Raveena Aurora

Raveena Aurora, also known mononymously as Raveena, is an American singer and songwriter.[1][2] Her debut EP, Shanti, was released independently in 2017. Her first album, Lucid, was released independently in 2019 and distributed through Empire Distribution.[3]

Raveena Aurora
Aurora performing in September 2019
Background information
Born (1994-09-30) September 30, 1994
Massachusetts, US
OriginQueens, New York City, US
GenresR&B, pop, experimental
Years active2017–present
Websiteraveenaaurora.com

Early life

Aurora was born in Massachusetts[3] and grew up in both Queens, New York and Stamford, Connecticut.[3][2] Her parents immigrated to Queens from India, after the 1984 anti-Sikh pogroms in which her maternal uncle was killed. She was raised in a traditional Sikh household.[4] She became exposed to R&B, Soul, Jazz and Folk music in middle school, which piqued her interest in music and influenced her musical style later in life.[5]

Career

Aurora started working with record producer Everett Orr in 2015. She amassed a sizable online following after the release of her first EP, Shanti, in December 2017, after graduating from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts.[6] Shanti explored themes of self-love and healing, and blended R&B, soul, and jazz music.[7] Her debut EP drew praise from Sidney Madden of NPR for her "cool delivery and chill-inducing falsetto runs" and "astute songwriting chops".[8] She directed several of her own music videos where she displayed her Indian heritage and "rich interiority of women of color like herself".[9]

In the summer of 2018, she was included in ModCloth's Say It Louder campaign, which aimed to celebrate individuality and strong female icons in music. She was featured alongside other outspoken female musicians like Lizzo, Awkwafina and Hayley Kiyoko.[10] In November 2018, she performed at Tyler, The Creator's Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival.[11]

In March 2019, Aurora co-headlined the Java Jazz Festival in Jakarta, Indonesia, with H.E.R and Toto.[12]

On May 31, 2019, she released her debut album Lucid, distributed through Empire Distribution.[13] Lyrically, she explored sensuality, healing from trauma, and spirituality; through tracks like "Stronger" and "Salt Water", she opened up about her experience as a sexual assault and abuse survivor.[14][15]Lucid was met with very positive reviews. Sidney Madden of NPR described Lucid as "comforting but nuanced, balancing cultures old and new by mashing up contemporary R&B with traditions from the South Asian diaspora".[16] In a track review for the penultimate track, "Petal", Vrinda Jagota from Pitchfork wrote: "over the course of 12 songs, her sound becomes bolder and clearer, finding strength in everything from sun showers to her mother’s resilience to her own femininity and womanhood".[17] "Lucid" was named one of the "Best Albums of 2019" by NPR.[18] Aurora's 2019 single "Stronger" was named one of the "100 Best Songs of 2019" by Noisey.[19]

Personal life

Aurora is openly bisexual.[9]

Discography

Studio albums

  • Lucid (2019)

Extended Plays

  • Shanti (2017)
  • Moonstone (2020)

References
  1. Ridner, Grant (May 31, 2019). "Raveena Moves Into The Light". Nylon. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  2. Madden, Sidney (June 5, 2019). "Make Room for Raveena". NPR. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  3. Blais-Billie, Braudie (June 14, 2019). "Rising R&B Artist Raveena On Her Stunning Debut 'Lucid'". Billboard. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  4. Hahn, Rachel (May 15, 2019). "This R&B Singer's Style Is a Colorful Tribute to Her Indian Immigrant Mama". Vogue. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  5. Blais-Billie, Braudie (October 12, 2017). "Premiere: Raveena Aurora celebrates women of color in her self-directed "Sweet Time"". i-D. Vice Media. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  6. Gomez, Jade (November 15, 2017). "Sink into your soul with Raveena's "If Only"". The Fader. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  7. Jagota, Vrinda (February 20, 2018). "Listen to R&B Singer Raveena's Warm and Gentle Ballad "I Won't Mind"". Spin. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  8. Madden, Sidney (January 9, 2018). "Meet The 2018 Slingshot Artists". NPR. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  9. Blais-Billie, Braudie (October 24, 2019). "Singer-songwriter Raveena is normalizing queer, brown love". i-D. Vice Media. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  10. Intner, Katie (August 6, 2018). "Awkwafina and Mary Lambert Star In ModCloth's New Campaign, Alongside Musician Raveena". Nylon. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  11. Tulay, Rasheed (November 14, 2018). "6 standout up-and-coming acts from this year's Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival". Earmilk. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  12. Gitomartoyo, Wening (March 6, 2019). "Java Jazz Festival 2019 wraps up after weekend of diverse acts". Jakarta Post. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  13. Ingvaldsen, Torsten (June 4, 2019). "Raveena Offers Silky Vocals & Intimate Lyricism on Debut Album 'Lucid'". Hype Beast. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  14. Eda, Yu (July 23, 2019). "5 Emerging Asian Women in Music". Complex Magazine. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  15. Daly, Rhian. "With heavenly R&B, Raveena maps out a space for healing". Crack Magazine (Issue 102). Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  16. Madden, Sidney (June 5, 2019). "Make Room For Raveena". NPR. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  17. Jagota, Vrinda (June 13, 2019). "Track Review: "Petal" by Raveena". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  18. NPR Staff (December 17, 2019). "NPR Music Staff Picks: The Best Albums Of 2019". NPR. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  19. Vice Staff (December 18, 2019). "The 100 Best Songs of 2019". Vice Media. Noisey. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
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