Ray Dalton: The Soulful Voice of Pop

Ray Dalton is an American singer and songwriter whose powerful, soul-infused vocals have become a fixture on international pop charts. Hailing from Seattle, Washington, Dalton achieved global fame as the featured vocalist on the multi-platinum smash "Can't Hold Us" by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, a track that catapulted him into the spotlight and defined a generation of anthemic pop-rap.

Early career

Born in 1991, Ray Dalton grew up in Seattle and began cultivating his musical talent from a young age, singing in church and studying classical piano. His professional journey started in earnest when he began performing locally and uploading cover songs to YouTube, which caught the attention of producers and led to his first major label involvement with Atlantic Records.

Breakthrough

Dalton's career transformed in 2011 when he was featured on "Can't Hold Us," the second single from Macklemore & Ryan Lewis's breakthrough album The Heist. Released in 2012, the song became a worldwide phenomenon, peaking at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and earning a Diamond certification in the United States for sales exceeding 10 million units. This collaboration instantly established Dalton's voice as one of the most recognizable in contemporary pop music.

Key tracks

Can't Hold Us (with Macklemore & Ryan Lewis) — This chart-topping, Diamond-certified single is the definitive track that introduced Dalton's soaring vocals to a global audience.

Love Me Like You Do (with The Son of John) — Released in 2020, this track showcased Dalton's ability to craft emotive, radio-friendly pop outside of his famous collaboration.

Set It All Free — As a solo artist, this 2016 single highlighted Dalton's own songwriting and his blend of pop, soul, and R&B influences.

In My Bones (with The Knocks) — This 2017 collaboration demonstrated Dalton's versatility within the electronic and dance-pop genres.

Following his initial success, Ray Dalton focused on developing his solo career and further high-profile collaborations. He released a series of singles and EPs, including 2016's Ray Dalton, and lent his vocals to tracks by artists like The Knocks. His work continues to blend pop immediacy with the raw emotional power of soul and gospel, securing his place as a sought-after vocalist in the industry.

Fans of Ray Dalton's soulful pop style may also enjoy the music of John Legend for a similar blend of piano-driven soul and pop craftsmanship. The anthemic quality of Dalton's hooks finds a parallel in the work of OneRepublic, known for their grand, emotionally resonant pop productions. Listeners drawn to Dalton's vocal power might appreciate the genre-blending approach of Anderson .Paak, who merges R&B, soul, and hip-hop with vibrant energy.

The music of Ray Dalton receives regular airplay across a variety of pop and adult contemporary radio stations, as well as on online radio streams that specialize in chart hits and modern vocalists. His tracks are staples on playlists that bridge the gap between soulful ballads and high-energy pop anthems, ensuring his voice reaches a broad and appreciative audience.

You can hear the powerful pop anthems and soulful tracks from Ray Dalton's catalog on radio stations featured right here on onairium.com. Discover his music and listen along as our curated stations highlight his journey from a chart-topping collaborator to a compelling solo artist.