Rhea Raj
Rhea Raj | |
|---|---|
| Born | Rhea Rajagopalan[1] April 5, 2000 Stamford, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Alma mater | New York University Tisch School of the Arts |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2016–present[1] |
| Relatives | Lara Raj (sister) |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Website | rhearaj |
Rhea Rajagopalan[1] (born April 5, 2000), known professionally as Rhea Raj, is an American singer-songwriter.[3] She is a Songwriters Hall of Fame scholarship award winner for 2020[4], and is the Spotify x Gold House Artist of the Year winner for 2023[5]. She released her first album, Hunter, in 2024.
Early life
Rhea Raj was born in Stamford, Connecticut, to Indian parents, Kavita Raj and Sri Rajagopalan. Her parents are both ethnically Tamil.[3] She grew up in Plano, Texas[6] and New Jersey before moving to New York. Her mother ran a Bharatnatyam dance school, which led Rhea to begin her interest in music.[7] She has been musically trained since age 10.[7][8] She studied at the New York University Tisch School of the Arts' Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music[9] where she met Jacob Kasher Hindlin and Jaime Hindlin who signed Rhea to their publishing company[10].
Her younger sister, Lara Raj, is also a singer, and is part of girl group Katseye.[11]
Career
2016: American Idol
Raj appeared in the fifteenth season of American Idol in 2016. She progressed from the audition stage but failed to pass the Hollywood Week round.[1][12]
2024–present: Hunter and Commotion EP
In 2024, Raj released her debut studio album, Hunter,[13][3][14] and a stripped down version, Hunter (Tamed edition).[15] In 2025, Raj released her follow-up EP, Commotion[16]. Its lead single "Haute Couture" with Aliyah's Interlude received a Fortnite emote. Later that year, Raj went on her first headlining tour to promote the EP where she highlighted her Bharatnatyam skills.[17]
Discography
- Studio albums
- Hunter (2024)
- Hunter Tamed Edition (2024)
- Commotion EP (2025)
- Commotion+ (2025)
- Singles
- "2AM" (with UpsideDown) (2019) [18]
- "MVP" (2021)[18]
- "Venom" (2021)[18]
- "In Ur Hands" (2021)[18]
- "Outside" (2022)[18]
- "Taste That (Mwah)" (2023)[18]
- "Atmosphere" (2023)[18]
- "Oops! Ur Single Now" (2023)[18]
- "OUT OF BODY" (2023)[18]
- "MESSY" (2024)[18]
- "HUSH" (2024)[18]
- "DIGITAL BABE" (2024)[18]
- "PRAY ON IT" (Feat Talwiinder & Yung Raja) (2025)[18]
- "Haute Couture" (with Aliyah's Interlude) (2025)[18]
- "Mumbai" (2025)[18]
- "Haute Couture with Aliyah's Interlude (Slush Puppy Remix)" (2025)[18]
- "Killer" (2025)[18]
- Features (tracks Rhea features on) [19]
- "fw me(dirty)" Knock2 (2025)
| Year | Artist | Album | Song |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Knock2 and Rhea Raj | ||
| 2025 | Rhea Raj and Aliyah's Interlude | "Haute Couture" | |
| 2025 | Maroon 5 featuring Lisa | Love Is Like | "Priceless" |
Tours
Headlining
| Date | City | Country | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 2 | Chicago | United States | Beat Kitchen |
| December 4 | Toronto | Canada | The Garrison |
| December 6 | New York City | United States | Mercury Lounge |
| December 7 | Washington D.C. | Pearl Street Warehouse | |
| December 9 | Los Angeles | The Roxy |
References
- ^ a b c d "'American Idol' Recap: Fourth Night of Auditions Returns to Little Rock and Denver". Billboard. January 14, 2016. Archived from the original on March 22, 2020. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
- ^ "International sensation Rhea Raj making wonders with her enchanting voice across the globe". bollywoodchronicle.com/. Archived from the original on March 23, 2020.
- ^ a b c Reeta (June 1, 2019). "The "2 AM" singer Rhea Raj is Indian by birth". Tellyexpress. Archived from the original on March 22, 2020. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
- ^ "Abe Olman Scholarship". Songwriters Hall of Fame. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
- ^ "Rhea Raj". Gold House. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
- ^ "Meet Rhea Raj - Voyage LA Magazine | LA City Guide". Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
- ^ a b Glamsham (March 23, 2020). "Rhea Raj, surely is a one of a kind artist of today's time". Glamsham. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
- ^ "A blend of music and dance.. Rhea Raj, surely is a one of a kind artist of today's time". www.msn.com. Archived from the original on February 19, 2025. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
- ^ Pawa, Anjana (December 19, 2023). "Rhea Raj: 'I want to share my culture with the world'". JoySauce. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
- ^ "RHEA RAJ – Livelihood Music Company". Retrieved February 24, 2026.
- ^ "Meet Lara Raj". Voyage LA Magazine. July 30, 2020. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
- ^ "Ex American Idol Contestant Rhea Raj Talks New Music, Feminism and More!". Urban Asian. April 17, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
- ^ "Royalty By UpsideDown, Happy Singh & Rhea Raj Will Make You Shake A Leg". Urban Asian. June 10, 2019. Archived from the original on March 22, 2020. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
- ^ Mier, Tomás (June 27, 2024). "Rising Pop Star Rhea Raj Dances Through a Moody Sci-Fi World in Flirtatious Video for 'Hush'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 27, 2024. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
- ^ "Year of the Hunter". Harper's Bazaar Việt Nam. December 4, 2024. Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
- ^ "Q&A: Rhea Raj Burns It All Down and Rebuilds in "COMMOTION" EP". Luna Collective.
- ^ "Rhea Raj Announces First Headline Tour". Asia Blooming.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Rhea Raj Artist page on Apple Music". Apple Music.
- ^ "Rhea Raj Songs". Genius. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
- ^ Raj, Rhea (October 7, 2025). "I'M BEYOND EXCITED TO PRESENT 'COMMOTION' MY FIRST EVER HEADLINE TOUR".
- ^ "TOUR". Rhea Raj. Retrieved October 7, 2025.