With features from Kaytranada, Steve Lacy, Smino, Foushee, & more.
Ravyn Lenae
Ravyn Lenae Is Light On Her Feet On The Groovy And Infectious ‘Xtasy’ With Kaytranada
It was four years ago that Ravyn Lenae stood out for her 2018 EP Crush. Add in a few notable collaborations with the likes of Smino (“Glass Flows”) and Noname (“Montego Bae”), and it was clear why many were excited to hear the Chicago singer’s debut album. Unfortunately, in the years that followed, that project never arrived, but finally, the wait is almost over as Lenae prepares to release her long-awaited debut Hypnos at the end of the week. Ahead of the project’s arrival, Lenae offers up another sweet single for listeners to enjoy.
Lenae’s latest drop, a groovy track titled “Xtasy,” is one that’s carried by production from Kaytranada. Together, the two make a lightweight track that’s also very infectious to the ear. One can expect the new record to be a highlight on Hypnos which Lenae took a moment to talk about in a press release.
“When you listen to the music, I hope you have a better understanding of me and even catch a better understanding of yourself,” Lenae said. She later adds, “I’ve gone through the tunnels and seen the light on the other side. I’m finding my way. I’m clearer on who I am and my power through music and lyricism. I’m pouring more into me, friendships, family, and music. Through all of that, I’m fulfilled.”
Prior to releasing “Xtasy,”Lenae previewed Hypnos with “Light Me Up,” “Skin Tight,” and “M.I.A.”
You can listen to “Xtasy” in the video above.
Hypnos is out 5/20 via Atlantic. You can stream it here.
Ravyn Lenae is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Ravyn Lenae Connects With Kaytranada For “XTASY” Single
Ravyn’s debut album, ‘Hypnos,’ arrives May 20.
Ravyn Lenae Shares Sango- & iamnobodi-Produced “MIA” Single
The Chicago songstress will release her debut album in May 2022.
Ravyn Lenae Announces Her Debut Album ‘Hypnos’ And Shares A New Single, ‘M.I.A.’
After years of catchy, dance-ready R&B singles and groovy EPs, Chicago singer Ravyn Lenae is finally releasing her debut album Hypnos. Lenae has teased Hypnos, out next month, with a series of singles, including the trippy “Light Me Up” and the Steve Lacy-assisted “Skin Tight.” Her latest, “M.I.A.,” is an ode to Miami, but also to herself.
“M.I.A is about feeling free and comfortable in your skin,” Lenae said of the song in a statement. “It’s a peek into my world – the duality of knowing the energy you bring to the world but also being confident in riding dolo.”
In addition to her new album, Lenae will also tour the US and the UK over the course of a month.
“When you listen to the music, I hope you have a better understanding of me and even catch a better understanding of yourself,” She said. “As artists, we make music as a pathway to help other people understand certain aspects of their lives. I’ve gone through the tunnels and seen the light on the other side. I’m finding my way. I’m clearer on who I am and my power through music and lyricism. I’m pouring more into me, friendships, family, and music. Through all of that, I’m fulfilled.”
Check out “M.I.A.” above, and the cover art and tour dates below.
05/26 — Seattle, WA @ Nuemos
05/28 — Berkley, CA @ Cornerstone
05/29 — Ventura, CA @ Ventura Music Hall
05/31 — Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey
06/01 — Phoenix, AZ @ Aura
06/03 — Dallas, TX @ Cambridge Room
06/05 — Atlanta, GA @ Vinyl
06/07 — Washington, D.C. @ City Winery
06/08 — Brooklyn, NY @ Prospect Park
06/10 — Boston, MA @ BMH
06/22 — Chicago, IL @ Metro
06/14 — Manchester, England @ Band on the Wall
06/15 — London, England @ Islington Assembly Hall
06/18 — Paris, France @ Badaboum
06/19 — Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Melkweg
06/20 — Berlin, Germany @ Berghain
Hypnos is out 5/20 via Atlantic. Pre-save it here.
Ravyn Lenae is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Ravyn Lenae Gets Acrobatic On The Steve Lacy-Produced ‘Light Me Up’
One of the most exciting emerging forces in modern R&B is ready to make a lasting mark. Chicago’s Ravyn Lenae is back with her second offering of 2022, and the delectable “Light Me Up” is likewise produced by Steve Lacy. Last month’s “Skin Tight” gave us a taste of what Lenae is building with the pieces of what will presumably be her debut album on Atlantic Records. Now with “Light Me Up,” she’s sharpening her skillset further.
Lenae sings sumptuously over a half-step beat as heavenly twists of her vocals layer atop each other. It’s slick beat from Lacy, but Lenae is magnetic and positively owns the track. In the Aliyah Otchere-directed video, she’s suspended on a high-hanging swing, before laying among candles with her beau as she delivers the silky hook. It’s a sexy aesthetic and Lenae is a spark.
“‘Light Me Up’ is about exploring the unknown with a new love; leaning into those tingly feelings while letting your guards down,” she said in a statement of the new song. “This song highlights the beauty of allowing someone to truly see through you.”
Watch the video for “Light Me Up” above.
Ravyn Lenae is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Ravyn Lenae Shares “Light Me Up” Single
Looks like a new project soon come from the talented songstress.
Ravyn Lenae Roars Back With The Steve Lacy Collaboration ‘Skin Tight’
Hailing from Chicago, Ravyn Lenae came up five years ago as a future R&B revelation of sorts, albeit an enigmatic one. Creating alongside some of Chi-town hip-hop’s finest like Smino and producer Monte Booker, Lenae was a core member of the Zero Fatigue crew. Her 2016 Moon Shoes EP is sublime and 2018’s Crush EP featured the breakout song “Sticky,” plus a track with The Internet’s Steve Lacy. The latter is now back on deck with Lenae on her first single in years, “Skin Tight,” and it’s pure silk from the pair.
Lacy strings the beat on a smooth guitar, as drums lay the groundwork for Lenae’s luscious coo. She shares the hook with the prodigious Lacy, but it’s Lenae and her magnetic delivery that linger fondly. She’s been an exciting emerging force for years and “Skin Tight” is released as the lead single from her debut album that will drop sometime later this year.
She shared a statement on the comeback track:
“I wanted to snap people into my world through the sonics, so they can feel how I’ve felt over the past couple of years… It has those hypnotic elements, but it’s very simple, familiar, and fresh. Thematically, it’s about not being in a relationship with somebody, but still having those physical and mental ties. It speaks to sharing kinetic energy with another person, even if time has passed and you aren’t together anymore.”
Listen to “Skin Tight” above, along with the surrealist video directed by Zongbo Jiang.