Ravyn Lenae Says If You’re Not Singing Along With “American Boy” in the Tour Van, You Just Might Be a Serial Killer
In the first installment of our series Tour Soundtrack, the R&B artist talks about playing Estelle, Labi Siffre, Solange, and more while she’s on the road.
Tour Soundtrack is an interview series where artists talk about what they’re listening to as they travel from city to city, show to show.
Earlier this month, two hours before ethereal R&B singer Ravyn Lenae is set to take the stage at Manhattan’s Webster Hall, the line is already snaked around the block, up an avenue, and over to the next street. Every single person queued up is beautifully appointed and fully decked-out—just impeccable fashion, like they’re going to a very cool Zoomer prom, all hair bows and micro-minis and glamorous knee-high boots.
When I enter the venue to talk with Lenae, who’s wearing her own miniskirt and slouchy thigh-high boots, she and her two-piece band are soundchecking in front of a handful of her most dedicated fans. They stand rapt as Lenae’s voice floats to the high heavens (or at least the ornate ceiling) on “Love Is Blind,” from her recent album, Bird’s Eye. Then I join her backstage, where her ebullient mom, Angie, is perched on a black leather sofa. Lenae’s makeup artist begins tending to the singer’s brows (they end up snatched), before Lenae changes into a Luar halter dress for the show.
The Chicago artist began releasing music in 2015, when she was 16, and spent the latter part of her teen years on the road with stars like SZA and Noname. Since the 2022 release of her first full-length album, Hypnos, which showcased her phenomenally unpressed voice over unconventional synth squelches, Lenae’s stature has only grown, landing her headlining tours and coveted festival spots. Bird’s Eye ramps up the galactic specter of her Hypnos sound while flirting with elements of classic soul, pop, and folk. She’s an old soul with a vocal surety that doesn’t require theatrics.
In the makeup chair, Lenae scrolls through her phone for the songs she’s been bumping in the Sprinter van and reflects on her audience. “My fans always look, like, moisturized,” she says sagely, before giving us all some good advice for keeping it cute in the chaos of road life.
Here are five songs that she’s currently listening to as she continues her trek through America and Europe.
Labi Siffre: “Bless the Telephone” (1971)
Ravyn Lenae: I love this song, and it’s the most perfect thing to listen to on tour, because it reminds me of the value of a phone call or a FaceTime with loved ones when you’re away from them. Whenever I’m missing my mom or my family or my boyfriend, it just reminds me I could just call them, and we could feel like we’re in the same room for a second, at least. My mom and my sister have come out to all the dates on this tour so far, so that makes it feel a little more homey.
Angie (Ravyn’s mom): When she was younger, I had to travel with her all the time. And then on her last tour, she had a team, she was of age, and I think we both took for granted that she’s good. Then she called and said, “I’m lonely.” [laughs] So it’s just trying to be intentional about forecasting your emotional needs and understanding what those are. You have everything else, you know; makeup, clothing, tour manager. You have all those things, but what about your heart?
Laila!: “Flyer Than You” (2024)
Ravyn: She’s so fun. I love her new album. There’s something exciting about seeing someone so young do everything themselves.
When you’re listening to other peoples’ music, are there any particular qualities you’re looking for?
The first thing I ask is: What is the feeling? What are they trying to emote, and do I connect with it? Do I feel it? They don’t have to be the best vocalists or writers in the world, but something about the feeling has to come across and be believable.
That’s a major factor for my own music, too. When I’m writing or even with the production, I have to connect with it, and I have to feel like this is a story or a feeling I could attach myself to. If not, I usually know within like the first 20 minutes of working on something—like, Let’s move on. But whenever you feel those butterflies—it’s like matchmaking with music and with producers and with songs. So when things fit and you feel it happening, it’s like, Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh–this is something I can see myself stepping into. I have to be able to wear it.
Little Dragon: “Sunshine” (2014)
This just makes me feel good whenever I maybe didn’t eat the best the day before, and I’m feeling drained. It is my pick-me-up. It gives me energy. It makes me excited about the day, and for the next show.
Estelle: “American Boy” (ft. Kanye West) (2008)
Everybody definitely sang along to this in the van yesterday. If you not singing along to this song, I think you a serial killer.
Do you ever worry about preserving your voice on tour?
I feel like I do a minimal amount of singing offstage. My speaking voice is not too loud. I don’t put too much thought into it—though I probably should. I’m just trying to get sleep when I can, trying to eat well, and think about my body. With each tour, I’ve tried to consider my body a little bit more. We forget that this is our vehicle, our vessel, and if we want it to move and do what we’re telling it to do, we gotta put something into it that feels like fuel.
Solange: “Losing You” (2012)
This is just an all-time favorite. It transports me back to middle school, early high school, when I didn’t really have any care in the world except for what I was putting on, maybe hanging out with friends, riding my bike—simple, simple times.
