Side Tape

Released in May 2018, Side Tape serves as a pivotal collaborative project in RAYE's early career, moving away from her more experimental 'Second' EP toward a sound that integrated the burgeoning UK Afrobeats and dancehall scenes. The project is notable for its extensive feature list, including Mabel, Stefflon Don, and Mr Eazi, positioning RAYE as a central figure in the London music landscape. Sonically, the EP is characterized by polished pop-R&B production and heavy use of syncopated rhythms. The lead single 'Decline' (featuring Mr Eazi) famously interpolates Ja Rule and Ashanti's 'Always on Time,' signaling a nostalgic but modern approach to songwriting. While her later work would delve into more orchestral and personal themes, Side Tape remains a high-water mark for her ability to craft radio-ready, rhythmic pop that feels authentic to the UK's club and street culture.