The project also gained strong support from major radio stations including 1xtra, Kiss, Rinse FM, and Reprezent, cementing her place as a standout new voice in the UK R&B scene. Already making waves on the live circuit, Orla has supported artists such as Sophie Faith, IYAMAH, Lynda Dawn and joined Grammy Award-winning jazz duo Blue Lab Beats on their European tour. With standout performances at the iconic Jazz Cafe with Global Soul and her home town festival The Great Escape, she’s quickly becoming one of the UK’s most exciting rising stars to watch in 2025.