"Nicki and Cardi SHOULD take note": Fans react as RAYE praises Olivia Dean, saying "she's eating the game down"

The UK music scene has been buzzing after RAYE spoke about British artist Olivia Dean during a recent BBC Radio 1 interview. RAYE is currently preparing for an international tour. She is also gearing up for her second album.

RAYE had nice words for her former schoolmate. In her statement, she described Olivia Dean as "such an amazing artist and an amazing person." She also added that she was proud of her achievements. The "Genesis" singer mentioned:

"She is such an amazing artist and an amazing person. Fun fact: we was actually at school together. She was the year below me and we used to sit in music form together. I am so proud of her, she is shining, she sold out four O2s. She's eating the game down! She is just a true artist and we need artists like her to be, just, shining. Everyone needs to know her."

Her comments quickly spread online. Fans highlighted the importance of one leading female artist supporting another. One user wrote:

"Honestly, Nicki and Cardi SHOULD take note"

Fans' reactions to RAYE praising Olivia Dean

Pop Crave took to its official X (formerly Twitter) page to post that,

"RAYE praises Olivia Dean to BBC Radio 1"

Netizens were notably quick to jump into the comment section of the X post as they penned their thoughts regarding RAYE's take on Olivia Dean. Below are some of their reactions:

"Ah yes, they went to school together… and Olivia Dean is out here selling out O2s while RAYE’s still figuring out how to pronounce ‘shining.’", noted an X user.

"Congrats to Olivia Dean if the music stands up to the hype. Will the songs outlive the quote, or is this another moment in the PR spotlight? Your thoughts: genuine breakthrough or a perfectly framed moment in industry storytelling? 🎤", questioned another.

"This is the kind of energy the industry needs: women recognizing brilliance in one another, not as rivals but as reflections of shared purpose. RAYE’s words show emotional maturity and genuine artistry; when true talent honours true talent, it creates a culture of growth instead of comparison. It’s not just praise, but rather, it’s a reminder that real success shines brighter when it’s shared.", opined a third.

Others also chimed in:

"That is such a sweet and genuine compliment from RAYE... Love seeing artists uplifting each other like this. Olivia Dean truly deserves all the success she’s getting...", lauded a fan.

"RAYE hyping Olivia Dean like this? That's bestie energy ✨ She is right, Olivia Dean is EATING.", declared another.

"Wow 😍 that's such high praise from RAYE ... Olivia Dean really is shining and making waves...... so proud of her growth.", commented a third.

Olivia Dean's upcoming tour will take her across the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Two new O2 Arena shows in London were recently added due to reported high demand. A complete itinerary for Olivia Dean's trek is as follows:

Thursday, November 20, 2025, Sydney, Fleet Steps
Wednesday, April 22, 2026, Glasgow, OVO Hydro
Thursday, April 23, 2026, Glasgow, OVO Hydro
Saturday, April 25, 2026, Manchester, Co-op Live
Sunday, April 26, 2026, Manchester, Co-op Live
Wednesday, April 29, 2026, London, O2 Arena
Thursday, April 30, 2026, London, O2 Arena
Friday, May 01, 2026, London, O2 Arena
Saturday, May 02, 2026, London, O2 Arena
Friday, May 08, 2026, Brussels, Forest National (Belgium)
Saturday, May 09, 2026, Amsterdam, Ziggo Dome (Netherlands)
Monday, May 11, 2026, Dusseldorf, Mitsubishi Electric Halle (Germany)
Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Berlin, Velodrom (Germany)
Thursday, May 14, 2026, Copenhagen, Royal Arena (Denmark)
Saturday, May 16, 2026, Oslo, Unity Arena (Norway)
Sunday, May 17, 2026, Stockholm, Avicii Arena (Sweden)
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, Zurich, Hall (Switzerland)
Friday, May 22, 2026, Milan, Kozel Carroponte (Italy)
Thursday, June 11, 2026, London, O2 Arena [NEW]
Friday, June 12, 2026, London, O2 Arena [NEW]
Wednesday, June 17, 2026, Paris, Accor Arena (France)
Saturday, June 20, 2026, Dublin, Fairview Park
Sunday, June 21, 2026, Dublin, Fairview Park
Monday, October 05, 2026, Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena
Tuesday, October 06, 2026, Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena
Friday, October 09, 2026, Sydney, Qudos Bank Arena
Saturday, October 10, 2026, Sydney, Qudos Bank Arena
Tuesday, October 13, 2026, Brisbane, Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Saturday, October 17, 2026, Auckland, Spark Arena

