How RAYE and Audemars Piguet Are Rewriting the Rules of Legacy – One Song at a Time
There's something powerful about a woman in full control of her voice. Not just the sound of it, but its purpose. And RAYE, in every sense, is that woman.
This summer, the British singer-songwriter – fresh off a record-breaking sweep at the BRIT Awards – joins forces with Grammy-winning producer Mark Ronson to release Suzanne, a track created in celebration of Audemars Piguet 's 150th anniversary. But instead of commemorating the occasion with a product or campaign, the Swiss watchmaker chose to honour the moment with music. And at the heart of that decision? A woman's voice.
More than just a collaboration, Suzanne is a love letter to heritage and intuition, rooted in serendipity. The name was first floated during early writing sessions between RAYE and Ronson – without knowing that Suzanne Audemars, a key figure in the brand's founding story, had once existed. The coincidence soon became the song's soul. And what began as a melody evolved into a tribute.
'I love this song and I'm so proud of it,' RAYE shared. 'It feels like everything was meant to be.'
In many ways, her journey mirrors that of the Maison she now represents: independent, uncompromising, and shaped by generations of craft. Her artistry is grounded in classical training, but fearless in genre, and is all about telling the truth. On her own terms and in her own voice.
Audemars Piguet's choice to centre a woman like RAYE isn't incidental but intentional. Through its APxMusic initiative, the brand continues to explore the creative intersections between sound and watchmaking, supporting artists not for their fame, but for their authenticity. The accompanying short film Syncing Sounds 150, directed by Theodor Guelat, offers an intimate look into the duo's studio process, revealing how two seemingly different creative minds can come together and build something lasting.
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The track was unveiled during an immersive evening at 180 Studios in London, where the brand's Le Brassus home was reimagined for the night. RAYE performed live to an intimate crowd, followed by a DJ set from Ronson that kept the night spinning.
Their latest offering is a reminder that legacy doesn't have to follow a formula. Sometimes, it can start with a feeling, a name, and a woman brave enough to sing it.
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