Ray Blk has created a strong password for her upcoming debut album, Access Denied, which arrives on September 17 via Island Records. It marks her first release since 2018’s Empress.
The 14-track set is expected to relive memories where she had to reassure herself that she was worthy in certain areas of her life, including relationships and her music career.
“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,” Blk explained in a statement. “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.”
She continued, “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.”
Today, the rising British-Nigerian artist has issued the new single “MIA” featuring Kaash Paige. DeBarge’s highly-sampled classic “Stay With Me” is repurposed for this vibey track that finds Blk and Paige going off the grid to spend time with a love accomplice.
The album’s additional guests include Giggs, Stefflon Don, Kojey Radical, and Suburban Plaza. It also consists of the early tracks “Dark Skinned” and “Lovesick.”
Listen to “MIA” by Ray Blk featuring Kaash Paige below.
