RAYE, The WhatsApp Shakespeare. | Wacky Wednesday

In the 35^th edition of Wacky Wednesday (2026), we break down the unique “The WhatsApp Shakespeare.,” performed by RAYE.

Do you know what day it is? It is Wednesday, folks! Do you know what that means? Why, it is Wacky Wednesday! In the spirited column Wacky Wednesday, we analyze and explore unique, unusual, or wacky songs from different genres.  These songs can be new or old; the only requirement is that they ‘catch the ears’ because of their distinctiveness.  With the background established, in the 35^th edition of Wacky Wednesday (2026), we break down the unique “The WhatsApp Shakespeare.”, performed by RAYE. Wacky Wednesday vibes commence! 

Hmm, this story sounds familiar… Early on, British singer-songwriter RAYE (Rachel Keen) has our full and undivided attention on the uniquely named “The WhatsApp Shakespeare.” The adventurous fourth track from her ambitious sophomore album, THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE., begins adventurously, referencing the Bible. But the restless artist doesn’t just rely on the book of Genesis and the Garden of Eden as she’s “deceived by her very own traitor.”  She gets Shakespearean, too! ‘The WhatsApp Shakespeare Killer,’ we call him / Lies just to climb into your bedroom door / Now you’re fighting for your life on your bedroom floor.” “The WhatsApp Shakespeare.” was written by RAYE, Tom Richards, and Callum Au. It was produced by RAYE and Mike Sabath, with additional production from Richards.

“The WhatsApp Shakespeare.” is a big record.  Sure, it clocks in at under four minutes long, but there’s A LOT TO TAKE IN.  Notably, this is a two-part song.  Even one part, the part referenced earlier, is a lot (I say that A LOT about this song). “WhatsApp” begins with playful piano accompaniment, with RAYE bringing it with her ever-colorful storytelling approach. It doesn’t take long for the production to fill out. Besides many lyrics, there are plenty of sounds to take in as well.  The melodies are quick and rhythmic, but also tuneful. It takes a lot of skill and talent for RAYE to sing like this. To call it anything short of impressive would be a travesty.  The production is vibrant, blending various styles: pop, R&B, hip-hop, cinematic music, and, in part two, big band.  The orchestration = magnificent.  In the first part, we get Lazarus (The Bible), Romeo, Juliet, and tragedy, including “His weapons of mass seduction / My midsummer night nightmare.” Bad stuff goes down, prompting RAYE to describe this abusive fella as a “6’2” sick mother – five months minimum recovery.” Ooh-wee, an essay could be written about the first part, but best to listen and take away from it what you will.

The second part of the song is quite the about-face. That WhatsApp Shakespeare Killer is still full force – “Ooh, he’s a cursive kisser (Romeo Fraud) / He’d WhatsApp call me” – but there’s a dramatic, shocking, campy, and theatrical switch to an old-school big band, vaudevillian sound. This is incredibly creative, something only someone as ambitious and clever as RAYE could pull off. Even then, it’s, for lack of a better word, a lot.  In the outro, RAYE asserts, “You better run / Stick it to the man / You better run while you can.” The song ends dramatically… could it end any other way? NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT.  Although it is a challenge for the listener to capture everything RAYE throws at them on “The WhatsApp Shakespeare.”, this is easily one of the most creative songs of 2026, and, honestly, one of the most creative songs I’ve heard in years.

---

RAYE » THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE. » RAYE / Human Re Sources » 2026

RAYE, The WhatsApp Shakespeare.: Wacky Wednesday No. 35 (2026) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; RAYE / Human Re Sources; Vitaly Gorbachev from Pexels; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Gordon Johnson from Pixabay]

---