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BET Awards 2022: Ari Lennox Sets the Mood with These Sultry Tracks

The singer-songwriter earned three nominations at this year’s ceremony.

R&B and Neo-soul singer and songwriter Ari Lennox earned four nominations for her musical contributions this past year. She is up against several talented acts in the industry at the upcoming BET Awards 2022  hosted by actress Taraji P.Henson live from Los Angeles' Microsoft Theater on Sunday, June 26 at 8 p.m. EST.  The Washington D.C. native earned recognition in some of the biggest categories including "Best Female R&B/Pop Artist", "Video of the Year" for Pressure, "BET Her" for Pressure, and "BET Her" for “Unloyal” in collaboration with Summer Walker. Ahead of this ceremony check out these five sultry records from Ari Lennox guaranteed to set the mood.

  • Pressure

    Ari tapped industry’s producing veterans Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox for the sultry uptempo single “Pressure.” The track, which samples the bass line from Shirley Brown’s 1977 single “Blessed Is the Woman (With a Man Like Mine), is Ari’s highest-charting single to date.” Its accompanying music video finds the  Washington, D.C. native paying homage to the legends before her singers, Diana Ross and Donna Summer.

  • “Up Late”

    From her 2019 debut album Shea Butter Baby, “Up Late” finds the songstress detailing a late-night sexual encounter. While talking to Billboard, the singer described the track as a “neo-soul sexy sweet midnight delight.”

  • "Shea Butter Baby" Feat. J. Cole

    Ari’s signature record “Shea Butter Baby” initially made its premiere on the soundtrack of the sports film Creed II starring actor Michael B. Jordan, before being released a year later on her debut album of the same name. The song peaked at number 25 on Billboard’s US Adult R&B Songs and 44 on the R&B/Hip Hop Airplay chart.

  • BMO

    “BMO” was the third single spawned from Ari’s 2019 debut album and samples Galt MacDermot's  popular 1969 single, ”Space.” For its visual, Ari paid homage to fellow DMV native and BET Awards 2022 “Video Director of the Year” nominee Missy Elliott and 90s R&B trio Total.

  • "New Apartment"

    Ari created the ultimate anthem for anyone who knows what it feels like to finally get your own living space. In this uptempo jingle, the singer-songwriter discusses the benefits of having a place to yourself, including walking around in your birthday suit.

    Watch the BET Awards 2022 Sunday, June 26 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET.

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