Written by Taryn Finley

Photography by Nate Palmer

Dec. 16, 2022

Theres something about Ari Lennox that hits you right in the soul. Her dreamy voice melts you. Her poignant and relatable lyrics whisk you away to a not-so-distant place: all up in your feelings. Depending on the song, her words may make you want to call your ex or vow not to date these n***as til youre 43. Shes not new to this, but her raw talent combined with her down-to-earth demeanor convinces you shes true to this. And proof of that is in her gradual rise in the music game thus far.

For our interview, Lennox and her team (two managers, a publicist, a bodyguard and a photographer) are tucked in a corner booth table in an empty sushi restaurant on the second floor of the Sixty LES hotel. Lennox is reserved but inviting enough at first. You can tell this publicity tour has been a lot she had to cancel a performance due to losing her voice days prior. Shes had a week full of events surrounding her album drop, including a listening party, appearances, and podcast and radio interviews (including her first Breakfast Club interview that gave her a bit of anxiety beforehand). Despite her demanding schedule, shes happy.

I feel really good, Lennox said, taking a break from her yellowtail sashimi to give our conversation her full attention. Shes chicly dressed in a graphic tee, tan skirt, white heeled boots and some seriously dreamy waves in her 26-inch-long hair. I feel like things are happening and feel that things are moving a lot differently and smoothly. I feel blessed.