Skip to main content

Love of literature inspires award-winning singer

Love of literature inspires award-winning singer

Published: 14 Mar 2023

RAY BLK Rita Ekwere

Although she has been making music for herself since the age of 10, Ray BLK’s only music training came in the form of opera-singing lessons during a short scholarship programme at Brunel.

RAY BLK, Undergraduate, Alumni

Singer, songwriter, rapper, Ray BLK Music

English BA - 2015

From Nigeria

Brunel alumna, Ray BLK (English BA), beat a host of top UK music talent and followed in the footsteps of Adele, Ellie Goulding and Sam Smith to be crowned the winner of the BBC Music Sound of 2017.

The singer and rapper from London, who has collaborated with grime star Stormzy, creates edgy R&B music in the same vein as American icons such as Lauryn Hill, Mary J Blige and Missy Elliott. Ray BLK’s EP, ‘Havisham’ is inspired by Miss Havisham, the jilted Charles Dickens character in Great Expectations that she learned about during her English Literature degree at Brunel.

Although she has been making music for herself since the age of 10, Ray BLK’s only music training came in the form of opera-singing lessons during a short scholarship programme at Brunel.

#IamBrunel