West Pullman’s own Ravyn Lenae came home to a queen’s welcome when she serenaded a sold-out crowd of wall-to-wall Black and brown faces at the Vic Theatre this past weekend. The Chicago songstress returned to her roots by inviting around 1,000 fans to rock out to songs from her new album Bird’s Eye.
She had been working for 10 years to get where she is now: an eclectic, genre-crossing artist whose current album has features with Ty Dolla $ign and Childish Gambino. Saturday’s concert was practically her Michael Jordan championship moment.
“Whenever I play Chicago, I instantly think about where I started and how Chicago has really supported me and stuck behind me in the beginning,” Ravyn told The TRiiBE after the show, whose set list included hits from albums Hypnos [2022] and Moon Shoes [2019].
“I saw someone [in the audience] wearing my first T-shirt ever and I’m like, ‘That’s really a testimony to how long, how hard my city has been going for me and I’m so appreciative that people still show up, they still buy tickets, they still show me love.’ I just feel grateful and honored every time,” she added.
In an interview with The TRiiBE, Ravyn talked about her backstage rituals. This time it was an intimate affair as she decided to only have her mom and sisters with her. And maybe a good candle to calm the nerves.
“I usually have a candle or two going that just calms me down, gets me a little centered,” Ravyn said. “And I usually listen to some music while I’m doing my makeup, my hair.”
“For Chicago [shows], my mom is usually in the room and my sister. We may be talking and laughing, just those normal things that gets me wound down and centered for the show. For that one, I kept it super mild. I usually have more people backstage for the show, but for this one I knew I just wanted my mom and my sisters to be back there with me,” she continued.
The boundaries are important, otherwise the whole city would be back there.
“There’s a chaotic aspect to it too because I know it’s Chicago,” she explained. “There are a lot of people coming — like my family — so they’re calling my mom, trying to figure out how to get in. I like that because it distracts me from my nerves or my anxiety from getting into it ‘cause I get very nervous about my Chicago shows. I think it’s because being home and knowing that people have seen me and believed in me here from the beginning so there’s this amount of pressure that naturally comes with it,”
She talked quite a bit about her stage presence and the intensity of the Chicago crowd. By the time she reached the midpoint in her set, she was greeted with thunderous applause and cheers so loud and spirited, it was almost deafening. It flustered her.
“I don’t know what I was expecting but that moment shocked me (laughs),” she said. “It felt really good to feel the energy in the room and to see familiar faces in the crowd. My hometown shows are always some of my favorites but this one was special for sure.”
Fans couldn’t agree more.
“I feel like Chicago is in full support behind Ravyn,” said Naima Woods, a creator and a fan who has been enjoying Rayvn’s music since 2022’s Hypnos. “Everyone backs up their own. It’s inspirational when you see someone who’s just like you, going to the same school just like you, working in the art programs just like you, come out and have a sold-out show in their hometown. It means a lot and it also means a lot to be here, to be a part of history and just supporting Chicago arts entirely because we all start from somewhere.”
Ravyn ended the set by sharing some wisdom with fans.
“I want to encourage you all to stay empowered, stay honest with yourself,” Ravyn told the crowd. ”Don’t get scared, don’t get fearful about what tomorrow may be. I know we’re worried about a lot, but I’m going to tell you: live for right now, don’t worry.”
The TRiiBE exclusively talked with Ravyn Lenae about genre hopping, the experience of performing at home, collaborations on her new album and the making of her sentimental single “One Wish.”
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
The TRiiBE: Who are your influences for your live shows? When I saw you on stage I saw a bit of Chaka Khan in you.
Ravyn Lenae: That’s what my mom says (laughs). I definitely study the greats. I love Chaka, Tina Turner…but then there’s an aspect to it that I like to bring — obviously my music is rooted in R&B and Soul and I grew up listening to that. Vocally, I’m very inspired by Janet [Jackson], Brandy, Denise Williams. Yeah, those are my big three (laughs). I just like to merge those worlds together and I really study the Black women that came before me and what they brought to their live shows and their music.
How do you feel about the growth between your very first performance in Chicago up to right now?
I feel like I’ve evolved so much as a person, as a woman and as an artist in those years. Starting out at 15 and now I’m 25, there’s a lot that happens in between those ages. There’s been an exponential growth in my comfortability on stage. [Before], I felt that I had to overcompensate on stage or be moving the entire time. I knew with this album and this tour I wanted to find comfort in those still moments in those shows. Those moments where the mic is on the stage and I’m just standing there really singing the words and absorbing myself in the moment. I think there’s been a huge growth in my confidence and letting my music speak live.
Your album includes R&B, alternative pop and reggae rhythms. Talk about performing in various genres.
