Podcast Summary: "Love Me Not," Healing, and Growing with Ravyn Lenae
Podcast: Baby, This is Keke Palmer
Host: Keke Palmer
Guest: Ravyn Lenae
Episode Date: November 18, 2025
Overview
This episode dives deep with rising R&B star Ravyn Lenae, fresh off the virality of her single "Love Me Not." Host Keke Palmer explores the intersections of music, healing, and personal evolution as they discuss Ravyn’s journey from her Chicago roots and church choir upbringing to her breakout moments touring with top artists and releasing her latest project, Bird’s Eye. The conversation blends humor, candid self-reflection, and practical wisdom on art, identity, and navigating the music industry as a young Black woman.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Ravyn’s Musical Roots and Chicago Upbringing
[00:05-05:40]
- Ravyn shares her background: growing up on Chicago’s south side, time in the church choir, her family's musical influences, and early training in classical music.
- Quote: “Church was such a big part of my music journey...my first mentor was the pianist and music director at church.” — Ravyn [05:41]
- Discusses how her exposure to her mother's R&B favorites and father’s more experimental tastes created her eclectic sound — from Destiny’s Child and Minnie Riperton to Outkast and Pharrell.
2. Discovering Her Artistic Voice & Community
[05:40-10:00]
- Ravyn attended the Chicago High School for the Arts, committing to long days of academics and music.
- She credits her “Soundcloud era” and collaborations with artists like Smino and Monte Booker as formative.
- Safety in the male-dominated music scene came from strong community: “...just a great group of men who were around me, who protected me.” — Ravyn [09:37]
3. Early Performance Experiences & Growth
[10:04-11:44]
- Remembers her first gigs at age 15, stage fright, and the addictive adrenaline of performing.
- Touring with SZA during the “Ctrl” era was a pivotal moment, with fans from that era still following her today.
4. Viral Success with "Love Me Not" and Mainstream Breakthrough
[11:59-14:57]
- The delayed virality of "Love Me Not" (a year after its release) is unpacked.
- Quote: "It just makes me want to keep trusting what I’m doing and trusting my team…It'll reach the ears it's supposed to reach." — Ravyn [12:22]
- Navigating the balance between new mainstream interest and maintaining connection with long-time fans.
- “...the thing for me is going to be muddling all my people into one pot...That's what’s most exciting.” — Ravyn [13:38]
5. Musical Process & Collaborations
[14:57-17:46]
- Ravyn’s studio style is laid-back, contrary to expectations: “I'm actually casual...I wish I was her—I'm not her yet!” — Ravyn [15:07]
- She discusses close relationships with producers like Dahi, Monte Booker, and Steve Lacy.
- Stories of connecting with Steve Lacy via DM, instant creative chemistry, and valuing collaborative instincts.
6. Personal Themes, Healing & Family
[24:01-30:25]
- Ravyn cast her real father, with whom she’d been estranged, in her “One Wish” music video.
- Quote: “I told him about the song...it would be a good moment for us to share and for him to understand what I'm feeling.” — Ravyn [29:14]
- The music and video sparked difficult but necessary conversations, illustrating music’s power as a healing and connective force.
7. Emotional and Mental Health, Growth through Breakups
[32:33-39:50]
- Recounts feeling unmoored after a breakup post-"Crush", prompting introspection and a drive to regain agency in her life.
- Quote: “I wasn't in a place where I was open to all things and that can affect your mental, your relationships, your music...I want to take the reins.” — Ravyn [33:44]
- Discusses the importance of narrative in R&B and permission to blend sounds; reflects on finding freedom in her unique identity.
8. Industry Navigation and Building Her Team
[40:10-43:47]
- Early label interest and struggle to find the right management — highlights trust and emotional healing as key to her current team’s strength.
- Signed young to Atlantic; touches on industry transformations, especially post-pandemic and during industry re-structuring.
9. Power of Artists Owning Their Narrative
[43:47-44:55]
- Keke and Ravyn celebrate the impact of social media and personal branding for modern artists (“It’s no rules right now....people are looking for rules” — Ravyn [44:55])
- The importance of authenticity, persistence, and being in control of one’s artistic vision.
10. Melody and Creative Process
[44:58-46:16]
- Ravyn is known for her melody-writing—she describes her process as intuitive, with melodies arriving quickly and sticking.
- Quote: “Melody is everything to me...and usually the thing that sticks is the first thing I do.” — Ravyn [45:36]
11. Dream Collaborations
[46:16-47:50]
- Wishes to work with Solange, Tyler the Creator, André 3000 (“even if it’s just a little flute thing”), Olivia Rodrigo, Tyla, Doechii, and more.
- Praises artists who are distinctly themselves: “Just anybody who is themself right now, that’s what I’m into.” — Ravyn [47:44]
12. Lighthearted Moments & Games
[48:05-50:36]
- Keke and Ravyn play “Off the Hook,” a word/hook association game using their own songs, leading to lots of laughter and mutual appreciation.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Musical Versatility:
“I like to dabble in so many different puddles...The thing for me is going to be muddling all my people into one pot.”
— Ravyn Lenae [13:38] -
On Healing through Art & Family:
“If we all thought of our parents as humans...wanting to approach him with a little more understanding, I think is where I’m at in my life.”
— Ravyn Lenae, on reconnecting with her father [28:15] -
On Artistic Growth Post-Breakup:
“You get out of situations and feel so much fuller, so much closer to yourself.”
— Ravyn Lenae [38:26] -
On Black Artists & Genre:
“Black music is everything. We’re Black, so it’s going to be Black music...I had to change my perspective on what I think I bring to Black music and feel free in that.”
— Ravyn Lenae [35:34] -
On Performing at Coachella:
“I got on stage and it was packed and I was like, oh, this is a real-life transition happening for me.”
— Ravyn Lenae [21:21] -
On Melody-Writing:
“When I hear a song of anybody’s, I’m hearing melody first, and that’s what draws me in.”
— Ravyn Lenae [45:11]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:05 – Introduction to Ravyn Lenae and episode set-up
- 05:41 – Church, choir, and early mentors
- 10:22 – First stage performances, nerves, and growth
- 11:28 – Touring with SZA and building a core fanbase
- 12:22 – "Love Me Not" virality, lessons on timing and trust
- 15:07 – Studio process, favorite collaborators
- 17:46 – Working with Steve Lacy and Donald Glover
- 24:01 – Casting her real father in "One Wish" video, healing family rifts
- 32:33 – Post-breakup growth, reclaiming agency
- 35:01 – Navigating R&B, identity, and evolution
- 40:10 – Team-building, label journey
- 44:58 – Melody as core of her music-making
- 46:16 – Collaboration wish list
- 48:05 – Fun hook association game
Conclusion
This episode offers an intimate, multifaceted exploration of Ravyn Lenae’s evolution as an artist and person. Keke and Ravyn blend laughter with vulnerability, exploring everything from family dynamics and mental health to finding one’s place in genre-defying music. Listeners leave with an appreciation for Ravyn’s authenticity, her approach to healing through music, and the exciting new chapter in her career. The energy is open, affirming, and deeply honest—fitting for two dynamic Black women redefining what artistry and success look like.