The rising R&B star opens up about her breakthrough year, her upcoming Lollapalooza debut, and the evolving style that defines her artistry.
A breakthrough moment years in the making
For Ravyn Lenae, 2025 has been a year of milestones and moments that feel like the culmination of nearly a decade’s work. The 26-year-old singer’s single “Love Me Not,” released almost a year ago, exploded internationally after a viral TikTok mashup with Solange’s cult classic “Losing You” brought it fresh attention. Her first-ever Coachella performance this past April further solidified her place in the spotlight, and now she’s gearing up for what she calls her biggest show yet: Lollapalooza, one of the country’s largest music festivals, right in her hometown of Chicago.
But this isn’t an overnight success story. Lenae has steadily built her career since her 2016 debut EP, Moon Shoes, cultivating a unique sound and vision along the way. With her second album, Bird’s Eye (2024), she ventured beyond the ethereal, airy R&B that fans first fell in love with, blending punchy basslines, acoustic guitars, and sonic experimentation that reflects the many facets of her identity. Her music invites comparison to trailblazing artists like Solange and Janet Jackson, women known for breaking genre boundaries with grace and innovation.
On stage: nerves, energy, and connection
Performing live is where Ravyn Lenae breathes new life into her music. “The performance aspect is the thing that keeps the music alive for me,” she shares. “Every time I get to perform it in a different place with different people, I have a different experience with each song.” Despite her growing comfort with the stage, TV performances still bring their own challenges. “Something about TV gets me nervous,” she admits, reflecting on her recent BET Awards appearance where her white corseted mini dress and silk sleeves complemented her ethereal aesthetic. “You feel like you have one take, one chance, and one clip that’s gonna live on forever.”
On stage, Lenae’s mental state shifts as she scans the crowd and taps into their energy. “I kind of disassociate from myself and really step into another realm,” she says. “That’s when I feel super locked in… like there’s a spiritual exchange happening between me and the crowd.” It’s this rare connection that drives her forward, fueling her performances with intensity and vulnerability.
Balancing fame, creativity, and self-care
The viral success of “Love Me Not” has brought newfound demands and opportunities. Lenae acknowledges the pressure to be “on” all the time but stresses the importance of maintaining balance. “This is literally what I’ve been working so hard for these past ten years,” she reflects. “So it’s really just adjusting my perspective and my flow, but also making sure I’m maintaining some type of balance.” Even as her schedule fills up with tours, press, and festivals, she prioritizes keeping music and self-care at the core of her life.
Lollapalooza represents a full-circle moment for Lenae, who grew up attending the festival. The excitement of performing on such a massive stage in her hometown is coupled with a sense of responsibility. “There’s definitely this pressure,” she says, “but also so much excitement around that entire week of doing a takeover at home.” From vinyl signings to pop-up events and reconnecting with students at Chicago High School for the Arts, Lenae plans to embrace this week as a celebration of her roots and a milestone in her career.
Rooted in Chicago’s creative spirit
Chicago’s rich artistic landscape deeply influences Lenae’s music and identity. “There’s so much creativity bursting at the seams in all avenues—music, film, food, fashion,” she explains. “What’s unique to Chicago is this huge interest in being different and going against the current. We pride ourselves in that.” This spirit of innovation and authenticity shines through in Lenae’s genre-blending sound and her commitment to expressing her whole self through her work.
Family and vulnerability are recurring themes in her music, which reflect her journey toward self-acceptance and healing. Songs like “One Wish,” which explores her complicated relationship with her father, show her willingness to be open in ways she once found scary. “The older I’ve gotten, the more comfortable I’ve become in my story,” she says. “It makes the music more honest and approachable.” Including her father in the music video for “One Wish” was a meaningful full-circle moment that symbolized forgiveness and growth.
Collaborations, creativity, and future sounds
Lenae credits close creative relationships for much of her musical evolution. Working with producers like Steve Lacy and the Zero Fatigue collective has helped shape her sound. “It’s like going on a date and knowing instantly this is going to work out long-term,” she says of these partnerships. “It has to feel electric and natural.” For her upcoming projects, she’s excited to bring in new collaborators and explore fresh musical territories, embracing the angst and emotions she felt in high school as inspiration.
Her dream collaborators range widely, from André 3000 and Frank Ocean to SZA and Olivia Rodrigo. She also speaks highly of Solange, whose trailblazing approach to music has inspired Lenae and many others. While they haven’t yet discussed the viral TikTok mashup that connected their work, Lenae admires Solange’s ability to challenge conventions placed on Black women artists.
Fashion as an extension of artistry
Lenae views fashion as intertwined with her music and self-expression. Inspired by Virgil Abloh’s “three percent rule,” she uses clothing to visually represent her evolving sound and identity. Her recent album Bird’s Eye was paired with neutral, earthy tones, symbolizing a return to self. She also enjoys mixing romantic Victorian or Shakespearean styles—corsets, lace, and contrasts of hard and soft—which mirror the duality in her music.
Her signature red hair has been a defining feature for years, but Lenae is open to change. “With each year, I’m getting closer to who I really am,” she says. “I do see myself moving away from red at some point, probably going back to my natural color.” For now, she’s enjoying the fluidity and playful evolution of her look.
Looking ahead with gratitude and purpose
As she prepares for her biggest performances yet and continues working on new music, Ravyn Lenae embraces possibility with open arms. “I wake up every day thinking about my possibilities and how grateful I am,” she says. “I’m excited to see what else reveals itself and to keep being Ravyn—working hard, staying inspired, and putting out work I’m proud of.” With her fearless authenticity and boundless creativity, Ravyn Lenae is not just rising—she’s soaring higher than ever.
