LISTEN LONDON
A rich cultural heritage and storied history have made London fertile ground for artistic expression.
Experimental, playful and deeply authentic, the British capital has birthed entire musical movements and inspired generations of artists across tastes and genres. Its flair for the extraordinary? Unrivalled. London is diversity personified, with an energy that has made it one of the ultimate destinations for any music lover.
An intimate listening event in the city, hosted by busker turned beloved crooner Victor Ray is just what September called for. With a playlist specially curated to be heard through LS50 Meta, he wooed the audience with soulful sounds and stories at our very own KEF Music Gallery London.
The Rise of Victor Ray
Make you or break you, this eclectic city is proof that when talent meets soul, success awaits. That's been exactly the case for Victor Ray. This gifted singer-songwriter has soared to new musical heights, taking his fans – and his uncanny affinity for rich and varied storytelling – along for the ride.
Beginning his journey as a busker just a few streets away from KEF Music Gallery London, the viral artist has a lyricism and an earthy warmth that’s garnered him millions of fans – and a rightful place as one of London’s new musical stars.
BEHIND THE SONGS
Victor took our audience through an exclusive playlist curated for LS50 Meta, bringing listeners in on how each track influenced his own sound and storyteling.
Listen along to the full tracklist with listening notes on Sound of Life.
Gregory Porter – "It’s Probably Me (Live at Polar Music Prize, Stockholm 2017)"
“Sting originally wrote and performed this song, but the way that Gregory performs this live transformed this song for me; his performance was so raw. He left space for the music and he was so intentional with every word he sang. It’s up there.”
Donny Hathaway – "A Song for You"
“One of the best songs ever written. It’s so simple in its production – a piano and a voice – and the lyrics are so direct and personal. This song taught me that your own authentic voice and story can touch the hearts of strangers.”
Labrinth – "Jealous"
“It took me about five years to learn that this song was written about Labrinth’s dad, and not an ex-girlfriend or partner; I think that’s a testament to how potent his storytelling is. This song taught me how music can be felt in a thousand different ways to what you intended.”
Kanye West, Pusha-T – "Runaway"
“So raw, authentic and self-deprecating, it’s insane. The way that Kanye perfectly matched the production and sonics of this song to accentuate the message blows my mind. This is an example of every aspect and component of a song being dialled up to eleven. The production, the writing, the melodies, the structure—it’s all incredible.”
Spotlight Sessions: Victor Ray
The morning of Listen London, we met Victor Ray at his apartment. After building a name for himself performing on the streets of Newcastle to now singing in front of tens of thousands of fans, what’s next for the incredibly likeable artist?
