Jordan Rakei (born 23 May 1992) is a New Zealand–Australian musician, singer, songwriter and record producer currently based in London, United Kingdom. Rakei has also released and performed under the moniker Dan Kye.
Early life Rakei was born in 1992 in Tokoroa, in the Waikato of New Zealand's North Island, to a Pākehā mother and a Cook Islands Māori father. At the age of three, Rakei and his family moved to Brisbane, Australia. He lived in Brisbane until he made the move to London in 2015.
Music career 2013–2016: Early career and debut album Rakei's first releases were Live at Recording Oasis and Franklin's Room EPs in 2013, self-released, aged 21 years old. Less than a year later in 2014, Rakei releases, Groove Curse EP, was the first release on the Soul Has No Tempo label. Less than a year after this EP, he made the move to London.
After working with artists such as FKJ and Tom Misch, in December 2015 he was part of a Grammy nomination for his work on Disclosure's track "Masterpiece", released on their 2015 album Caracal.
Rakei released his debut album Cloak through his own label, 4101 Records on 3 June 2016. Later that year, he unveiled his dancefloor alias Dan Kye, and released his first EP, titled Joy, Ease, Lightness, on Rhythm Section records.
2017–2020: Wallflower and subsequent releases On 6 June 2017, it was announced that Rakei had signed to Ninja Tune records and would be releasing his next album with them. With this announcement came the release of his new single "Sorceress". Later that month, he made his Glastonbury Festival live debut on the Pussy Parlure stage.
On 22 September 2017, Wallflower was released on Ninja Tune. Wallflower was later shortlisted for Best Australian Album in the 2017 Australian Music Prize.
A tour of North America in spring 2018 included a performance at SXSW Festival and a live session for Jason Bentley's radio show on KCRW.
In 2018, Rakei released the single "Wildfire", released on 10 May 2018, and also provided the vocals on the 2018 Nightmares on Wax track "Typical".
On 26 February 2019, Rakei released "Mind's Eye", the first single from his then unannounced third album. On 23 April 2019, Rakei announced this new album, titled Origin, and released a new single from it, "Say Something". The album was released on 14 June 2019. Rakei supported the record with a series on music festival dates in Summer 2019 and then began a subsequent world tour, beginning that August in Brisbane and ending in November 2019 in Brooklyn, New York. During the tour, he recorded a set for NPR Music's "Tiny Desk Concerts" series which was published online on 13 January 2020.
2021–present: What We Call Life and The Loop In September 2021, Rakei's fourth studio album What We Call Life was released, preceded by four singles. Rakei said the album is his "most vulnerable and intimate album to date"; something that he attributes to listening to singer-songwriters like Laura Marling, Scott Matthews, Joni Mitchell and John Martyn while writing the record.
In January 2024, Rakei announced that his fifth studio album, The Loop, would be released on 10 May of the same year.
Personal life Rakei is married to Amy Rakei, a Psychology Researcher at Goldsmiths University of London. They have a son and reside in London.
Discography Albums Title Details Peak chart positions UK Cloak Released: 3 June 2016 Label: 4101 / Soul Has No Tempo (SHNT002) Format: Digital download, CD, LP — Wallflower Released: 22 September 2017 Label: Ninja Tune (ZEN245) Format: Digital download, CD, 2×LP, streaming — Origin Released: 14 June 2019 Label: Ninja Tune (ZEN256) Format: Digital download, CD, LP, streaming — What We Call Life Released: 17 September 2021 Label: Ninja Tune (ZEN276) Format: Digital download, CD, LP, streaming 54 The Loop Released: 10 May 2024 Label: Decca Records Format: Digital download, CD, LP, streaming 36 A Safe Place to Be Wild Released: 19 February 2027 Label: Jordan Rakei, Universal Format: Digital download, CD, streaming tba
Compilation albums Title Details Late Night Tales: Jordan Rakei Released: 9 March 2021 Format: Digital download, CD, LP, streaming
Extended plays Title Details Live at Recording Oasis Released: 19 September 2013 Label: Jordan Rakei Format: Digital download Franklin's Room Released: 26 September 2013 Label: Jordan Rakei Format: Digital download Groove Curse Released: 15 August 2014 Label: 4101/ Soul Has No Tempo (SHNT001) Format: Digital download, 12" Vinyl Live at Metropolis Studios Released: 21 November 2021 Label: Ninja Tune Format: Digital download Bruises Released: 4 March 2022 Label: Ninja Tune Format: Digital download Between Us Released: 24 April 2026 Label: Jordan Rakei, Universal Music Format: Digital download
Awards and nominations AIR Awards The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.
| 2020 | Origin | Best Independent Soul/R&B Album or EP
APRA Awards The APRA Awards are held in Australia and New Zealand by the Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually.
! |- | 2023 | "Send My Love" | Most Performed R&B / Soul Work
Australian Music Prize The Australian Music Prize (the AMP) is an annual award of $30,000 given to an Australian band or solo artist in recognition of the merit of an album released during the year of award. They commenced in 2005.
! |- | 2017 | Wallflower | Australian Music Prize
J Awards The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.
! |- | 2016 | himself | Double J Artist of the Year
References
External links Official website