Jordan Rakei (born 23 May 1992) is a New Zealand-Australian musician, singer, songwriter and record producer currently based in London, United Kingdom.[1] Rakei has also released and performed under the moniker Dan Kye.[2]

Jordan Rakei
Rakei performing at the Lowlands Festival in 2018
Rakei performing at the Lowlands Festival in 2018
Background information
Also known asDan Kye
Born (1992-05-23) May 23, 1992 (age 32)
Tokoroa, Waikato, New Zealand
OriginBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • keyboards
  • guitar
Years active2013–present
Labels
Websitejordanrakei.com

Early life

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Rakei was born in 1992 in Tokoroa, in the Waikato of New Zealand's North Island, to a Pākehā mother and a Cook Islands Māori father.[3][4][5] At the age of three, Rakei and his family moved to Brisbane, Australia. He lived in Brisbane until he made the move to London in 2015.[6][7]

Music career

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2013–2016: Early career and debut album

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Rakei's first releases were Live at Recording Oasis and Franklin's Room EPs in 2013, self-released, aged 21 years old.[8][9] Less than a year later in 2014, Rakei releases, Groove Curse EP,[10] was the first release on the Soul Has No Tempo label.[11] Less than a year after this EP, he made the move to London.

After working with artists such as FKJ and Tom Misch, in December 2015 he was part of a Grammy nomination[12] for his work on Disclosure's track "Masterpiece", released on their 2015 album Caracal.[13][14]

Rakei released his debut album Cloak through his own label, 4101 Records on 3 June 2016.[15] Later that year, he unveiled his dancefloor alias Dan Kye,[16] and released his first EP, titled Joy, Ease, Lightness,[17] on Rhythm Section records.[18]

2017–2020: Wallflower and subsequent releases

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On 6 June 2017, it was announced that Rakei had signed to Ninja Tune records and would be releasing his next album with them.[19] With this announcement came the release of his new single "Sorceress".[20] Later that month, he made his Glastonbury Festival live debut on the Pussy Parlure stage.[21]

On 22 September 2017, Wallflower was released on Ninja Tune. Wallflower was later shortlisted for Best Australian Album in the 2017 Australian Music Prize.[22]

A tour of North America in spring 2018 included a performance at SXSW Festival and a live session for Jason Bentley's radio show on KCRW.[23][24][25]

In 2018, Rakei released the single "Wildfire", released on 10 May 2018,[26] and also provided the vocals on the 2018 Nightmares on Wax track "Typical".

On 26 February 2019, Rakei released "Mind's Eye", the first single from his then unannounced third album.[27] On 23 April 2019, Rakei announced this new album, titled Origin, and released a new single from it, "Say Something".[28] The album was released on 14 June 2019.[29] Rakei supported the record with a series on music festival dates in Summer 2019 and then began a subsequent world tour, beginning that August in Brisbane and ending in November 2019 in Brooklyn, New York.[30] During the tour, he recorded a set for NPR Music's "Tiny Desk Concerts" series which was published online on 13 January 2020.[31]

2021–present: What We Call Life and The Loop

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In September 2021, Rakei's fourth studio album What We Call Life was released, preceded by four singles. Rakei said the album is his "most vulnerable and intimate album to date"; something that he attributes to listening to singer-songwriters like Laura Marling, Scott Matthews, Joni Mitchell and John Martyn while writing the record.[32]

In January 2024, Rakei announced that his fifth studio album, The Loop, would be released on 10 May of the same year.[33]

Discography

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Albums

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Title Details Peak chart positions
UK
[34]
Cloak
Wallflower
  • Released: 22 September 2017[36]
  • Label: Ninja Tune (ZEN245)
  • Format: Digital download, CD, 2×LP, streaming
Origin
  • Released: 14 June 2019[37][38]
  • Label: Ninja Tune (ZEN256)
  • Format: Digital download, CD, LP, streaming
What We Call Life
  • Released: 17 September 2021[39]
  • Label: Ninja Tune (ZEN276)
  • Format: Digital download, CD, LP, streaming
54
The Loop
  • Released: 10 May 2024[33]
  • Label: Decca Records
  • Format: Digital download, CD, LP, streaming
36