The funnest part about that is being able to put on different hats and step into different characters.That’s my favorite thing about music, being able to merge different worlds together and I think that’s made my set and my live performance more dynamic and more exciting.
What is the symbolism behind the colors of the album?
The colors really landed on more earthy tones, more browns, tans, oranges, I think that’s a testament to how grounding this album feels for me. A lot of it speaks on coming back home and getting down to the basics on the things that makes Rayvn, Rayvn.
Are you a perfectionist?
I would say I’m half and half. I’m particular about certain things with my show and my music and my career, but I do like leaving things up to chance.
Let’s talk collabs. What was your experience like working with Ty Dolla $ign?
I’ve been a fan of Ty forever. He always brings so much to his collaborations with people and I was excited about the idea of him potentially doing it. When I got the verse back [on the song “Dream Girl”], I had no notes. It was exactly what I heard in my head and he just brought a different flavor that I felt the song needed. Unfortunately, we were in different places and schedules didn’t align so we weren’t able to do it in the studio together but I’m super happy with it and hope we can collab in the future for sure.
What is it about that L.A. sound and flavor that attracts Chicago artists?
I think a part of growing as an artist and expanding your craft is really going beyond what you know and what you’re comfortable with and used to. Going to the West Coast brings out a different flavor in an artist. It’s not just LA people you’re bumping shoulders with, it’s people from all walks of life that I think can add some perspective to what you already have going on. But my favorite city in the world will always be Chicago and coming back here always gives me fresh inspiration and fresh invigoration.
Tell me about how “Candy” came together?
When I first worked on the song with DJ Dahi, it had a completely different feel to it, but [there] was not a reggae feel to it at all. But [I] remember hearing the chords and hearing what I did on the song and being like, “oooh we could really push that into that world,” and both of us referenced (sings “I’m still In love” lyric from Sean Paul’s 2002 hit “I’m Still in Love With You” featuring Sasha). I was like, I need that feeling with this, I feel like it could feel like that. And DJ Dahi loved that idea and that’s what brought it more to that reggae feel that I’m super happy with and my fans were happy to hear me do something like that too.
With Chicago having a rich Caribbean and African music culture, do you see yourself diving into Afrobeats in your future music?
I love Afrobeats! I actually took a trip to Ghana, and I did some sessions out there and I remember feeling inspired in a whole different way. The way they feel rhythm is completely different than how we approach songs. I [had] some producers in the room and some artists too, and hearing what I do over the beat versus what they do? Our brains are approaching it completely different. I think that’s so fun to be able to collaborate in that way and really bring both perspectives to the same song. I definitely see myself diving a bit deeper into it.
Talk about working with Childish Gambino for “One Wish,” which is the song about your father.
When we made the song, we had the open verse for months. We couldn’t figure out which voice I needed for the song, but I knew I needed more perspective. I had started working with Donald [a.k.a. Childish Gambino] on his last album. Then it dawned on me that it was him who I was missing on the song and DJ Dahi agreed. [Donald] heard the song. He immediately wanted to do it and the most special thing that came from working with Donald was really seeing his process and how much intention he put into whatever he does. We had several phone calls, several meetings with him asking me about my relationship with my father. I can see how much he cared about getting the story right and that made me respect him so, so much as an artist.
What did you learn about relationships from navigating the one with your father?
Mending things with my father has had a direct impact on my romantic relationship and just the way I communicate with the people in my life in general.
I read your cover story for The Fader and at the time you said your father didn’t know about your song about him. Have you all had a conversation yet?
When we had a conversation, that was the first time in print that I’d spoken about our relationship and what the song means. All of these moments, especially that one, opened up some dialogue around our relationship and touchy things that are difficult for us to talk about. We’re still going through that process and this song marks a moment in both of our lives, especially mine, where I wanted to turn over a new leaf and have some development in that place in my life.
We still struggle. I have days where I may feel triggered or may feel maybe we’re not making progress. And then there’s days where I’m so happy that we’re on these types of terms with each other.
Tell me about your musical relationship with Kaytranada.
I remember when I was 15, being on Soundcloud ripping some of his beats and making my own songs to them. Meeting him was a dream come true for me, one of my favorite souls and one of my favorite collaborators because he just has fun with music and doesn’t take it too seriously. I think there’s something about him that’s pushing the genre in a really fun and experimental way and still keeping that soulful aspect to it. [With] Chicago having a deep rooted dance history, I think it’s something we naturally connect with.
In this political, social, and even emotional climate, what does it mean to you to be a Black artist right now?
For me, I think it’s just showing up as my authentic self the best way I can. Luckily I’ve had listeners and supporters that encourage that and empower me to be able to show up as me in my music and my delivery and my approach. That is the duty, at least to me.
The post From rising star to radiant return: Ravyn Lenae serenades a sold-out crowd appeared first on The TRiiBE.
