As a sophomore in high school, Lenae spent $300 for a studio session that would ultimately produce her first single, "Greetings." Soon after, in 2015, she was featured on Monte Booker’s song, "Baby." Booker and Lenae along with rapper, Smino, formed the original core of the music collective, Zero Fatigue, which was brought together by Chris "Classick" Innumerable at his recording studio, Classick Studios. Lenae's first EP, Moon Shoes, was originally released as a free download in August 2015, but was later reissued by Atlantic Records and the Three Twenty Three Music Group in 2016. It drew praise from critics for her "fluid vocals and spare, poetic lyrics."
In 2016, Lenae was officially signed to Atlantic Records. She also appeared as a featured performer on Mick Jenkins' album The Healing Component and on Noname's song "Forever." She would go on to tour with and open for Noname on her Telefone Tour from January to March 2017. Lenae also performed at WBEZ's Winter Block Party alongside fellow members of the underground collective Medicine Woman: Drea Smith, Via Rosa, and Jean Deau.
She released her second EP Midnight Moonlight on March 3, 2017. Later that month, she performed at SXSW, was featured on Smino's "Glass Flows," and was listed by Rolling Stone as one of "10 New Artists You Need to Know." In the following three months, she would go on to perform at several other festivals, including Mamby on the Beach in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood and Culture Shock in Purchase, New York. Beginning in August 2017, Lenae opened for SZA on her Ctrl Tour. The tour ended in December 2017. On February 9, she released her third EP, entirely produced by Steve Lacy, titled Crush.
On February 1, 2022, she released Skin Tight with Steve Lacy, the first single of her debut album, Hypnos. Following, she released her debut album on May 20, 2022. Featuring vocals and production from Monte Booker, Steve Lacy, KAYTRANAD , Fousheé, Mereba, Smino, Sango, Luke Titus, IAMNOBODI, Phoelix and Teo Halm.
3D
Ravyn Lenae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This shit 3D, this shit 3D, this shit 3D
This shit 3D, this shit 3D, this shit 3D
This shit 3D, this shit 3D, this shit 3D
From the start, I told you keep the speed on cruisin' (cruisin')
Things are good, so baby, don't make it confusing now
At the bar, when I feel pressure, I'm just human
I'm askin' you to
Keep it light
Things are better movin' slow
Feelin' nice
let's keep it flowin' natural
Hope that I
I'm hoping I don't lead you on
'Cause I don't need a boyfriend
Keep it light (keep it light)
Things are better movin' slow
Feelin' nice (feelin' nice)
let's keep it flowin' natural
Hope that I
I'm hoping I don't lead you on
'Cause I don't need a boyfriend
Baby, are you catchin' my drift?
Thought I would show that
I can be a freak as a friend, you need to know that
no complications, I can't wait another night
This is your motivation (if you're patient) into mine, mmh
As soon as I let my guard down, it's all over (all over)
That's why I wanna take my time and get to know ya
Wanna know what it feels like to wait a while longer (feels like)
So boy, don't put that weight on my shoulders
For now you need to
Keep it light
Things are better movin' slow
Feelin' nice
let's keep it flowin' natural
Hope that I
I'm hoping I don't lead you on
'Cause I don't need a boyfriend
Keep it light (keep it light)
Things are better movin' slow
Feelin' nice (feelin' nice)
let's keep it flowin' natural
Hope that I
I'm hoping I don't lead you on
'Cause I don't need a boyfriend (boyfriend)
(Light)
keep it light like LED (LED)
UV (UV), strobe light
I'm tryna see what underneath ya robe like
But don't call me, might be with one of my hoes right
Ain't that the vibe?
You all in my comments, but I don't wanna commit
It'll be suicide if you ever posted a pic
Get to pickin' us apart on some rotisserie shit
Now I'm officially pissed
I'm in yo' city dressed up-selling
Too fresh to leave
Stay-dressed Smitty on my polo
horse might my giddy up (hello?)
Send yo' addy, girl, don't at me
I want you to come see me live
I seem so trippy, avant-gardey
I found a new drug
It's you (you, you)
The lyrics of Ravyn Lenae's song "3D" touch on themes of navigating relationships and the importance of taking things slow. The repeated line of "this shit 3D" serves as a metaphor for the complexity and multi-dimensional nature of love and attraction. The singer expresses her desire to keep things light and avoid rushing into a commitment, emphasizing the need for patience and getting to know each other before diving in. She acknowledges her own human nature and the pressures she feels, but also asserts that she doesn't necessarily need a boyfriend.
