RAYE reveals she was "quite nervous and scared" to work with Mark Ronson after Amy Winehouse comparisons

11 June 2025, 13:52 | Written by Tyler Damara Kelly

(News)

(RAYE) (Mark Ronson)

RAYE has discussed what it's like working with Mark Ronson, ahead of their forthcoming collaborations, "Suzanne" and "Grandma Calls the Boy Bad News".

Speaking to PEOPLE backstage at the Governors Ball Music Festival in New York City, RAYE revealed that she had hesitations about working with Mark Ronson, due to comparisons between herself and Amy Winehouse – Mark Ronson famously helped produced Winehouse’s final album, Back to Black.

"Honestly, I’m not gonna lie, I actually was quite nervous and scared to work with him," she revealed. "I just do want to say that I know I can never, ever, ever, ever, ever attempt to replace or imitate Amy. I’m in awe of her. We all are, and we miss her."

Mark Ronson via TikTok! pic.twitter.com/72VrxIOFfQ
— RAYE Updates (@RayeUpdate) June 10, 2025

"It’s quite a tough thing to even allow myself to create so freely with him, but I really just wanted to be like, ‘Do you know what? I just need to forget what anyone else is gonna say about this.’ I absolutely love this producer. I’ve always wanted to work with this producer since I was a little girl," she continued. "We've made music together that I'm so proud of, and I love. I play it, and it makes me happy and joyful, so I'm proud".

The duo's first standalone collaboration, "Suzanne", is set to drop this week. Their second collaboration, "Grandma Calls the Boy Bad News", will feature on the forthcoming F1 soundtrack, which also features songs by Doja Cat, Tate McRae, Ed Sheeran, Rosé, Peggy Gou, and Obongjayar.

"Suzanne" will be released on 13 June. F1® THE ALBUM is available to pre-order now and arrives on 27 June in conjunction with the theatrical release of the feature film.