Corinne Bailey Rae Reflects on Career, Loss and Life Beyond Fame

Corinne Bailey Rae first gained international fame in 2006 with her feelgood hit ‘Put Your Records On’ and her self-titled debut album. Her early career suggested longevity, with her songwriting talent and distinctive voice earning comparisons to Billie Holiday and Minnie Riperton. However, tragedy struck in 2008 when her husband, saxophonist Jason Rae, died from an accidental overdose, deeply affecting her personally and professionally. Bailey Rae took time to process her grief before releasing her second album, ‘The Sea’, and subsequent works like ‘The Heart Speaks in Whispers’ and 2024’s ‘Black Rainbow’, which continued to receive critical recognition including Mercury Prize nominations. She recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of her debut single with a children’s book, ‘Put Your Records On’, exploring music’s emotional power. Bailey Rae also reflects on the challenges of fame as a woman in the 2000s music scene, resisting the sexualised image expected by the media. Today, she lives in Leeds with her husband Steve Brown and their two daughters, continuing to create music, lecture internationally, and engage in artistic projects that address black history and cultural memory. Despite commercial shifts, she has found fulfilment in family, creativity, and advocacy, remaining candid about grief and resilience.