In 2010, she formed her jazz band The Knutz with Chinese and African American musicians, with whom she wrote, recorded and performed mainly R&B and neo soul music.

[1] She has since collaborated with various artists from the United States, including Kehlani,[2] Jason Derulo,[3] Gallant[4] and Far East Movement,[5] blending Chinese elements with traditionally Western music styles.

In 2021, she released her fourth studio album Once Upon A Moon and received the “Most Popular Female Singer of the Year” award from state-broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV).

In 2022, Once Upon A Moon earned her two nominations at the 33rd Golden Melody Awards in Taiwan, including Best Mandarin Female Singer and Best Vocal Recording Album.

Inspired by neo soul artists like India Arie, Stevie Wonder, Eryka Badu and Jill Scott, Ray formed her first band Soulside with fellow young musicians in Beijing.

In 2017, Ray recorded Be Apart (说散就散) for the soundtrack of the movie The Ex-File 3: The Return of the Exes, which became her biggest hit and the seventh highest-selling song on IFPI's Global Singles chart.

In 2019, Ray released an EP titled 1212, written, produced and recorded mainly in Los Angeles, where she worked with local musicians including The Rascals, frequent collaborator of Ariana Grande, Kehlani and Babyface, whom she met in one of the studio sessions.

During her stay in the city, she also collaborated with hip-hop group Far East Movement on "Paint the Clouds", Gallant on "Trust Myself," and Jason Derulo on "Champion", the theme song of the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

In 2020, Ray released Starfall featuring electronic group HOYO-MiX, the theme song of Chinese video game Honkai Impact 3rd.

In 2023, she released her sixth studio album Allure, which earned her a nomination for Best Mandarin Female Singer again at the 35th Golden Melody Awards.