Ravyn Lenae loves love. “I think love is the core of everything when you really break it all down,” she says. Love, this essential part of being human, shapes every connection, and it’s a feeling she channels into her creative process and her music. Working in the studio has become an experience the singer finds grounding, a therapeutic exercise while her blossoming career creates a busy schedule. The singer also prioritizes her own judgement. “I think it’s in my nature to push back. I’m an Aquarius. My life motto is to reject things that don’t feel right and reject any loss of autonomy,” she says. Her work is uniquely personal and evades categorizations. Instead, she experiments with sounds and styles, and stays curious. On some tracks she takes on a pop persona, similar vibe to Remi Wolf, Solange, and Addison Rae. In others, Lenae possesses the emotive vocals and lyricism of Olivia Dean, an artist she admires. 

She furthers her artistic vision and development of her aesthetic with visuals. Her music videos take on the look of ‘80s and ‘90s MTV. “Maybe the makeup isn’t as glamorous or polished, instead feeling lived in or a little undone. My hair feels a little wild. I like combining elements that feel pop and polished while also breaking them down,” she says. Her career has been a continuous commitment to being herself. Rather than following trends or succumbing to critique, Lenae trusts her vision and process of exploration. Belief in herself and hard work have driven her career into the spotlight. Lenae signed with Atlantic Records in 2016 and has been writing and releasing music at a steady pace since. The 27-year-old broke into the mainstream with her 2024 hit “Love Me Not,” a moment that “was everything to me,” she says. She’s since collaborated with artists like Steve Lacy and Kaytranada, opening for SZA and Noname. 

The next journey Lenae takes is to Blue Island, the name of her new album, released August 7. She describes the imaginary destination of Blue Island as a place where genuineness and being yourself is key. Lenae recommends visitors to Blue Island to bring not only authenticity, but an eyeliner, favorite necklace, best friend, or whatever makes them feel most themselves. The message of the album centers on identity–Lenae sees it specifically as “a proclamation and a rejection of the identities people have put on me,” she says. Blue Island serves as the singer’s reclamation and redefinition, emphasizing the importance of being boldly yourself without apologies.

Photography Gabriel Perez Silva

Fashion Gorge Villalpando

Makeup Leah Darcy (A-Frame Agency) using YSL Beauty

Hair Virginie Pineda (The Visionaries) using GHD Hair & K18

Casting Kev Ponce

Fashion Market Editor Gabby Buchan

Production Cynthia Hadden (Lyric Productions)

Photo Assistants Leila Keftaro & Victor-Gabriel Hofer

Styling Assistants Juan Vega & Sophie Saunders

Makeup Assistant Reina Zuniga

Location Smashbox Studios