.png)
The Voice Behind “Love Me Not”
By now, you’ve heard Ravyn Lenae’s viral song “Love Me Not” on TikTok, but Lenae is far from a one-hit wonder. The song comes from her album Bird’s Eye (2024), full of equally vibey tracks that are definitely worth adding to your playlist. Even before her viral success, Lenae was already recognized as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary R&B, breaking out of the niche by layering her honeyed vocals over indie- and alt-infused tracks to create dreamy, atmospheric music. No matter your tastes, Lenae deserves to get off your TikTok feed and into your playlists.
TikTok Track Goes Viral
Lenae entered the mainstream music discourse thanks to her track “Love Me Not” finding viral popularity on TikTok — soundtracking everything from DIY videos to your standard lovey-dovey montages. Yet, for anyone in the know, she’s been a much-loved musician since the 2016 release of her first EP, Moon Shoes. 2022 saw the release of her first full-length album, HYPNOS, which earned critical acclaim for its intricate production and her signature mesmerizing vocals. Since then, she’s found fans in everyone from SZA — who cited Bird’s Eye as one of her favorite albums of 2024 — to Childish Gambino and RexOrange County — who both have features on her latest album.
Ravyn Lenae’s Journey: From Moon Shoes to Today
Born and raised in Chicago, Ravyn Lenae Washington discovered her passion for music early on. She attended theChicago High School for the Arts, where she honed her vocal skills and experimented with different musical styles. Her breakthrough came with the release of her 2015 EP Moon Shoes, which brought her ethereal sound to the world and garnered attention from both critics and listeners. Shortly after, she signed with Atlantic Records, and she’s been carving a space for herself ever since.
Transforming Influences Into A Unique Sound
In an era where genre is increasingly fluid, Lenae has carved a niche for herself, fusing her R&B with everything from neo-soul and electronica to alternative and psychedelic influences. The result is a sound that feels fresh without completely shirking the influences of the greats who came before. Compared to other R&B powerhouses, Lenae’s vocals are often soft and subdued — but no less expressive — drawing comparisons to artists like Erykah Badu, Corinne Bailey Rae, and Solange. She has cited OutKast and Erykah Badu as some of her biggest inspirations, and while their influences are notable in her work, she blends them with other genres and production techniques to break out of the standard R&B mold. This is in part thanks to her frequent collaborations with producer Steve Lacy, who has helped infuse indie and alternative vibes into her tracks to create a distinctive sound that appeals to a wide range of listeners.
Ravyn Lenae’s Must-Listen Albums and Songs
Lenae’s discography showcases her evolution as an artist. Before releasing a full-length album, Lenae released multiple EPs, each showcasing her honeyed vocals and versatility as an artist. She introduced her dreamy sound with MoonShoes (2016), featuring standout track "Free Room," before refining her vision in Midnight Moonlight (2017), which included the funky, vibey track, “Spice.” Her 2018 project Crush — produced by Steve Lacy — solidified her abilities as a genre-blurring R&B artist with tracks like “Sticky,” and “Computer Luv.” 2022 saw the release of her first full-length album, HYPNOS, which featured amore cohesive, fully-realized artistic vision. With highlights like "SkinTight" and "M.I.A.", critics praised the album for its innovative production and cohesive storytelling. Since then, she’s released her much-loved album Bird’s Eye, proving that viral success is just a small sliver of what she’s capable of as an artist.
Why Ravyn Lenae Is the Future of R&B
With her honeyed vocals, genre-blurring production, and immersive storytelling, Lenae has it all. Her ability to evolve while staying true to her artistic roots makes her a standout voice in contemporary R&B and beyond, creating fresh sounds for listeners who jump seamlessly from genre to genre. If Bird’s Eye is any indication, she’s only getting started.