Compilation albums

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Title Details
Late Night Tales: Jordan Rakei
  • Released: 9 March 2021[40]
  • Format: Digital download, CD, LP, streaming

Extended plays

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Title Details
Live at Recording Oasis
Franklin's Room
  • Released: 26 September 2013[42]
  • Label: Jordan Rakei
  • Format: Digital download
Groove Curse
  • Released: 15 August 2014[43]
  • Label: 4101/ Soul Has No Tempo (SHNT001)
  • Format: Digital download, 12" Vinyl
Live at Metropolis Studios
  • Released: 21 November 2021
  • Label: Ninja Tune
  • Format: Digital download
Bruises
  • Released: 4 March 2022
  • Label: Ninja Tune
  • Format: Digital download

Singles

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Title Year Album
"The Light"[44] 2015 Cloak
"Talk to Me"[45] 2016
"Blame it On the Youth"[46]
"Midnight Mischief"[47]
"Rooftop"[48] 2017
"Rocksteady" (with United Vibrations & Bad Milk)[49] non-album single
"Sorceress"[50] Wallflower
"Goodbyes"[51]
"Wallflower" (featuring Kaya Thomas-Dyke)[52]
"Eye to Eye"[53] 2018
"Wildfire"[54] Origin
"Faded" (with Richard Spaven)[55] non-album singles
"Ottolenghi" (with Loyle Carner)[56]
"Reality" (with Noah Slee)[57]
"Mind's Eye"[58] 2019 Origin
"Say Something"[59]
"Wind Parade"[60] 2020 Bluenote Re:imagined
"Lover, You Should've Come Over"[61] 2021 Late Night Tales: Jordan Rakei
"Family"[62] What We Call Life
"Send My Love"[63]
"Clouds"[64]
"Unguarded"[32]
"Shadows"(with Bonobo)[65] Fragments
"Bruises"[66] 2022 Bruises
"Flowers"[67] 2023 The Loop
"Freedom"[68] 2024
"Learning"
"Friend or Foe"

Awards and nominations

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AIR Awards

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The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2020[69][70] Origin Best Independent Soul/R&B Album or EP Nominated

APRA Awards

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The APRA Awards are held in Australia and New Zealand by the Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2023 "Send My Love" Most Performed R&B / Soul Work Nominated [71]

Australian Music Prize

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The Australian Music Prize (the AMP) is an annual award of $30,000 given to an Australian band or solo artist in recognition of the merit of an album released during the year of award. The commenced in 2005.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2017 Wallflower Australian Music Prize Nominated [72][73]

J Awards

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The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2016 himself Double J Artist of the Year Nominated [74]

