Ravyn Lenae
Biography
Ravyn Lenae Washington, born January 22, 1999, is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter from Chicago, Illinois. Her interest in music developed at a young age, partly due to her grandfather's involvement in a doo-wop group in Panama and her participation in church services where her paternal grandfather was a pastor. She began writing her own songs in middle school and later attended the Chicago High School for the Arts, focusing on classical music.
Early Career and EPs
While still in high school, Lenae invested $300 into a studio session which resulted in her debut single, "Greetings". In 2015, she independently released her debut EP, "Moon Shoes," which garnered critical praise for its fluid vocals and poetic lyrics. This release led to her signing with Atlantic Records and the Three Twenty Three Music Group in 2016, who then reissued the EP. She is also a member of the Chicago-based musical collective, Zero Fatigue, alongside artists like Smino and producer Monte Booker. Lenae followed up with two more EPs: "Midnight Moonlight" in 2017 and "Crush" in 2018, which was entirely produced by Steve Lacy.
Tours and Collaborations
Her early career included touring with and opening for prominent artists such as Noname on her Telefone Tour and SZA on her Ctrl Tour in 2017. She has also been a featured artist on tracks by Mick Jenkins and Noname. Her collaboration with producer Monte Booker was instrumental in shaping her early sound.
Musical Style and Influences
Ravyn Lenae's music is a blend of R&B, soul, electronic, and hip-hop. Her style has been described as a mix of nu soul, electro-jazz, and chamber pop. She has cited a wide range of artists as influences, including Erykah Badu, OutKast, Janet Jackson, Brandy, and India.Arie. Her vocal style has drawn comparisons to artists like Billie Holiday and Erykah Badu.
Debut and Subsequent Albums
Lenae released her debut studio album, "Hypnos," on May 20, 2022, to critical acclaim. The album, recorded over four years, features collaborations with artists such as Steve Lacy, Kaytranada, Smino, and Mereba. It was praised for its mature sound and Lenae's vocal prowess, earning a "Best New Music" designation from Pitchfork. On August 9, 2024, she released her second album, "Bird's Eye." A track from this album, "Love Me Not," gained significant traction and became her most commercially successful song to date.