Ari Lennox's Tour Proves She's One Of R&B's Brightest Voices

Ari Lennox has heard for years why isn’t she one of the biggest names in R&B. The Dreamville signee has not only created songs that skate from playlist to real-life moments and interactions but crafted projects that become earworms. “New Apartment,” taken from her debut album Shea Butter Baby is all about the freedom of being able to have your own things, the ability to create your own without hearing the input of someone else. As a whole, Shea Butter Baby lives on moments of expression, in terms of sexual freedom without judgment or constraints (“Chicago Boy”, “BMO”) and autonomy. Where jokes about Target being pronounced “Targét” can linger alongside thoughts of smoking to get an ex-lover off the brain to triggers such as “Whipped Cream,” where even dessert can become bitter if it allows someone you purposefully desired to fade away arise again.

On stage, Lennox slinks around in a pink coat similar to that of peak-diva Diana Ross, is all smiles when fans tell her that they love her or if they wind up knowing far too much. “How you know?” she recently asked a fan at a recent show in Houston. “Who in my family you know to know all that?” When the lights dim and the opening notes of “Shea Butter Baby,” her 2018 single with J. Cole arrive, Lennox will tease fans with the Dreamville leaders arrival. Usually, she’ll tell fans to twerk to slow songs, City Girls, Megan Thee Stallion, Juvenile ready dance moves and they’ll awkwardly try to oblige before understanding Lennox’s playful sarcasm. Only in New York did her “Shea Butter” tease not work. Why? Because Cole was right there front and center to deliver his verse.

Catch some photos from Lennox’s stop in Houston as the Shea Butter Queen proves that she’s going to be around for quite sometime, whether live in living color or on your playlist, helping you get through whatever mood you’re in.