Raye ‘shuts down London street’ to film secret new music video

Raye was reportedly spotted filming a top-secret new music video in London this week, after shutting down a residential street in Walthamstow.

The singer-songwriter, 28, was seen dancing and singing in the freezing temperatures on Monday, dressed in a velvet gown and performing alongside a painted fake zebra crossing, which had been temporarily added to the road for the shoot.

Locals were said to be stunned by the unexpected appearance, with some peering out of windows while one delivery worker was reportedly “stopped in his tracks” by the surprise filming.

A source told The Sun that the project was kept tightly under wraps. “While most people stayed at home because the weather was so cold, Raye was a total trooper and got to work on a big, top-secret new video,” they said.

“Residents had only been told the street was being closed for filming, with no indication of who the star might be. It was freezing out there, but she was dancing and singing in this velvet dress like a total pro. There was a fake zebra crossing drawn on the road and she was skipping across it.”

The Standard has contacted a representative for Raye for comment.

The sighting comes just days after Raye celebrated a major career milestone, after her track Where Is My Husband officially reached number one on the UK singles chart, marking the first chart-topper of 2026.

The singer marked the achievement in dramatic fashion at home, sharing a series of celebratory Instagram photos. Wearing a glamorous grey feathered gown, she clutched her trophy as she punched the air and screamed with delight in one image, while another showed her quietly cradling the award with her eyes closed.

The chart success followed a slow-burn rise, with the song climbing steadily over 15 weeks thanks to strong streaming numbers and viral social media traction. The single has now become Raye’s second UK number one, following her 2023 breakthrough hit Escapism.

The track is also set to feature on her forthcoming 2026 studio album and marks her 20th Top 40 single across a decade-long career.

Raye’s latest triumph caps a remarkable turnaround in the music industry. Born Rachel Agatha Keen, she previously signed to Polydor but later parted ways with the label after years of delayed or shelved album releases, speaking openly about feeling creatively blocked during that time.

After going independent and partnering with Human Re Sources, the singer regained control of her output — a decision that proved pivotal to her resurgence.

She previously discussed the emotional toll of those early struggles in Louis Theroux Interviews, saying she ultimately wanted “to be a person who’s in control of my life”.

That determination has since paid off. From critical acclaim for her debut album 21st Century Blues to record-breaking Brit Awards wins and now a return to the top of the singles chart, Raye’s journey has become one of the most compelling comeback stories in modern British pop.