No Graye Area - TS Graye On Her Terms
Courtesy of Emalea Jones
5th July 2024
By Ellie Carter
TS Graye is an undeniable force to be reckoned with. Sitting together after shooting her first cover for Hoezine, it’s clear that the London based singer artist is centred, focused and raring to go as she perches on the precipice of releasing her latest body of work, All For Love. Poised to be her most heartfelt and vulnerable EP yet, Graye explains that she ‘wanted this release to explore what it means to be a woman, and everything that encapsulates it’. All For Love sees Graye’s song writing through a new lens, deep diving into the relationships which are most important to her across six tracks of picturesque storytelling against captivating production.
Courtesy of Emalea Jones
Returning to music after three years of self-discovering and realigning her identity as an artist, TS Graye is back and with huge impact. Kicking off her release campaign with the poignant love letter Mother’s Genes, Graye explains that her mother’s unwavering support is the reason this project came to life. Graye describes the track as a ‘heartfelt thank you for inheriting positive qualities from my mum, acknowledging the impact of maternal influence. It’s more so saying thank God I have my mother’s genes in times like these’. Reflecting on their strong relationship, Graye recalls the sacrifices her mother made in shaping who she is as an artist today; ‘she’s so selfless, for four years she'd drive me for three hours to and from sessions… She is the only reason I got into music, she was my beginning. She saw something in me from such a young age.’ Now, their relationship is beautifully immortalised with Sarah, Graye’s mother, starring alongside her in the heartfelt music video which accompanies Mother’s Genes.
Courtesy of Emalea Jones
After garnering support from the likes of BBC Radio 1, Apple Music and Notion, this new chapter in Graye’s story comes with much anticipation from fans and tastemakers alike. All For Love explores the multifaceted emotions that come wrapped up in the form of love from friends, family and partners, and Graye uses these pillars to express how these relationships have shaped her as a woman, daughter, friend and artist today. ‘It was important for me to get all of these feelings off my chest’ she explains as we unpick the writing process of the EP; ‘but when I was writing [the EP], I didn’t realise I’d already been saying all these things. We had the song All For Love written two years ago, and we kept coming back to it…I looked at the second verse and thought, this is what this project should be. I had subconsciously been writing what I was feeling this whole time and coming to that realisation was therapeutic for me’.
Courtesy of Emalea Jones
Stepping into her new era of music, Graye candidly reflects on the strength women have brought her during this transformative time in her career, and how cultivating a team with strong female presence has been essential in bringing All For Love to life. ‘I’ve spoken up more’ Graye explains as we discuss the importance of female presence in her team this time round; ‘I’ve always had male authority over me and felt like I should back down if I’ve been in a room with men who are older and have opinions [about my music]. Now, I’ve found my voice to say “actually I don’t like that idea, I want to go with this”… sometimes it can go too far the other way, but I’d rather that than not speak up and not voice my opinion. Forcing myself to speak up has helped me own my project, as it’s something I love’. This sense of ownership and inspiring reclamation sits at the heart of everything Graye is about. ‘I’m in my Graye Era’ she laughs, ‘it feels authentic, I feel in control creatively, and that has been a choice’. This is TS Graye on her terms.
Courtesy of Emalea Jones
Stream TS Graye’s next single All For Love everywhere from 19th July with the EP releasing 30th August.
LEAD PRODUCERS BETHAN DADSON, JASS MENSAH
PRODUCER ESTHER AGUNLOYE
CREATIVE DIRECTOR JASS MENSAH
PHOTOGRAPHER EMALEA JONES
PHOTOGRAPHER ASST. REISHA RICHARDS
STYLIST BETHAN DADSON
STYLIST ASST. ROSIMINE BORA
HAIR & MAKEUP ARTIST KAROLINA LYNSKA
INTERVIEWER ELLIE CARTER
SONY TEAM LILY BATTEN, OLIVIA WARNFORD-DAVIS