Victor Ray
The rising UK star kicks off a trilogy of releases with “Contagious,” a raw, urgent track produced by Bekon.
Victor Ray is ready to make the leap from rising star to household name. The Newcastle-raised, London-based singer-songwriter has released his new single, “Contagious,” a track that signals the start of a daring new chapter and the first in a trilogy of upcoming releases. Produced by Bekon (best known for work with SZA, Kendrick Lamar, and Hozier), the song arrives as Ray is named one of Spotify’s Radar artists for 2026 — a nod to his rapid ascent.
On “Contagious,” Ray leans into the rush of dangerous love, pairing urgency with vulnerability. His lyrics confess a consuming desire — “I’m down on my knees, I’m begging / Darling I need your heaven” — while his voice, equal parts raw and refined, delivers the kind of performance that makes you believe every word. “The lyrics are honest but conversational, and the production is organic and raw but also classic,” Ray says. “Vocally I proper pushed myself as well, like the way I used to when I was singing for change. It’s a tune.”
The single caps a whirlwind year for the 24-year-old. In 2025, Ray sold out venues across the US and Australia, walked red carpets at Paris Fashion Week, and performed to an audience of 3.6 million at the VE Day celebrations. All this came on the heels of his acclaimed I WILL. EP, which cemented him as one of the UK’s most compelling new voices. His rise has been fast, but hardly accidental — Ray often frames his journey as the story of his “10,000 hours,” earned through busking on Newcastle streets and honing his craft until the world finally caught up.
“Contagious” is only the beginning. The single is the first of three tracks that will drop in the coming months, each reflecting a new dimension of Ray’s artistry and pointing toward his highly anticipated debut album. It’s a move designed to showcase range: the vulnerability, the groove, the pop instincts, and the soul that’s already earned him critical acclaim. BET has hailed him as “one of the most breathtaking young talents of today,” while Clash noted that “his star shines brighter with every subsequent release.”
With endorsements from MTV Push, Amazon Music, The Independent, Notion, and The Line of Best Fit, Victor Ray’s momentum feels unstoppable. And yet, with “Contagious,” he makes it clear that he’s not racing to keep up with the hype — he’s setting the pace himself.
In a year when breakout artists often feel like products of algorithms, Victor Ray is offering something different: timeless vocals, storytelling rooted in lived experience, and a sound that straddles the intimate and the anthemic. If “Contagious” is the opening move, the next chapter of his career may well be the one that crowns him.
Watch the official music video for Contagious here.
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