Pampered, Polished, and Powerful: Ari Lennox Today

Ari Lennox sat down with Justin Credible on Power 106’s Liftoff Show, bringing warmth, insight, and excitement about her music and the personal growth behind it. Fresh off the release of her single “Soft Girl Era,” Lennox beamed with pride and a sense of readiness as she talked through the creative process, the meaning behind her new sound, and what fans can expect from her upcoming project.

“I’m feeling really good, really happy,” she said early in the interview. “Very proud of my music and my team… I just wanted the women and everyone to have a beautiful bop for the spring and the summer.” That upbeat, empowering energy pulses through “Soft Girl Era,” a track she describes as a declaration of rest, softness, and balance after years of hustle.

In discussing the song’s theme, Lennox spoke candidly about wanting to slow down. “I want to park the pickup truck and leave it in the driveway for a bit,” she joked. “I do everything—I’m this independent woman taking care of my family—and it’s just nice to embrace help, to be pampered.”

The track, produced by Jermaine Dupri and featuring songwriting from an all-star cast including Bryan-Michael Cox, Ant Clemons, and Gabby, reflects Lennox’s continued evolution as an artist. She called working with Dupri “magical,” admitting that while it was initially intimidating to be in the studio with such a legend, their chemistry helped create something special. “Over time I’m just able to be myself… and with him, it’s also about letting go and letting him lead in that way.”

Lennox highlighted how her expectations for the sound of the album shifted in the studio, recalling how she initially approached Dupri saying she wanted to make a Motown-style project. “That was kind of not Motown at all,” she laughed. “But in hindsight, it was everything I needed… there’s still elements of Motown, but it was the perfect foundation and glue for the album.”

In addition to “Soft Girl Era,” Lennox teased another record from the album titled “Vacancy,” a sultry track featuring live saxophone from Cosine. While no release date has been set, she’s aiming to drop the project within the next two months, ideally giving fans enough time to sit with the music before her planned fall tour. “I want it to marinate,” she explained. “I don’t want people to have to learn the songs in two weeks and then we’re on tour.”

The conversation took a reflective turn as Lennox shared her musical roots, tracing her passion back to age four. “I was always making songs,” she said, recalling childhood moments under her grandmother’s porch writing lyrics. A pivotal memory was performing Mariah Carey’s “Take a Look at Me Now” in a talent show, despite stage fright. “I was so nervous, so my eyes were closed,” she laughed. “But that’s how I knew my passion would always supersede any shade I ever felt from the audience.”

That early confidence was rooted in an appreciation of her own voice. “I just like how I sound,” she said simply. “It’s a blessing.”

Lennox also gave flowers to her debut album Shea Butter Baby, a project that still holds a special place in her heart. “It felt so easy to create,” she said, crediting Dreamville, Elite, and J. Cole for the smooth process. “It was just a great time in my life. I had just got signed, just had a little bit of money, and I was experiencing all these new things.”

Tracks like “Whipped Cream” became emotional touchstones, initially written about heartbreak and later evolving into broader reflections on loss. “It’s amazing how songs can manifest or turn into other things,” she said. “I wrote the whole thing. That was my baby.”

Though Lennox is embracing collaboration more fully on this new album, she’s still deeply involved in her artistry. “I don’t need to have full control ever again,” she said. “I love living in my soft life and embracing working with others.”

As she discussed the upcoming project, Lennox emphasized her vocal growth and sonic experimentation. “There’s just a lot of singing. I’m really taking it there,” she said, calling out records like “Drama Queen,” which opens the album, and “Horoscope,” where she playfully takes aim at various zodiac signs. “Everything is soul,” she said, “but I’ve taken it to another level.”

That level-up includes work with producer Tricky Stewart and vocal producer Felly, who pushed her to new heights. “It’s a more polished R&B feel,” she explained. “Clean, just perfect… but we still have the meat and potatoes.”

Beyond music, Lennox gave fans a glimpse into her current state of mind and self-care practices. Her recent birthday trip to Miami doubled as a recharge. “I got pampered. Feels wonderful in your soft girl era,” she said, adding that the city’s tropical energy felt like home.

In the studio, she keeps the vibes right with a steady supply of snacks—sour patches, peppermint patties, and other nostalgic candies. “It has to be a fresh box,” she emphasized, laughing with Justin Credible about the specifics of her sweet tooth.

Touching on mental health, Lennox kept it real about needing breaks from social media and the pressure that can come with sharing art online. “If you like it, that’s all that matters,” she said when asked what advice she’d give to aspiring artists. “Some things are for you, and some things maybe aren’t for everyone else, but that doesn’t mean you have to take it down.”

She admitted she still deals with doubt and vulnerability, but chooses to trust the space she was in when she created her music. “It was just a moment,” she said. “You’ve got to be conscious of your intake.”

As the conversation wound down, Lennox named some of her favorite vocalists, paying homage to legends like Minnie Riperton, Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, D’Angelo, and Deborah Cox—whose record “We Can’t Be Friends” recently hit her in a nostalgic moment on a road trip. “It sounds like an orchestra was involved,” she said. “It’s a magical record.”

That sense of magic is something Lennox is carrying into her new chapter—one defined by softness, self-assurance, and soulful elevation. “Soft Girl Era” is more than a song; it’s a mantra, a mood, and a reminder that embracing vulnerability can be just as powerful as standing tall.