RAYE “Joy.” Meaning: Who Are Amma and Absolutely, and What Is the Sample?
RAYE’s “Joy.” is about finding happiness after a difficult period.
But the recording isn’t simply a cheerful pop song.
It features her two sisters, Amma and Absolutely, combines gospel and disco influences, and includes a sample associated with James Brown.
The three singers celebrate the possibility of moving beyond sadness without pretending that difficult experiences never happened.
“Joy.” originally appeared on RAYE’s second album, This Music May Contain Hope., released on 27 March 2026.
It was subsequently released as a single in September.
And in October 2026, the recording began attracting renewed attention on the UK Official Trending Chart.
But perhaps the most interesting part of the song is the family connection.
What does “Joy.” actually mean?
Choosing to look for happiness even when life has been difficult.
The recording acknowledges that people experience sadness, disappointment and emotional pain.
But those feelings don’t necessarily last forever.
RAYE presents joy as something that can return.
The message isn’t that everybody should be happy constantly.
It’s that difficult circumstances don’t have to define every future moment.
That distinction gives the song more emotional depth than an ordinary celebration anthem.
The music sounds enormous and uplifting.
But its optimism comes from recognising that life can also be painful.
Who are Amma and Absolutely?
They’re RAYE’s younger sisters.
RAYE’s real name is Rachel Keen.
Amma performs under her own name and is also known as Lauren Keen.
Absolutely is the stage name of Abby-Lynn Keen.
Both are singers and songwriters developing their own musical careers.
“Joy.” brings all three sisters together on one recording.
It’s a particularly interesting collaboration because each singer contributes a different vocal personality.
Rather than treating Amma and Absolutely as anonymous backing singers, the song gives them their own sections.
That makes it feel like a genuine family performance.
Is this the first song they’ve recorded together?
“Joy.” is their first released collaboration as a trio.
The sisters had already performed together live, including during RAYE’s 2026 tour.
They also performed the song at Reading Festival.
That means the recording had developed a public identity before its full single campaign.
The connection is particularly meaningful because RAYE’s album explores emotional recovery and hope.
Her sisters become part of that musical story.
The recording isn’t simply about finding happiness independently.
It’s about sharing it with people who matter.
What does “Joy.” sample?
The song incorporates a spoken contribution associated with James Brown and the J.B.’s recording “Damn Right I Am Somebody”.
The original was released in 1974.
The sampled voice appears within the newer recording, connecting RAYE’s music with an earlier generation of funk and soul.
That’s an appropriate musical connection.
James Brown and his musicians helped establish a rhythmic language that influenced decades of dance music.
RAYE’s recording draws from that tradition while introducing contemporary pop production.
The sample isn’t the entire foundation of the song.
It’s one element inside a broader arrangement.
What genre is “Joy.”?
Soul-pop.
Gospel-influenced pop.
Disco.
Contemporary R&B.
The recording combines several musical traditions rather than belonging to one narrow genre.
The drums create an energetic dance rhythm.
Brass and strings give the arrangement a larger, almost theatrical personality.
The vocals draw from soul and gospel performance.
That combination makes the recording feel both contemporary and connected to older musical traditions.
Listeners who enjoy RAYE’s jazzier recordings may recognise a similar interest in live instrumentation.
But “Joy.” is considerably more celebratory.
Why does the song sound so uplifting?
Because the arrangement gradually expands.
The individual voices create a sense of conversation.
The instrumentation becomes increasingly energetic.
The backing vocals create a communal atmosphere.
Those qualities reinforce the central message.
The music doesn’t simply describe happiness.
It attempts to create that feeling in the listener.
That’s also why the song works particularly well during live performances.
The audience can participate in the celebration.
What happens in the music video?
RAYE, Amma and Absolutely travel through London in a vehicle called the Joymobile.
Their mission is simple.
Make strangers smile.
The three singers hand out sunflowers to members of the public.
They interact with people on the street.
And they record the reactions.
The video includes playful moments between the sisters, making the finished production feel more personal than an elaborate fictional music video.
The concept directly reflects the song.
If the recording celebrates joy, the video attempts to create some.
Why are sunflowers important?
They provide a simple visual symbol of happiness.
Sunflowers are bright and recognisable.
Giving somebody a flower is also a small act of generosity.
The recipients don’t necessarily know who RAYE is.
They don’t need to.
The interaction itself becomes the point.
That’s an important distinction.
The video isn’t simply about people reacting to a famous singer.
It’s about creating positive moments through ordinary human contact.
How does “Joy.” fit into RAYE’s album?
This Music May Contain Hope. explores emotional difficulty and recovery.
The album is structured around four thematic seasons.
Its songs move through different emotional states.
Some are dark and introspective.
Others are more hopeful.
“Joy.” belongs to the uplifting side of that journey.
Its placement towards the end of the album makes sense.
The recording feels like an emotional release after a more complicated experience.
It’s the kind of song that becomes more meaningful when heard in the context of the complete project.
Why is “Joy.” trending again?
The recording has continued attracting attention beyond its September single release.
On the Official Trending Chart published 27 October 2026, the track appeared at No. 12.
The chart identifies recordings demonstrating notable week-on-week growth.
That’s a useful signal that people are continuing to discover the song.
However, trending-chart placement isn’t the same thing as being one of the year’s biggest overall singles.
It measures momentum rather than simply total audience size.
For Radar, the opportunity lies in explaining the song’s meaning and identifying the additional singers.
Songs like RAYE’s “Joy.”
If you enjoy its combination of soul, gospel and uplifting production, try:
- RAYE – Worth It.
- James Brown – I Got You (I Feel Good)
- Aretha Franklin – Think
- Sister Sledge – We Are Family
- The Emotions – Best of My Love
- Olivia Dean – So Easy (To Fall in Love)
- Stevie Wonder – Sir Duke
- Lizzo – About Damn Time
- Beyoncé – Love on Top
- Michael Jackson – Working Day and Night
These recordings explore different combinations of strong rhythm, soulful singing and celebratory musical energy.
Why does family make the recording more interesting?
Because the relationship between the performers already exists outside the music.
RAYE doesn’t need to invent an emotional connection with Amma and Absolutely.
They grew up together.
They understand one another’s personalities.
And that familiarity becomes part of the performance.
The music video reinforces the same feeling through their playful interactions.
It’s an enjoyable reminder that collaboration doesn’t always need to be between unrelated celebrities.
Sometimes the strongest musical chemistry comes from family.
What should you listen to next?
Start with RAYE’s This Music May Contain Hope.
Then explore Amma and Absolutely’s individual releases.
If you prefer the soul and jazz influences, listen to RAYE’s debut album My 21st Century Blues.
For the older musical roots, explore James Brown, Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder.
That progression shows how contemporary pop can connect with several generations of soul music.
What does RAYE’s “Joy.” really mean?
Finding happiness after emotional difficulty.
The recording features her sisters Amma and Absolutely and incorporates a James Brown-associated sample.
Its message is hopeful without pretending that life is always easy.
And the music video turns that optimism into something practical.
Three sisters driving around London, giving strangers flowers and making people smile.
Sometimes a song’s meaning is exactly what it sounds like.