Ravyn Lenae Re-Emerges to Talk ‘Blue Island’ Fallout, Tour Postponement & Grammys: ‘I Care If People Understand Me’

Ravyn Lenae says the intense discussion around her album *Blue Island* and its reception left her feeling exposed and made her pause from sharing herself publicly. She wants listeners to understand her perspective, but says growing visibility has taught her that she cannot control the impressions people form of her or keep every conversation centred on her music.

The album, released on 7 August through Atlantic Records, earned strong reviews but did not enter a Billboard chart, and none of its four advance singles reached the Hot 100. That contrasted with the success of “Love Me Not”, which reached No. 5 on the Hot 100, passed one billion official US on-demand streams and helped *Bird’s Eye* reach the Billboard 200 at No. 139. Lenae says the hit raised her expectations for *Blue Island*; she is now revisiting the album with pride, including “Babygirl” and “Potential”.