Quotes from Ravyn Lenae

I think it's hard to leave a relationship that you shouldn't be in. It's a self thing and not really realizing your worth and how much you deserve in love.

I recorded my first song, 'Greetings,' and it got so much attention on SoundCloud. I was not expecting that.

It's so funny to see the evolution in my music and personal style as a whole because, for me, they all work together as art. As my music changes, I'm compelled to change my hair, clothes, or shoes. It all has to be cohesive.

While creating Moon Shoes, I had no idea that I was doing it. The experience was extremely organic, considering that I was making music spontaneously and working alongside friends. I chose to title the project 'Moon Shoes' to give listeners a sense of unearthly freedom. I believe each song moves listeners closer to the moon and personal truth.

From the beginning, I always felt artistically inclined. I always knew I wanted to be an artist of some sort, even if I didn't know what an artist was. I clung to the arts. I always watched 'High School Musical' and those type of things.

',Alive' stems from emotional growth and contentment. Before writing the song, I was swimming in a pool of hurt, guilt and spiritual discomfort. Instead of drowning, I decided to embrace these feelings and express gratitude for the lessons learned. With this new-found sense of life, I am stronger and happier than ever.

I put out my first song with no intentions of being famous.

My songwriting process is based on a formula: Color, tone, words. When I hear production, I initially identify the color that resonates with me. From there, I am able to translate the color into tone or emotion, which may depend on a number of things.

I love my hair. I think everyone should love their hair. I think there's something intimate and beautiful about someone playing in your hair.

' Shoes' is very pink and yellow, and maybe orange, very bright, whereas 'Midnight Moonlight' is purple and blue and - I don't know - gray.

'Sticky' is about reaching a point in a relationship where you both realize you guys shouldn't be dating, but you're doing it anyway just because you like to have that sense of just being able to be honest with the person and comfortable with the person. You kind of ignore all of the signs and red flags because you really want to like the person.

I don't care if it's the slow way; I just want to do it the right way.

My creative juices flow seasonally.

I think it's very easy to get lost in the idea of touring and forget that your body is not a machine and can only function if you treat it with love.

My first tattoo is a French proverb, and it says, 'Dream your life, live your dreams.'

I will say that maybe me being young, it enabled me to have a more youthful approach to making music, and a fresher approach.

I would say that the pivotal moment in singing for me was my sophomore year in high school, 'cause I always loved music but, even going into high school, I didn't know I wanted to make this my career.

My grandfather was actually a doo-wop singer in Panama. They were called The Dominos. He was the high soprano voice.

I think the biggest reward is not physical. I rather obtain things spiritually. I mean, it's so cool to be acknowledged by the public, but that's not my goal. That's not why I make music. I would do it anyway, if there was no reward.

My sophomore year at high school, I spent $300 I had earned working at After School Matters for my first studio session. For a 16-year-old to sacrifice that much money was pivotal. It spoke a lot about how serious I was.

Chicago's music scene is very inspiring. I like to think of it as a small community of friends who enjoy creating and inspiring each other.

Red has always been my color, because red stands out.

The 'Sticky' video symbolizes the merry-go-round period of love, where things aren't quite right, but you can't help sticking around each other.

A lot of people like structure, so there's definitely a risk with being an artist that a lot of people aren't really willing to take.