References

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  1. ^ "JORDAN RAKEI – 5 MINUTES WITH – noctismag". 7 November 2017.
  2. ^ "Get to know Jordan Rakei, the Australian-raised soul singer and beatmaker".
  3. ^ Topol, Kateryna. "Jordan Rakei reflecting on the making of his upcoming album What We Call Life". Quipmag. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  4. ^ "Jordan Rakei beat his struggle with anxiety by making music". RNZ. 13 October 2017. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  5. ^ "Jordan Rakei, the introverted multi-instrumentalist: 'My only hurdle is shyness'". The Spinoff. 5 October 2017. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  6. ^ "Interview // Ninja Tune's Jordan Rakei on getting signed, working with Disclosure and changing his sound – Nitelife Magazine". 6 October 2017.
  7. ^ "Sorcerer: The Perpetual Transition Of Jordan Rakei".
  8. ^ "Jordan Rakei – Franklin's Room [EP] – EARMILK". 30 September 2013.
  9. ^ "Franklin's Room, by Jordan Rakei". iTunes Store.
  10. ^ "Groove Curse, by Jordan Rakei". Amazon UK.
  11. ^ "Soul Has No Tempo". discogs.
  12. ^ "Grammy Nominations 2016: See the Full List of Nominees". Billboard.
  13. ^ "Brothers Gonna Work It Out: Disclosure Break Down Every Song on Their New LP – Pitchfork". Pitchfork.
  14. ^ "Billboard Radio China – BRITISH ELECTRONIC MUSIC DUO AND GRAMMY NOMINEE Disclosure". billboardradiochina.com.
  15. ^ "Jordan Rakei Announces Debut Album, Listen To First Single "Talk To Me" • Howl & Echoes". 10 May 2016.
  16. ^ "Dan Kye's Upcoming Release Is Quite Literally A Future Classic". 5 December 2016.
  17. ^ "Joy, Ease, Lightness, by Dan Kye". Juno Records.
  18. ^ "Dan Kye – Joy, Ease, Lightness". discogs.
  19. ^ "Jordan Rakei Signs to Ninja Tune".
  20. ^ "Jordan Rakei's 'Sorceress' Released via Ninja Tune - The Playground". www.theplayground.co.uk. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
  21. ^ "Glastonbury 2017: Best New Bands to See".
  22. ^ "These Nine Albums Are Shortlisted for the 2017 Australian Music Prize". 24 January 2018.
  23. ^ "Jordan Rakei". 6 March 2018.
  24. ^ "SXSWfm 2018 Showcasing Artist Interview: Jordan Rakei". 20 April 2018.
  25. ^ "Jordan Rakei". AXS.
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  28. ^ "Jordan Rakei on Instagram: "IT'S TIME! My new album 'ORIGIN' drops June 14th. The second single from the album 'SAY SOMETHING' is available for your digestion NOW! We…"". Instagram. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
  29. ^ "Jordan Rakei Announces New LP 'Origin' & Drops Third Single "Say Something"". HYPEBEAST. 23 April 2019. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
  30. ^ "Jordan Rakei Gigography, Tour History & Past Concerts – Songkick". www.songkick.com. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  31. ^ "Jordan Rakei appearance on NPR Music's "Tiny Desk Concerts" series". NPR.
  32. ^ a b "Jordan Rakei - Unguarded (Single)". www.wordplaymagazine.com. 3 September 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  33. ^ a b "Jordan Rakei Details New Album 'The Loop'". Clash Music. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  34. ^ "Jordan Rakei | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  35. ^ "Cloak (DD)". Apple Music. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  36. ^ "Wallflower (DD)". Apple Music. 22 September 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
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  38. ^ "Origin". Apple Music. 14 June 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  39. ^ "Jordan Rakei Announces What We Call Life His New Album – Out Sept 17". www.redlightmanagement.com. 1 July 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
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  62. ^ "Jordan Rakei returns with his truly stirring new single 'Family'". variancemagazine.com. 23 June 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  63. ^ "Jordan Rakei Lets Us Know He's Alright With "Send My Love"". www.soulbounce.com. 6 August 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  64. ^ "JJordan Rakei previews new album with third single "Clouds"". www.thelineofbestfit.com. 19 August 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  65. ^ "Bonobo has released "Shadows", a new collaboration with Jordan Rakei that will appear on his forthcoming album Fragments". The Line of Best Fit. 1 December 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  66. ^ "Jordan Rakei has returned with new single "Bruises", the title-track from his upcoming EP". The Line of Best Fit. 10 February 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  67. ^ "Jordan Rakei Unveils Beautiful New Single 'Flowers'". Clash Music. 27 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  68. ^ "Jordan Rakei Announces New Album 'The Loop', Shares 'Freedom'". uDiscover Music. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  69. ^ "2020 AIR Awards Nominees". scenestr. 7 July 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  70. ^ "That's a wrap: 2020 AIR Awards winners and celebrations". the industry observer. 1 October 2020. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  71. ^ "Nominees revealed for the 2023 APRA Music Awards". APRA Awards. 30 March 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  72. ^ "/".
  73. ^ "2017 Shortlist - the Amp (Australian Music Prize)". Archived from the original on 11 March 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  74. ^ "The J Award 2016". Triple J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
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