By T. Cearnal
Richmond, Virginia
We met up with singer/songwriter Ronnie Luxe and her manager Torren Shanae at the newly opened Seasons Restaurant in Shockoe, where we discussed a variety of topics. From love to astrology to legacy and where Richmond compares to big cities on the music scene, we delved into her debut album Hermit—the perfect moody background soundtrack to the chilly, rainy Saturday after Valentine’s Day night.
Folks, still eager to get out of the house, arrived under umbrellas and cute hats. Ronnie herself rocked a fly multicolored bucket hat.
You know where I got this? It’s Fashion. Metro Fashion on Mechanicsville Turnpike.
To which Torren replied, Someone just asked who is keeping It’s Fashion open? And it’s you!!
Her energy was instantly infectious and relatable—the best way to describe Hermit.
It’s a girl’s album! Torren proclaimed.
Over cocktails, we got the opportunity to know Veronica and how Ronnie Luxe came to be.
When I was a kid, I wanted to be a singer. I wanted to be a songwriter, and I wanted to be a hairstylist, and it’s like, damn, I’m an adult now, and it’s actually happening.
Born and raised on the East End of Henrico, Ronnie, the self-proclaimed suburban girl whose father was a gospel singer, always felt drawn to music and creating.
I think I always had it in me, but it took time. Growing up in the church, I knew what it felt like to put myself out there, but I wasn’t really trying to put myself out there.
Like most artists, pain or love is usually the spark that brings their best work to life.
For Ronnie, that moment came while attending Old Dominion University with fellow Richmond songstress ShaeLaSoul.
Me and Shae got a song together. But she won’t put it out!
She continued, I guess I had that moment when I was in college. I was in love with this dude—we were together for three years. He was an audio engineer, and I used to sit in on his sessions while he was recording other artists. He knew I could sing, but I wasn’t doing anything with it. Back then, we were all just friends, hanging out. I don’t even remember how it started, but one day I got on a track. It was called “Waffle House Trips.”
Torren wasn’t surprised Ronnie’s first recording paid homage to food.
Ronnie smiled, Which is wild ‘cause that’s my favorite restaurant.
She continued, I wasn’t even thinking about it seriously. I was just doing little features, playing around. Then, once me and dude started dating, I got more comfortable in the studio. He recorded out of his bedroom—had the mic in the closet, like everybody starting out. He’d have me sing, play around with beats, and I was always just there in the process. One day, I was like, You know what? Fuck it, I’m gonna make my own shit.
And she did just that.
After dropping her first songs around 2016, Ronnie moved back to Richmond and found love again… in music.
That’s when my baby daddy—who was my weed man at the time—got me back into recording. She burst into laughter. He was an audio engineer too, so he ended up doing my first EP. It’s wild how I always end up around dudes who do music.
Torren echoed her statement. That’s alignment right there. You were meant to be in it.
Finding love again in life and in recording gave way to Ronnie’s first EP, Rabbit Hole—a soulfully sweet introduction to the range Ronnie Luxe has as a songwriter.
Even when I wasn’t looking for it, it just kept happening. I recorded my first EP in my apartment, walking around, writing it in like a week. Just me, some beats off YouTube, and my thoughts.
Her return home also allowed her to link up with other artists, lending her voice to a few features. That’s when she was introduced to another hometown artist, Troy.
I remember the first time I met Troy, he was living in that house over in Church Hill… I feel like we’d been trying to connect creatively for a minute before it finally happened. Timing is weird like that.
Torren remembered, Once we heard her, though, it was like—this is it. Ideas just started flying. Her voice had that rap-hook energy.
Me and Troy just had, like, this, like, chemistry or whatever. His music is dead-ass sweet. He was showing me old videos from like 2019 the other night, and I’m just like, you’ve always been sweet! Troy is probably my favorite rapper right now.
By the time we asked about the inspiration behind Hermit, Ronnie exhaled.
Whew. Life! I had just broken up with my dude last year, and that was the big inspiration. But also, I was thinking about the idea of being a hermit—like, I’m a Cancer, I’m naturally in my shell. I’m also really into astrology and human design. I looked up my human design and—get this—my ex? His profile was literally called “The Hermit.” I had already come up with the album name before I even saw that. It was like the universe was just confirming everything.
Ronnie’s eyes widened with wonder.
Listen, we get freaked out about stuff because we grew up in church, we get indoctrinated and stuff… It’s a lot of power in it when you learn how to use it the right way. Like, it’s really a tool to help you understand how to be the highest version of who you’re supposed to be, but niggas don’t want you to be your highest self, so they’ll tell you, You don’t need to be learning astrology. That’s demonic. Or, You don’t need to be talking to mediums. You know what I’m saying? It’s like—you can do whatever you want. If it’s gonna help you understand yourself and other people better, then why not? Because if you know too much about yourself, nobody can control you.
Ronnie is all of us.
When the conversation shifted to the Richmond music scene, she and Torren agreed—there aren’t enough platforms for underground artists to shine.
We need more spaces like this [The Richmond Seen]. More people actually doing the groundwork—not just paying attention when an artist is already blowing up.
She continued, Richmond has resources, but they’re limited. If you’re not from the hood, or you don’t have a whole Gilpin Court behind you, it’s harder.
When asked what’s next, she said, More music, of course. I’m working on a series of blues tapes with Fan Ran. He’s such a dope producer. I’m also taking my time with Hermit—letting it breathe, making sure I give it the visuals and content it deserves.
Her long-term goals?
Freedom and making music. I don’t need to be a millionaire, but I wanna live off my art. I wanna be that person who can pour into my community, open a women’s shelter, create something lasting. That’s the goal—legacy. My legacy is so important to me.
You can listen to Hermit on all DSPs. Also, here’s an exclusive from Ronnie’s Tiny Desk Submission, powered by freshPress.
