Jordan Rakei

Tracks played

1. Enemies played 33 times, last on 2026-09-20 by AFRODEUTSCHE
   • - Jordan Rakei apparently started out wanting to be a reggae musician. He even formed a reggae band in his native New Zealand before moving to Australia and shifting towards a more soulful sound. - He's a pretty serious gamer. He reportedly spent a lot of his early advance money on a high-end gaming PC.
   • - Jordan Rakei once recorded an entire EP in his bedroom, using a duvet as a vocal booth. He claims it gave the tracks a "warm, intimate" sound. - He collaborated with the London Symphony Orchestra for a special performance, which reputedly involved him conducting a section of the brass players using only hand gestures he'd learned from YouTube tutorials. - Before focusing on music, Jordan Rakei studied graphic design and, according to some accounts, briefly considered a career in creating album artwork for other artists.
   • - Jordan Rakei apparently recorded the vocals for this track in a single take, late at night, after being inspired by a documentary about deep-sea fishing. - Before finding success in music, Rakei briefly considered a career as a professional chess player, even competing in a few regional tournaments in Australia. - The distinctive synth sound on "Enemies" was reportedly achieved by running a vintage analogue synthesizer through a series of guitar pedals found at a flea market.
2. Lover, You Should've Come Over (Exclusive Cover Version) played 1 time, last on 2026-06-21 by The Morning After Mix
   • - Jordan Rakei recorded this cover of Jeff Buckley's "Lover, You Should've Come Over" for a special session at Maida Vale Studios, a BBC recording complex with a rich history. The building, originally a roller-skating rink, was converted by the BBC in 1934 and has hosted everyone from The Beatles to David Bowie. - Buckley himself, a notoriously private and intense artist, reputedly had a very simple rider when touring, often requesting just tea, honey, and a quiet space backstage. He was known for his aversion to typical rock star excess.
   • - This is, of course, a cover of the Jeff Buckley classic. Jordan Rakei actually performed this live on BBC Radio 1 in 2017, accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra. - Rakei has a degree in psychological science. He's spoken about how this background influences his music, particularly in his exploration of emotions and the human condition. - He's a prolific collaborator, having worked with artists like Tom Misch, Loyle Carner, and Disclosure. He also released music under the pseudonym Dan Kye, focusing on more electronic and instrumental tracks.
3. Wind Parade played 1 time, last on 2026-06-26 by The People's Party with Femi Koleoso
   • - Rakei is an old hand at the BBC, having recorded sessions for Radio 1, 1Xtra, and Radio 2. He even performed with the BBC Concert Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall. - He has a tattoo of a teapot on his arm. The story goes it is a nod to his love of tea and a reminder of his New Zealand roots, where tea drinking is a big part of the culture.
   • - Jordan Rakei originally trained as a classical pianist. He only started singing because he could not afford to pay vocalists for his early demos. - He once performed a gig in a tiny, makeshift venue in a friend's living room. The "stage" was apparently just a rug. - Rakei is a keen photographer, often sharing his landscape and portrait shots on social media.
4. Send My Love (6 Music Session, 22 Sep 2021) played 1 time, last on 2026-07-12 by Afrodeutsche
   • - Jordan Rakei once revealed that he has synaesthesia, meaning he sees colours when he hears music. He described it as "like a constantly moving visualiser in my mind". - Before his music career took off, Rakei worked as a graphic designer. He reportedly designed all of his early album artwork himself. - He's a big fan of board games. He's mentioned in interviews that he often plays them with his band and crew while on tour.
   • - Jordan Rakei apparently has a synaesthesia-like condition where he associates musical notes with specific colours. He has spoken about seeing a "wash of colour" when he hears music. - Before his music career took off, Rakei studied for a Bachelor of Design in visual communication. He still designs his own album artwork and merchandise, which is a neat bit of cross-pollination. - Rakei once revealed in an interview that he has a pre-show ritual of eating a banana and doing some vocal warm-ups, which is perhaps less rock and roll than some might expect.
5. Rolling Into One played 1 time, last on 2026-09-11 by 6 Music's Jukebox
   • - Jordan Rakei originally trained as a classical pianist, which is quite a departure from his current soulful, electronic sound. He's also dabbled in reggae and hip-hop production. - He once described his creative process as "throwing spaghetti at the wall and seeing what sticks", which sounds both messy and surprisingly effective for his intricate arrangements. - Despite his smooth, laid-back vibe, Jordan Rakei has admitted to being a bit of a perfectionist in the studio, sometimes spending days on a single drum beat.
   • - Jordan Rakei apparently recorded a significant portion of this album, "What We May Become", in his own home studio, which reputedly doubles as a guest bedroom. Imagine trying to get some sleep next to a fully-fledged recording setup. - Before his solo career took off, Jordan Rakei was a prolific session musician and producer, contributing to tracks for artists across various genres. He's a bit of a musical chameleon, it seems.
6. Paradise played 1 time, last on 2026-10-01 by New Music Fix
   • - "Paradise" began when Rakei wrote a bassline on an acoustic guitar while staying in a caravan in Wales, deliberately using odd, off-kilter grooves so the track would sway instead of sounding like a standard pop song. - Under the alias Dan Kye, Rakei makes electronic dance tracks designed to test out how club crowds move, functioning as a four-to-the-floor alter ego that lets him escape his usual jazz-soul piano bench. - When an A&R manager suggested he tone down the intricate musicianship on his 2024 album *The Loop* to chase streaming playlists, Rakei took the exact opposite route, hiring an orchestral arranger and a 13-piece choir to make it as grand and un-algorithm-friendly as possible.