**Mark Ronson and RAYE Collaborate for Jazz-Inspired Track ‘Suzanne’**
In a highly anticipated partnership, acclaimed British producer Mark Ronson has teamed up with singer-songwriter RAYE to unveil “Suzanne,” a track brimming with jazz influences and personal significance for both artists. Their joint effort not only celebrates musical innovation but also honours the legacy of the song’s namesake, further underscoring the project’s depth.
The collaboration came about through their shared roles as ambassadors for Audemars Piguet, the renowned Swiss watchmaker. As part of the company’s ongoing APxMusic initiative, both Ronson and RAYE were inspired not merely by corporate partnership, but by deep creative admiration and respect. The effort brings together two unique musical voices, each with a reputation for pushing boundaries in their respective fields.
Mark Ronson, perhaps best known globally for the chart-topping “Uptown Funk,” spoke candidly about working alongside RAYE. “I’ve watched RAYE’s journey over the years – from her start as a promising songwriter to the formidable artist she’s now become,” Ronson said, highlighting that their collaboration felt like “the stars aligning”. Describing the creative process, he noted that far from a routine studio session, both threw themselves whole-heartedly into the project with intensive recording stints that spanned locations including London, New York, and Los Angeles.
For RAYE, the venture had echoes of her early artistic ambitions. She reminisced about working in Ronson’s studio in London as a fledgling artist, discovering and honing her songwriting craft. She expressed her continuing admiration for Ronson, calling him a “musical genius” and describing their partnership as a dream fulfilled. The song’s title, “Suzanne,” came almost instinctively to her after hearing Ronson’s initial musical arrangement, and finding out about the founder of Audemars Piguet—Suzanne Audemars—sealed the significance for her.
Speaking openly about her feelings, RAYE stated, “This entire collaboration, from the connection with Mark to the involvement with Audemars Piguet, truly feels predestined. Every time I listen to the track, there’s a sense of gratitude and pride that’s hard to put into words.”
Adding to the excitement, RAYE and Ronson have been working together on other projects as well. The duo recently contributed to the soundtrack of this month’s much-anticipated Formula 1 film, recording a song entitled “Grandma Calls the Boy Bad News.” RAYE admitted to PEOPLE magazine that the creative output from their sessions fills her with joy: “I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve made together. These tracks just make me happy when I hear them,” she said.
The last year has been a period of triumph and challenge for RAYE. Her 2023 album, “My 21st Century Blues,” clinched British Album of the Year at the 2024 BRIT Awards, but progress on her follow-up has been hampered by a significant setback. In a recent incident, her car was stolen with both her original songbooks and the only drafts of her new album’s notes inside. RAYE confessed she is still searching for the right direction—and title—for her next body of work, feeling the pressure to match the impact of her last critically acclaimed album.
“I’m honestly stressed about naming the next record,” she said with candour. “’My 21st Century Blues’ was such a strong title, and I want to uphold that standard. The music is beginning to take shape, but the name remains elusive.”
With “Suzanne” now released, both Mark Ronson and RAYE have further established themselves as two of the UK’s most versatile and inventive music creators. Their partnership continues to be closely watched by fans and critics alike—setting the stage for what could prove to be one of the year’s most celebrated collaborative projects.