Today (Oct. 1), trailblazing British-Nigerian R&B singer Ray Blk unveils her awaited debut studio album Access Denied via Island Records. Featured guests on the 14-song set range from Giggs to Stefflon Don, Kojey Radical, Suburban Plaza, and Kaash Paige. The new album means a lot to Blk, and she made sure to take some time to share some words of appreciation and also explain what the intended message of the project is:
“Access Denied is for those who like myself, know disappointment too well and have learned to create boundaries as a coping mechanism for self-protection. I’ve opened up about how the childhood I had made me guarded, how disappointing relationships made me fear love and how being told no so many times in the music industry kicked me down, but I got back up.
I want people to listen to this record and value themselves enough to deny access to those who are undeserving, and to also value themselves enough to keep believing in themselves when they’re denied access to certain spaces and say yes to themselves when the world tells them no.”
Earlier this month, Ray Blk evisited the Stefflon Don-assisted “Over You” by having Beenie Man — who she revealed she only met mere weeks prior — jump on the infectious collaboration for a top tier remix. Prior to that, we’ve gotten a good amount of previews from the project, including cuts like “Games” featuring Giggs and the Kaash Paige-assisted “MIA.”
Access Denied follows 2018’s Empress, an acclaimed seven-song offering that also acted as Ray Blk’s first official release under her partnership with Island Records. Prior to that, she made huge waves with 2016’s Durt, which featured standout tracks alongside peers Stormzy, Wretch 32, and SG Lewis.
Be sure to press play on Ray Blk’s brand new project Access Denied.