RAYE will also kick off a world tour in early 2026. The confirmed dates and stops are as follows:

European and UK shows

Thursday, January 22, 2026, Lodz, Atlas Arena (Poland) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Saturday, January 24, 2026, Berlin, Uber Arena (Germany) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Sunday, January 25, 2026, Prague, O2 Arena (Czech Republic) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Tuesday, January 27, 2026, Amsterdam, Ziggo Dome (Netherlands) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Wednesday, January 28, 2026, Amsterdam, Ziggo Dome (Netherlands) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Friday, January 30, 2026, Bologna, Unipol Arena (Italy) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Sunday, February 01, 2026, Antwerp, AFAS Dome (Belgium) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Tuesday, February 03, 2026, Copenhagen, Royal Arena (Denmark) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Thursday, February 05, 2026, Oslo, Unity Arena (Norway) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Saturday, February 07, 2026, Stockholm, Avicii Arena (Sweden) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Tuesday, February 10, 2026, Cologne, Lanxess Arena (Germany) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Wednesday, February 11, 2026, Zurich, Hallenstadion (Switzerland) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Friday, February 13, 2026, Barcelona, Palau Sant Jordi (Spain) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Sunday, February 15, 2026, Paris, Accor Arena (France) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Tuesday, February 17, 2026, Manchester, Co-op Live (UK) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Wednesday, February 18, 2026, Manchester, Co-op Live (UK) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Friday, February 20, 2026, Glasgow, OVO Hydro (UK) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Saturday, February 21, 2026, Glasgow, OVO Hydro (UK) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Monday, February 23, 2026, Birmingham, bp pulse LIVE (UK) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Thursday, February 26, 2026, London, The O2 (UK) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Friday, February 27, 2026, London, The O2 (UK) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Sunday, March 01, 2026, London, The O2 (UK) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Monday, March 02, 2026, London, The O2 (UK) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Wednesday, March 04, 2026, Dublin, 3Arena (Ireland) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Thursday, March 05, 2026, Dublin, 3Arena (Ireland) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA

North America shows

Monday, March 31, 2026, Sacramento, Channel 24 (CA) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Thursday, April 02, 2026, Vancouver, Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre (BC) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Friday, April 03, 2026, Seattle, WAMU Theater (WA) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Monday, April 06, 2026, Denver, Fillmore Auditorium (CO) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Wednesday, April 08, 2026, Minneapolis, State Theatre (MN) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Friday, April 10, 2026, Chicago, The Auditorium (IL) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Sunday, April 12, 2026, Montreal, Place Bell (QC) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Monday, April 13, 2026, Toronto, Coca-Cola Coliseum (ON) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Wednesday, April 15, 2026, New York, Radio City Music Hall (NY) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Thursday, April 16, 2026, New York, Radio City Music Hall (NY) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Sunday, April 19, 2026, Philadelphia, The Met Presented by Highmark (PA) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Monday, April 20, 2026, Boston, MGM Music Hall at Fenway (MA) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Sunday, April 26, 2026, Washington, DC, The Anthem with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Tuesday, April 28, 2026, Atlanta, Coca-Cola Roxy (GA) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Wednesday, April 29, 2026, Nashville, Ryman Auditorium (TN) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Friday, May 01, 2026, Houston, 713 Music Hall (TX) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Sunday, May 03, 2026, Dallas, South Side Ballroom (TX) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Monday, May 04, 2026, Austin, Moody Amphitheatre (TX) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Thursday, May 07, 2026, Phoenix, Arizona, Financial Theatre (AZ) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Friday, May 08, 2026, Las Vegas, The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan (NV) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Sunday, May 10, 2026, San Francisco, Bill Graham Civic Auditorium (CA) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Los Angeles, Greek Theatre (CA) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA
Wednesday, May 13, 2026, Los Angeles, Greek Theatre (CA) with ABSOLUTELY and AMMA