At 26, Ravyn Lenae has evolved from a church-singing, classically trained teenager into a widely celebrated R&B innovator.
With three acclaimed EPs (Moon Shoes, Midnight Moonlight, Crush) and two powerful albums (Hypnos, Bird’s Eye), she blends emotional depth with genre-defying sounds.
Her viral hit “Love Me Not,” high-profile collaborations and tours affirm her as one of modern R&B’s most compelling voices.
Ravyn Lenae Biography
Ravyn Lenae Washington popularly known by her stage name Ravyn Lenae was born on January 22, 1999, in Chicago, Illinois, she was raised in a Christian household where her grandfather served as a pastor.
Lenae began singing in church and learning piano and guitar at an early age; a foundation that influenced her later sound.
She attended Chicago High School for the Arts, focusing on classical vocals, music theory, and opera, while balancing R&B and indie music interests.
Breakout & Zero Fatigue Collective
In her sophomore year, Ravyn spent her earnings (around $300) on a studio session that produced her first song, “Greetings”, released via SoundCloud in 2015..
That same year, she joined Zero Fatigue, a Chicago collective with Monte Booker and Smino, expanding creative collaborations in the city’s underground scene.
Early EPs & Major Label Signing
Ravyn Lenae debut EP, Moon Shoes, dropped in August 2015, earning critical acclaim for its minimalist, poetic sound and was reissued after she signed with Atlantic Records in 2016.
She followed up with Midnight Moonlight (2017), blending R&B, neo-soul, and electronic elements, including hits like “Spice” and “Thirst”. That year she toured with Noname (Telefone Tour) and SZA (CTRL Tour), and performed at festivals like SXSW.
Crush EP & Rise with Steve Lacy
On February 9, 2018, Ravyn released Crush, entirely produced by Steve Lacy. It was praised as a coming-of-age project that highlighted her evolving voice and artistic identity.
Bird’s Eye (Sophomore Album, 2024)
Bird’s Eye released on August 9, 2024 expanded her sonic palette with jazz, reggae, funk, and indie-pop influences. Produced by Dahi (with executive production), and features from Childish Gambino (“One Wish”) and Ty Dolla $ign (“Dream Girl”), the album is praised for its emotional maturity and creative exploratio.
Breakout Hit: “Love Me Not”
The single “Love Me Not” released on May 3, 2024 went viral on TikTok in early 2025. It peaked at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and charted top 5 in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and the UK. Producer Dahi collaborated with Anderson. Paak to create its distinctive soun.
Live Shows & Tours
After release of Bird’s Eye, Ravyn embarked on a fall 2024 tour highlighted by a de Young Museum gala in San Francisco followed by a Coachella set within 16 hours earning acclaim for her emotional stage presence . She also joined Sabrina Carpenter’s North American tour in 2025, and is set to perform at Lollapalooza in her hometown of Chicag.
Artistry & Influences
Ravyn Lenae’s style blends R&B, neo-soul, jazz, electro, and chamber-pop, drawing comparisons to Erykah Badu, Brandy, OutKast, Janet Jackson, and Aaliyah. She emphasizes a colorful, glittery aesthetic in both music and fashion, crafting a cohesive artistic persona.
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