The lyrics also explore the idea of maintaining a casual sexual relationship with a friend, while avoiding complications. The singer wants her partner to understand that she values their connection and is willing to explore her own sexuality, but she wants to maintain a certain level of freedom and independence. She cautions against putting too much pressure on their relationship and urges her partner to be patient and understanding.
Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of self-awareness and a willingness to navigate relationships on the singer's own terms. The metaphor of "3D" adds depth to the song, highlighting the complexity of human connections and the importance of taking the time to truly get to know someone.
Line by Line Meaning
Uh, ooh (ooh, ooh)
Expressing excitement and anticipation
This shit 3D, this shit 3D, this shit 3D
Emphasizing the depth and multi-dimensional nature of the situation
From the start, I told you keep the speed on cruisin' (cruisin')
From the beginning, I advised you to maintain a steady pace
Things are good, so baby, don't make it confusing now
Our situation is going well, so please don't complicate it
At the bar, when I feel pressure, I'm just human
When I'm in a social setting, I can feel overwhelmed sometimes
I'm never in a rush from takin' my time
I prefer to take things slowly and not rush
I'm askin' you to
I'm requesting or inviting you to
Keep it light
Keep our interactions casual and stress-free
Things are better movin' slow
Our relationship is healthier when we take our time
Feelin' nice
Enjoying the pleasant feelings between us
let's keep it flowin' natural
Let's allow our connection to develop naturally
Hope that I
I hope that
I'm hoping I don't lead you on
I'm hoping I don't give you false expectations
'Cause I don't need a boyfriend
Because I don't want a romantic relationship right now
Baby, are you catchin' my drift?
Do you understand what I'm trying to convey?
Thought I would show that
I thought I should demonstrate
I can be a freak as a friend, you need to know that
I can be adventurous and open-minded even as a friend
no complications, I can't wait another night
I don't want any complications, I can't wait any longer
This is your motivation (if you're patient) into mine, mmh
If you're patient, this can be the motivation for us to connect intimately
As soon as I let my guard down, it's all over (all over)
Whenever I become vulnerable, it quickly ends
That's why I wanna take my time and get to know ya
That's why I want to proceed slowly and learn more about you
Wanna know what it feels like to wait a while longer (feels like)
I want to experience the anticipation of waiting a bit longer
So boy, don't put that weight on my shoulders
So please, don't burden me with unnecessary pressure
(Light)
Keep it light
keep it light like LED (LED)
Keep our interactions as light and effortless as LED lights
UV (UV), strobe light
Adding to the metaphor of keeping things light and fun like UV and strobe lights
I'm tryna see what underneath ya robe like
I'm curious about your true nature or hidden qualities
But don't call me, might be with one of my hoes right
But don't call me because I might be with someone else
Ain't that the vibe?
Isn't that the atmosphere or feeling?
You all in my comments, but I don't wanna commit
You're commenting on my actions, but I don't want to be in a committed relationship
It'll be suicide if you ever posted a pic
It would be disastrous if you were to ever share a photo of us
Get to pickin' us apart on some rotisserie shit
You would criticize and analyze our relationship mercilessly
Now I'm officially pissed
Now I'm genuinely angry
I'm in yo' city dressed up-selling
I am dressed up and looking attractive in your city
Too fresh to leave
I'm too stylish or appealing to leave
Stay-dressed Smitty on my polo
Showing off my fashionable attire, wearing Smitty on my polo shirt
horse might my giddy up (hello?)
My motivation or energy keeps me going
Send yo' addy, girl, don't at me
Give me your address, don't contact me
I want you to come see me live
I want you to experience my live performance or presence
I seem so trippy, avant-gardey
I may come across as innovative or experimental
I found a new drug
I have discovered a new source of excitement or pleasure
It's you (you, you)
You are that source of excitement or pleasure
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Hipgnosis Songs Group
Written by: Ravyn Lenae Washington, Christopher Smith Jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jaylaalexander7788
omg smino and ravyn AGAINNNNNN this can’t be
@icyxkash
LIL MONTE ON THE BEAT, YOU GOT IT ON REPEAT
RAVYN SINGING IN YA EAR, SOUNDING HELLA SWEET🔥🔥🔥
@seanmingo
AYY BRO WE OUT HERE
@icyxkash
@@seanmingo YESSIRRR
@Yea___
God her voice is so silky smooth, i can't stop listening to this
@clintonndlela8168
i’m certain monte, smino & ravyn would never miss
@stillunknown
As soon as a Monte beat starts, you know who produced it 🔥
@gesellecity8712
Everytime smino, ravyn, and monte get together to make a song The world gains a treasure
@luv4lita579
smino x ravyn collabs always eat
@chillrex4309
Monte booker on the production , sheesh