RAYE is set to make a significant impact during the upcoming Grammy Awards, with the artist being nominated for Best Music Film in 2026. The day prior to the prestigious ceremony, she will be honored with the Harry Belafonte Award for Best Song for Social Change due to her poignant track “Ice Cream Man,” featured on her debut album, *My 21st Century Blues*.
The Harry Belafonte Award, introduced in 2022, is a tribute to songwriters who create impactful music that addresses pressing social issues. RAYE’s “Ice Cream Man,” co-written by Michael Tucker and Mike Sabath, delivers a raw and emotional exploration of the trauma associated with sexual assault. The lyrics reflect deep personal pain and resilience: “Coming like the ice cream man/ Till I felt his ice-cold hands/ And how I pay the price now, damn… / Everything you did, it left me in a ruin.”
In celebrating RAYE’s work, Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, emphasized the powerful role music plays in advocacy and awareness, stating that the song is a reminder of music’s potential to amplify the voices of those often unheard. Alongside RAYE, co-writers Tucker and Sabath will also be recognized for their contributions to this impactful piece.
RAYE is set to receive the award on January 31 at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles. The evening will also feature other Grammy merit honors, recognizing legends like Carlos Santana, Chaka Khan, Cher, the late Whitney Houston, and Paul Simon.
This recognition not only spotlights RAYE’s artistic talent but also emphasizes the growing importance of socially conscious music in today’s landscape, offering hope and inspiration to many.