Ravyn Lenae

Ravyn Lenae

Ravyn Lenae Washington is a singer-songwriter from Chicago, United States, whose work spans alternative R&B, contemporary R&B, neo soul, pop, R&B and singer-songwriter styles. She is signed to Atlantic Records and Three Twenty Three Music Group.

Career

Lenae begins releasing music in 2015 with her debut EP, Moon Shoes, which first appears as an independent release before being reissued in 2016. Her first single, “Greetings,” comes out of a studio session she pays for while still in high school. She also features on Monte Booker’s “Baby” in 2015.

In 2015, Lenae is part of the early core of the musical collective Zero Fatigue, alongside Monte Booker and rapper Smino, with the group brought together by Chris “Classick” Innumerable at Classick Studios. She is also a member of the collective Medicine Woman, and performs with fellow members Drea Smith, Via Rosa and Jean Deau at WBEZ’s Winter Block Party.

Her second EP, Midnight Moonlight, follows in 2017, and she later releases Crush, an EP entirely produced by Steve Lacy. In 2022, she releases her debut album, Hypnos, preceded by the single “Skin Tight” with Steve Lacy.

Collaborations and performances

Lenae appears as a featured performer on Mick Jenkins’ album The Healing Component and on Noname’s “Forever.” She tours with Noname on the Telefone tour and later opens for SZA on the Ctrl tour. She also features on Smino’s “Glass Flows” and performs at SXSW and a range of other festivals, including Mamby on the Beach in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighbourhood and Culture Shock in Purchase, New York.

Recognition

Her music draws praise for its fluid vocals and spare, poetic lyrics. In 2017, Rolling Stone includes her in its list of “10 New Artists You Need to Know.”

Debut album

Hypnos includes vocals and production from Monte Booker, Steve Lacy, KAYTRANADA, Fousheé, Mereba, Smino, Sango, Luke Titus, IAMNOBODI, Phoelix and Teo Halm.