Jordan Rakei announced as the inaugural ‘Artist In Residence’ at Abbey Road Studios

27 March 2024 - Press release

Today (27th March), Jordan Rakei has been announced as the first ever ‘Artist In Residence’ at London’s iconic Abbey Road Studios. The role is the first in a series of new ‘in residence’ appointments, designed to enhance Abbey Road’s position as a house of creativity and build a wider community. Jordan will have access to the entire building including the fabled Studios Two and Three and the treasure trove of legendary Abbey Road gear, microphones and instruments. In addition, Jordan will have a dedicated writing room at his disposal.

Jordan will continue to foster his career-long spirit of collaboration by participating in some of Abbey Road’s outreach programmes and content series. These include the Lock-In filmed studio collaborations and writing camps, alongside Abbey Road’s educational and mentoring festivals Equalise and Amplify, which are designed to inform and inspire the next generation of creative talent. Jordan will also be part of the consultation and testing process for Abbey Road’s innovation work across Audiomovers and their music tech incubator programme, Abbey Road Red.

Jordan Rakei says “I'm incredibly honoured to hold the Artist In Residence position at Abbey Road Studios, a journey that began with me making music in my bedroom at the age of 11. Throughout my career, I've always been drawn to the creative process and have always considered myself more of a studio hermit, so being granted this residency feels like the ultimate validation of my passion and dedication to music.

“I aim to make the most of this opportunity by providing a platform for artists who wouldn't otherwise have the chance to work in a studio like Abbey Road. Having experienced the early days of my career in a similar setting, I understand the value of being able to use a place like this as an instrument. I want to support others who may be starting their musical journey, fostering an environment where their creativity can flourish without constraint.

“Additionally, I envision the studio as a vibrant hub for collaboration with the bubbling global music scene - where artists from diverse backgrounds and genres can come together, with me, to create freely, without the pressure of expectations. This residency is not just about creating music; it's about building a community and celebrating the joy of artistic expression. I want to embrace making music for fun again!”

Sally Davies, Managing Director of Abbey Road says “This is a significant moment for Abbey Road Studios as we introduce our Artist in Residence programme, a new chapter that underscores our commitment to fostering creativity and innovation within the music industry. We are thrilled to welcome Jordan Rakei as our first ever artist in this role. Jordan’s exceptional talent and unique approach to music embodies the spirit of innovation that Abbey Road Studios has always championed. I’m excited to see how this role unfolds, enhancing the creative legacy of Abbey Road Studios and setting new benchmarks for musical innovation and collaboration for years to come.”

Mark Robertson, Head of Brand & Communications at Abbey Road says “As fans of Jordan’s music, we’ve been closely following his ascent over the last eight years, so it’s a real joy to be able to welcome him to our home with this new role. As we embark on a new chapter in the Abbey Road story, there couldn’t be a better artist to help open our doors, combining our shared values and ambitions alongside a commitment to supporting the next generation.”

New Zealand-born, Australia-raised, Jordan Rakei releases his fifth studio album, The Loop, on 10th May. The album is his first on Decca (and Verve Forecast in the US) and marks a new career chapter for the GRAMMY nominated Rakei that coincides with a number of profound changes in his personal life. Along with his typically bold production style, come spectacular orchestral arrangements and haunting choirs, hypnotic beats and an Odyssean-style narrative that charts a course through times of darkness and hope.

Self-produced and mixed by Ben Baptie, Rakei has stepped away from the DIY sound he was once known for (and still loves). He grew up listening to artists such as Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, Curtis Mayfield and D’Angelo and having returned to immersing himself with their music recently, he knew he didn’t want this new album to sound like it was made in a bedroom. Inspired by a Bill Withers documentary in which his hero ignored the contempt of his peers and dared to reach higher, Rakei set about assembling a crack team of musicians to fulfil his own crystal clear ambitions for this album.

After making waves in the soul, jazz and electronic scenes on his arrival in London from Australia in 2015, Jordan self-released his debut ‘Cloak’ a year later, before signing to influential indie label Ninja Tune ahead of his second album ‘Wallflower’ (2017). Jordan went on to release his third and fourth albums ‘Origin’ and ‘What We Call Life’ in 2019 and 2021 respectively. He has recorded live sessions for COLORS, NPR’s Tiny Desk and BBC 6 Music, sold out Brixton Academy, amassed over one billion streams across his catalogue, and, crucially, continued to showcase his versatility as an artist capable of blending subtle electronic elements with his signature, soulful sound.

Jordan heads out on a headline tour in the Autumn, culminating in two shows at the Royal Albert Hall in October and he recently performed at the BBC 6 Music festival in Manchester, alongside The Smile, Young Fathers and many more.