"Ray BLK" is a British singer and songwriter who was born in Nigeria, and grew up in Catford in London. Ray BLK, whose real name is Rita Ekwere, was born in Nigeria and came to London when she was about four. She grew up in Catford. At the age of 13 she formed a music group with her school friend MNEK called "New Found Content". She studied for a degree in English literature at Brunel University, She worked in an advertising agency to sustain her music career in its early days.

Her stage surname BLK stands for Building Living Knowing, which she describes as her three main values. She was nominated for best newcomer at the 2016 MOBO Awards.

On 6 January 2017, Ray was announced as the winner of the BBC's Sound Of 2017.