Escapism (Raye song)

"Escapism." redirects here. For the attempt to divert attention from an unpleasant reality, see Escapism. For other uses, see Escapism (disambiguation).
"Escapism"
Single by Raye featuring 070 Shake
from the album My 21st Century Blues
Released12 October 2022 (2022-10-12)
Genre
Length4:32
LabelHuman Re Sources
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Sabath
Raye singles chronology
"Black Mascara"
(2022) 		"Escapism" / "The Thrill Is Gone"
(2022) 		"Ice Cream Man"
(2023)
070 Shake singles chronology
"Danielle (Smile on My Face)"
(2022) 		"Escapism"
(2022)
Music video
"Escapism" on YouTube

"Escapism" is a song by British singer-songwriter Raye featuring American rapper 070 Shake. It was released independently on 12 October 2022, as the third single from her debut album, My 21st Century Blues (2023), as a double A-side with "The Thrill Is Gone".[4][5] It was co-written by Raye, 070 Shake, and Mike Sabath, with Sabath handling production. "Escapism" is an uptempo R&B, electropop, and hip-hop song with lyrics speaking of escaping from reality and dealing with heartbreak.

"Escapism" is considered Raye's breakout single as a solo artist. It gained attention on TikTok in 2022, became her first number-one single in the UK, and has been certified platinum by the BPI. It also topped the charts in Ireland and Denmark and entered the top ten of the charts in over twenty countries. It has been certified gold, platinum, or higher in over twelve regions. It became both Raye's and 070 Shake's first song to chart on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 22.

The song's accompanying music video, directed by Raye and Otis Dominique, depicts the singer turning to "partying, drinking, and drugs to escape her emotions and numb her feelings" after breaking up with her boyfriend. It won "Best Social Trended Song" at the Global Awards, "Best Contemporary Song" at the Ivor Novello Awards, and was nominated for "Best Independent Track" and "Best Independent Video" at the AIM Independent Music Awards. It also received a nomination for "Best British Pop Single" at the Popjustice £20 Music Award Show. In 2024, it won "Song of the Year" at the Brit Awards 2024.[6]

  1. ^ Nevares, Gabriel Bras (12 October 2022). "RAYE Drops Dual Release With 070 Shake, "Escapism/The Thrill Is Gone"". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  2. ^ Griffiths, George (4 January 2023). "Raye on Escapism.'s rise on the Official Singles Chart and the possibility of her first Number 1: "This is proof, let your artists decide what's best for them"". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 4 January 2023. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  3. ^ "Notion Now: Hope Tala, Stormzy & The 1975". Notion. 14 October 2022. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference NLD was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference OCC was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).