Ravyn Lenae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ravyn Lenae
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Ravyn Lenae at Camp Flog Gnaw 2023
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Ravyn Lenae Washington |
| Born | January 22, 1999 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
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| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 2014–present |
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Ravyn Lenae Washington (born January 22, 1999) is an American R&B singer and songwriter from Chicago. She is signed with Atlantic Records and the Three Twenty Three Music Group. Ravyn Lenae is also a part of a music group called Zero Fatigue.
She released her first collection of songs, called an EP, titled Moon Shoes in 2015. Atlantic Records later re-released it in 2016. Her next EP, Midnight Moonlight, came out in 2017. Ravyn Lenae has performed at many music festivals. In 2017, she toured with popular singers SZA and Noname.
Her first full album, Hypnos, was released on May 20, 2022. Her second album, Bird's Eye, came out on August 9, 2024. This album was very popular and included her hit song, "Love Me Not". This song reached number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was a top 50 hit in many countries.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Ravyn Lenae Washington was born in Chicago, Illinois. Her mother is from Panama. Ravyn Lenae grew up in the Pullman area of Chicago's South Side. Her family was part of the Christian Reformed Church. Her grandfather, Richard Williams, was the pastor there for 30 years.
She believes that singing in church helped her discover and improve her musical talents. When she was in middle school at Roseland Christian School, Ravyn Lenae started writing her own songs. She later attended the Chicago High School for the Arts. There, she studied classical music. She finished high school in May 2017 when she was 18 years old.
Musical Career
When Ravyn Lenae was a sophomore in high school, she spent $300 on a studio session. This session led to her first song, "Greetings." Soon after, in 2015, she sang on Monte Booker's song, "Baby." Monte Booker, Ravyn Lenae, and rapper Smino became the first members of the music group Zero Fatigue. Chris "Classick" Innumerable brought them together at his studio.
Ravyn Lenae's first EP, Moon Shoes, was first available for free in August 2015. Later, Atlantic Records and Three Twenty Three Music Group re-released it in 2016. Critics praised her "smooth vocals and simple, poetic lyrics."
In 2016, Ravyn Lenae officially signed with Atlantic Records. She also sang on songs for other artists, like Mick Jenkins' album The Healing Component and Noname's song "Forever." She then toured with Noname from January to March 2017. Ravyn Lenae also performed at a WBEZ event with other artists from the group Medicine Woman.
She released her second EP, Midnight Moonlight, on March 3, 2017. Later that month, she performed at SXSW. Rolling Stone magazine listed her as one of "10 New Artists You Need to Know." Over the next few months, she performed at other festivals, including Mamby on the Beach in Chicago. Starting in August 2017, Ravyn Lenae opened for SZA on her Ctrl Tour, which ended in December 2017. On February 9, 2018, she released her third EP, Crush, which was produced entirely by Steve Lacy.
On February 1, 2022, she released "Skin Tight" with Steve Lacy. This was the first song from her first album, Hypnos. Her debut album came out on May 20, 2022. It featured vocals and production from many artists, including Monte Booker, Steve Lacy, Kaytranada, and Smino. She then announced a tour that visited 16 cities.
Ravyn Lenae released the songs "Love Me Not" and "Love Is Blind" on May 3, 2024. These were the first of four songs released before her second album, Bird's Eye. Other songs included "Dream Girl" with Ty Dolla Sign and "One Wish" featuring Childish Gambino. On August 9, 2024, Bird's Eye was released. She also announced a tour with the same name, visiting 12 cities in seven countries.
On February 27, 2025, Ravyn Lenae announced she would join artists Olivia Dean and Amber Mark on part of Sabrina Carpenter's Short n' Sweet Tour.
Artistry and Music Style
Critics have described Ravyn Lenae's music as a mix of different styles. Eva Sauphie from Jeune Afrique said her music combines "nu soul, electro-jazz, chamber pop, and ambient hip-hop." The Austin American-Statesman called her style "a watercolor R&B platter with surprising depth."
Ravyn Lenae has said that artists like OutKast, Janet Jackson, Timbaland, Brandy, India.Arie, and Erykah Badu have influenced her music. Ryan Dombal from Pitchfork reviewed her performance on Monte Booker's "Baby." He said she sounded like a mix of Billie Holiday and Erykah Badu.
When comparing her first two EPs, Mosi Reeves of Rolling Stone noted that Midnight Moonlight explored "more romantic concerns with the same quiet grace" as Moon Shoes. He said she sings about being a dreamy, sometimes sad teenager in a soft but strong voice. Marcus J. Moore's Pitchfork review of Midnight Moonlight mentioned its "methodical late-night vibe," which was different from the "far brighter" energy of Moon Shoes.
Discography
Studio Albums
- Hypnos (Released: May 20, 2022)
- Bird's Eye (Released: August 9, 2024)
Extended Plays (EPs)
- Moon Shoes (Released: August 2015)
- Midnight Moonlight (Released: March 3, 2017)
- Crush (Released: February 9, 2018)
Charted Singles
- "Love Me Not" (2024)
- "One Wish" (featuring Childish Gambino) (2024)
- "Is It Real?" (with Flume and JPEGMafia) (2025)
Tours
Opening Act
- Reneé Rapp - Bite Me Tour (Reneé Rapp) (2025)
- Sabrina Carpenter - Short n' Sweet Tour (2025)
