Artist RAYE Becomes Audemars Piguet Ambassador

The date and location had been kept secret. Wednesday evening June 11, it was at Studios 180 on Surrey Street, not far from King's College London, that the artistic magic between RAYE and Mark Ranson took place. A hotspot for London's creative community, the iconic brutalist building, now a cultural centre, welcomed artists, clients and friends of the brand for a very exclusive evening. The collaboration between the two artists, initiated to celebrate the brand's 150th anniversary, has crystallised into a unique musical work entitled ‘Suzanne’, which RAYE and Mark Ronson revealed exclusively.

 The title, which refers to a first name, is not far removed from someone dear to Mark Ronson, but also resonates closely with the brand, as Suzanne Audemars, known as La Zanne, is a direct descendant of the Audemars and Piguet families, whose courage would play a role in the founding of the company. RAYE says: ‘Recording “Suzanne” with Mark Ronson was a kind of miracle, and discovering the deep relationship between this song and the history of the brand was a revelation!’

The artist RAYE, born Rachel Agatha Keen, is now joining the family of friends of the brand. A classically trained musician, she has quickly established herself as one of the most promising voices of her generation. Winning six BRIT Awards in 2024, including Best New Artist, Best Album and Best Song, RAYE made history by becoming the most awarded artist at a single ceremony and the first woman to win the Songwriter of the Year award.

 The evening allowed guests to enjoy an atmosphere inspired by the unique ambiance of recording studios, reflecting the APxMusic programme. RAYE took to the stage for an electrifying performance, followed by a DJ set by Mark Ronson himself.

 This collaboration between two artists is not the first of its kind for Audemars Piguet, as APxMusic – a programme created in 2019 that allows artists to explore creative avenues with other talents – has already facilitated several performances, including one by Mark Ronson and Lucky Daye, as well as individual collaborations such as the Berlin DJ collective Keinemusik.

 In 2020, the brand launched its mini-series ‘180’, tracing the creative process of artists invited to collaborate on a soundtrack, then, as part of its global partnership with the Montreux Jazz Festival, inaugurated the Audemars Piguet Parallel. ‘The APxMusic programme is an extension of our commitment to encouraging creativity and talent,’ explains Ilaria Resta, CEO of Audemars Piguet. ‘We are delighted to bring RAYE and Mark Ronson together for our 150th anniversary to present a beautiful original track that will resonate with the AP community and the general public for many years to come.’

Mark Ronson commented on the collaboration: ‘I have admired RAYE's artistic talent for years now, following her evolution from songwriter to the powerful artist she has become. When Audemars Piguet brought us together through their APxMusic programme, it felt like the stars were aligning at just the right moment.’