Raven Rae: Finding Healing, Hope, and Transformation Through Music and Words

Welcome to Positive Vibes, the space where we pause to breathe, reflect, and rise. Here, we celebrate stories that don’t just sound good; they feel good. And today’s guest embodies that spirit fully.

Meet Raven Rae: a voice you don’t just hear, you feel. Born and raised in Cleveland, Raven’s journey with music began in the church pews, carried through the Cleveland School of Arts and Columbia College of Chicago, and blossomed into a career that’s as soul-stirring as it is fearless.

But Raven isn’t just a singer. She’s a storyteller of the soul. Through her music and writing, she opens doors to conversations about mental health, identity, and healing, topics often left unspoken, especially in the Black community.

Her debut EP Borderline cracked open the silence around mental health. Metamorphosis reflected the sacred unfolding of self-love. Believe in Love explored softness and growth. And her most recent work, Discover Me, is all about coming home to yourself after the storm.

As if that wasn’t enough, Raven is also the author of Butterfly Language, a personal development memoir that blends her life story with actionable frameworks for transformation. It’s proof that art can heal not just the artist, but anyone who dares to listen.

From Pop Hooks to Deeper Truths

Raven admits that, early on, her writing leaned toward “surface-level pop.” But life has a way of demanding more from us. When her world began crumbling in her late teens, she turned to therapy. That raw, unfiltered chapter of her life fueled Borderline — music written not for radio play, but for survival.

“I had just started therapy. My world was falling apart, and I couldn’t function. Writing from that authentic place was the first time I wasn’t just writing love songs. I was writing my truth.”

This moment marked the beginning of a new era for Raven: music as medicine.

The Birth of Butterfly Language

Music wasn’t enough. Raven felt called to write. “I’ve always known I would write a book,” she says. But Butterfly Language came earlier than expected, a mix of memoir and personal development guide.

“I was apprehensive. I thought, ‘Shouldn’t I be working on my next album instead?’ But the calling was loud. I had to answer.”

The result was more than a memoir. It was a toolkit for transformation. Readers don’t just learn her story, they gain practical frameworks for their own healing. And of course, her music weaves throughout, creating a tapestry of words, sounds, and soul.

The Symbol of the Butterfly

For Raven, the butterfly isn’t just a metaphor, it’s a map.

“It’s a symbol of hope and transformation. But more than that, it reminds me you can break down completely and still rebuild yourself. I’ve had many cycles of metamorphosis, and I’m still evolving.”

Her wisdom is raw and refreshing: transformation isn’t a one-time event. It’s a lifelong unfolding.

Music as a Vessel for Healing

Contrary to what people assume, Raven doesn’t always write in the heat of pain. Often, the music comes years later, after she’s processed the experience.

“When I finally write about it, it’s like another cycle of release. It’s how I know I’ve truly overcome.”

Her song Vibe, written during a battle with ulcerative colitis, came from a powerful inner nudge: “Who told you it was time to stop creating?” Even in illness, her art wall and her music became lifelines back to herself.

The Power of Routine

For Raven, wellness isn’t negotiable.

“I meditate every morning before I speak to anyone. I work out, I ground myself, and I pour into me first. Everything else flows from that overflow.”

It’s a powerful reminder: self-care isn’t selfish. It’s the foundation for everything else.

Community, Identity, and Purpose

Much of Raven’s art resonates deeply with Black women and creatives. When asked what it means to hold that space, she says simply:

“It means being a vessel. Allowing God to work through me, hands off. Every challenge I’ve faced was for a reason. My role is to answer that calling.”

And she does, through music, books, art, and presence.

Words for the Caterpillar Stage

For those stuck in life’s messy “caterpillar” phase, Raven offers this:

“Next up is your chrysalis. It’s messy, it’s gooey, it’s uncomfortable. But it’s necessary. The only way out is through. Keep pushing. Keep fighting for your light.”

It’s wisdom born of lived experience, honest, raw, and deeply hopeful.

What’s Next

Raven’s journey isn’t slowing down. Recently, she released Life Theory, a song about ignoring the haters and staying true to your path. She’s also celebrating her second book release and has more music on the way.

For her, it’s not about perfection. It’s about showing up, even when it’s hard.

A Legacy of Kindness

Raven credits her grandmother, who stepped out of retirement to raise her after her mother’s passing, as her greatest example of unexpected kindness.

“She could have walked away. Instead, she chose love. That shaped who I am today.”

It’s a story that reminds us kindness doesn’t just change a life. It shapes generations.

Positive Vibes, Defined

When asked what Positive Vibes means to her, Raven doesn’t hesitate:

“The power of life is in your tongue. It can lift you up or break you down. But it’s up to you to raise your vibration.”

And if you’ve lost your voice? Raven’s advice is simple and powerful:

“Your frequency is your freedom.”

Final Thoughts

Raven Rae’s story reminds us that transformation is never tidy. It’s messy, magical, and deeply human. Through her music, her books, and her voice, she shows that growth isn’t about being loud — it’s about listening to the quiet whisper that says: Keep going.

Because sometimes the softest voices carry the strongest healing.

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