Ray Dalton: The Soulful Voice of Pop and R&B
Ray Dalton is an American singer and songwriter best known for his powerful, soul-infused vocals on major pop collaborations. Hailing from Seattle, Washington, he first achieved global fame as the featured voice on the massive hit "Can't Hold Us" by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2013.
Early career
Born in 1991, Ray Dalton grew up in Seattle and began singing in church, which laid the foundation for his gospel-tinged vocal style. He started his professional music journey by performing locally and eventually caught the attention of the production duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, leading to his career-defining feature.
Breakthrough
Dalton's breakthrough arrived in 2012 with the release of "Can't Hold Us" from Macklemore & Ryan Lewis's album The Heist. The single exploded in 2013, reaching number one on charts worldwide and earning multi-platinum certifications, including diamond status in the United States for sales exceeding 10 million units.
Key tracks
Can't Hold Us — This Macklemore & Ryan Lewis collaboration featuring Dalton became a global anthem and his signature introduction to the music world.
Love Me Like You Do — Dalton co-wrote this song, which was later recorded by Ellie Goulding for the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack and became a worldwide hit.
In the Shadows — His 2015 solo single showcased his ability to blend pop, soul, and electronic elements into his own distinct sound.
Guts Over Fear — He provided backing vocals on this 2014 track by Eminem featuring Sia, demonstrating his versatility and industry respect.
Following his initial success, Ray Dalton focused on his solo career, releasing a series of singles and EPs. He has collaborated with a diverse range of artists, including reggae group The Green and electronic producer Sam Feldt, while consistently emphasizing his roots in soul and R&B music.
For fans of Ray Dalton's blend of pop, soul, and R&B, explore similar artists on our platform. Allen Stone shares a Seattle origin and a powerful, soul-inspired vocal approach. Robin Thicke operates in a similar space of blue-eyed soul and pop crossover. John Legend offers comparable piano-driven soul and heartfelt songwriting. Gallant matches Dalton's intensity with a modern, alternative R&B style and soaring vocals.
The music of Ray Dalton, from his chart-topping features to his solo R&B work, receives regular airplay across a network of contemporary hit, pop, and urban adult contemporary radio stations featured on this website. His tracks are staples in rotations that celebrate vocal prowess and catchy, soulful production.
You can hear the dynamic music of Ray Dalton on various radio stations available through onairium.com. Tune in to discover his hits and deep cuts across our curated selection of pop and R&B-focused online radio streams.
