On October 20th, I had the opportunity to see Ravyn Lenae in the North American leg of her Bird’s Eye Tour. She performed in Dallas, Texas at The Echo Lounge & Music Hall. Ravyn has been making waves in R&B since her influential debut EP, Moon Shoes. Since then, audiences have been captivated by her infectious dance tracks. 

In order to showcase herself and her voice, Her set was very minimalistic. Dancing during every song and singing in the same quality as a studio recording, her passion for artistry was visible even in just the photographs I took.  

Arima Ederra, who is just as full of life, opened for Ravyn. In her plaid, yellow top, red leggings, and boots, Arima had the crowd clapping along during her performance of  “Message.”  A significant part of Rayvn’s setlist consisted of tracks from her new album, Bird’s Eye. The crowd had sung along to every lyric from Bird’s Eye, and cheered for every song from previous works.  

My personal favorite is "Venezuela Trains," the first track of Moon Shoes. With her distinguishable vibrato, she weaves a tale through different verses. In the climax, showcasing a masterclass in layering and production, she creates a mosaic of poetry as all the verses transition in and out of one another. There is a juxtaposition between the rhythm of the track and the lyrics, which describe a messy breakup. It’s my favorite song to listen to after a breakup or when I simply want to get lost in dance. This artistic constant has truly blossomed with her development. 

Bird's Eye is Ravyn Lenae's most raw project to date. She ushers this honesty and unadulterated truth with the album cover, which features her in a simple white tee while she washes her hair in a sink. Hair is a significant part of one's identity for many, but for Ravyn, it's her brand. Her prominent red hair is a stamp on all of her album covers, a look she has been loyal to since the 8th grade. Now, we see her through a personal and intimate lens, as indicated by the rinsing of her hair on the cover. 

Through this album, by speaking her truth, she is able to rinse through past traumas. Bird's Eye features artists like Childish Gambino, Ty Dolla $ign, and Rex Orange County, who pair perfectly with Ravyn’s heavenly voice, but the third track, "One Wish," is the most personal. Before performing "One Wish," the concert lights dimmed, and a simple stage light focused attention on a more humanized Ravyn, wearing a plain, white tank top like in the cover. Ravyn addressed the audience concerning “One Wish.” 

In "One Wish," Ravyn sifts through the hurt brought on by her father's negligence during her upbringing. She reflects on her experience at her tenth birthday party, where, despite his promises, her father was absent. She sings about refusing to wish for her father's presence while blowing out her candles, regardless of her deep desire. Her resentment overshadowed her experience, and she ultimately had to let it go in order to move forward. 

“I never-ever thought that I would speak about this publicly,” said Ravyn to attendees at the Echo Lounge. “ Little me would be very proud of big Ravyn. I thought it was important to release this part of me that felt hidden, that felt dark, that felt embarrassing.”

Ravyn prioritized her connection with fans through her music, even when both she and her father were initially scared about the song's release. She has created a space where people can unpack their baggage, break out in dance, and feel a spectrum of emotions. A crowd, many sporting her signature red hair, came together through music.