Rachel Grae – The Best

By: Ashlee Dell’Arciprete

Q) How would you describe your sound to those who have not discovered your music yet?

A) The key words I would use to describe my sound are: genuine, authentic, soulful, deep and empowering. I try to be as honest and real as I can be in my music. It’s my diary that I share with the world… A mix of fun songs and songs to cry to. Whatever you’re feeling that day. [smiles]

Q) Congratulations on all of your success since your 2021 debut single. What was your inspiration behind your July single, “The Best?”

A) “The Best” is about finding yourself after leaving a relationship. It’s easy to lose yourself after giving so much of your time to another person, but getting your power back and rediscovering your own self-worth is one of the most rewarding feelings.

Q) Through writing your breakup anthem were you able to find yourself again after leaving the relationship?

A) 100%! Every time I write a new song like this, it gives me so much closure from whatever situation I’m writing about. It also allows me to gather my thoughts and live in every emotion while telling the story. That’s always been one of my favorite parts of making music. You gain a completely new perspective after writing a story in song form.

Q) What do you hope your fans can resonate with when listening to “The Best?”

A) I hope this song can allow people to see their worth and give them the courage to leave an unhealthy relationship. I used to leave relationships asking myself, “What’s wrong with me?” But once I finished writing this song, that perspective shifted so much. My goal is to give people their power back while listening to this song – for them to be able to use it as an outlet.

Q) What was your writing process like for your latest single? Did it take longer to write this emotional song compared to your past work?

A) The process of writing this song was so healing. I actually wrote this song in London! The change in scenery was definitely inspiring as well. I walked into this session with the lyric “I’d wish you the best, but you already had it…you had it but you let it go.” From there, the rest of the song just fell into place. It was a quicker process than normal because it came straight from the emotion that I was feeling in the moment. The song felt like it wrote itself while I was writing it.

Q) What do you find is the most challenging part of the music recording production process?

A) I think the most challenging part is getting what you hear in your head into the rest of the track. You have to chase the feeling until you get it. It took a lot of time, but we finally got to a place where the music told its own story just like the lyrics did. It’s all based around emotion.

Q) You’ve amassed a huge TikTok following! Have you found TikTok to have given you a new way to connect with your fans?

A) has given me SO many new ways to connect with my fans. The coolest part to me is watching everyone interact with each other and become friends. My friend base has become my safe space and I’m so grateful for that. Also, connecting to people ALL over the world is something social media has given such incredible access to. I feel grateful to have that kind of following and for the relationships that I have with all of them.

Q) Where is your favorite place to write music? How do you combat writer’s block?

A) I love being in writing sessions with people I feel creative and comfortable with. It’s incredible to bounce ideas off of each other and to have that safe space where you can talk freely around the people you are creating with. When I write alone, at my piano is where I love to write the most. Writer’s block can definitely sneak up here and there, but the two main things that have helped me are:

Freestyling – sitting at my piano and just singing how I feel. I normally voice memo this process and listen back afterwards.

Write a journal entry – sometimes I have to write everything about the topic out so that I can have a clear vision on how I feel about what I’m writing about. The first part of writing for me is being honest with myself about what I want to say.

Q) What is next for you after “The Best?” Will there be a full album or EP coming in the near future?

A) There is SO much happening. I don’t want to say too much, but definitely expect a LOT of new music and Easter eggs in the coming weeks and beyond. [smiles]

Q) Who would you love to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) The list continues to get bigger and bigger every day. I look up to so many artists… if I hear something I love or have a song I could hear someone else on, I’m open to collaborating with anyone that has a message I believe in!

Q) What would you like to say to fans and supporters of you and your music?

A) Thank you for allowing my voice to be your safe space. All I’ve ever wanted in life is to be able to impact as many people as possible before I leave this earth. I’m honored to be able to be a voice that gives you closure on situations while doing the same for myself. I LOVE YOU GUYS!