Ravyn Lenae’s ‘Love Me Not’: Inside the Rise of One of the Year’s Most Unexpected Hits

When producer DJ Dahi first shared the vintage instrumental for "Love Me Not," Ravyn Lenae felt an immediate creative jolt. Speaking to Variety, the R&B artist described how her mood instantly lifted, knowing she had stumbled onto something special. That initial spark ignited the track’s meteoric rise, turning it into her first major commercial success after ten years in the industry and cementing it as a defining anthem of summer 2024.

Lenae, whose 2022 debut album "Hypnos" earned widespread critical acclaim for its nuanced take on modern R&B, was already deep into recording sessions for her follow-up, "Bird's Eye," with executive producer Dahi. Known for his innovative production on Kendrick Lamar’s "To Pimp a Butterfly," Dahi brought a weathered demo to the studio—marking the first time Lenae had built a song around a pre-existing track. She reworked the second verse, composed a new bridge, and layered in live guitar and bass to make the sound unmistakably her own. Released ahead of the album in August 2024, "Love Me Not" initially gained traction slowly until a TikTok user mashed it with Solange’s 2012 hit "Losing You." That clip, part of an influencer campaign described by Atlantic Music Group COO Zach Friedman as having “exploded,” went viral, driving streams to both the original and an alternate version featuring Rex Orange County.

The track’s journey from online buzz to mainstream hit was carefully managed. Streaming services, which had championed Lenae since her early EPs, quickly added the song to flagship playlists like Spotify’s “Today’s Top Hits.” This digital push laid the groundwork for a targeted radio campaign, helping "Love Me Not" cross over to pop audiences. It eventually peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100—Lenae’s first top 10 entry—and has accumulated close to 600 million streams on Spotify. High-profile festival slots at Coachella and Lollapalooza amplified its reach, generating millions of social media impressions. As music analyst Jenna Mills observed, “In a landscape often dominated by established stars, Lenae’s rise shows how a smart blend of organic virality and strategic promotion can still break an artist wide open.”

Fueled by the single’s success, Lenae secured a new publishing agreement with Sony Music Publishing (SMP), joining a roster that includes Dahi and songwriter Sarah Aarons. SMP, recently honored as Publisher of the Year at the Music Business Association awards, is known for its artist-forward approach. “Our goal is to listen deeply and support the unique path each creator is on,” said SMP’s President of US A&R, Katie Welle. This new partnership arrives as Lenae is already sketching ideas for her next album, signaling a focus on sustained artistic evolution rather than capitalizing on short-term hype.

For Ravyn Lenae, the impact of "Love Me Not" extends far beyond chart positions. As she prepares to open for Sabrina Carpenter on tour and plans her own headlining dates, she’s energized by the wave of new listeners exploring her full body of work. “It feels like my core fans have been with me from the start,” she reflects, “but now we’re truly seeing that dedication pay off.” The song has not only unlocked new opportunities but also affirmed the value of her patient, decade-long journey—inviting a broader audience to join her as her musical story continues to unfold.