When Ari Lennox dropped her debut album Shea Butter Baby in 2019, she didn’t just arrive—she oiled up, glowed up, and claimed her space. Blending old-school soul with new-school sass, Ari became the voice of women who are healing, horny, heartbroken, and hilarious—sometimes all at once. Now, with her BET Awards 2025 nomination for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, she’s not just one of R&B’s leading ladies—she’s a culture-defining artist with range, rawness, and real-life relatability.

From the moment “Whipped Cream” hit SoundCloud, Ari had us hooked. The raspy vocals. The casual confessionals. The way she said “n****s be stressing me” like it was both a cry for help and a lullaby? Instant classic.

With Shea Butter Baby, she gave us an R&B album that felt like a deep conditioning treatment for your soul. Tracks like “New Apartment” and “BMO” weren’t just bops—they were journal entries turned into groove-heavy anthems. She wasn’t afraid to be awkward, anxious, or out-of-pocket. She just was.

And we loved her for it.

One of Ari’s strongest weapons is her voice—an earthy, elastic, powerhouse instrument that never needs studio fluff. Whether she’s riffing onstage or stripping down a ballad, the girl can sang. And while R&B has no shortage of talent, very few artists today deliver live vocals with the same warmth and control.

She’s got Aretha roots and Erykah edges—but Ari’s voice is uniquely her own. It’s the kind of voice that can sing you to sleep or cuss you out. And it’s exactly what makes her music stick.

In 2022, Ari released age/sex/location—an elevated, sexier, more self-assured follow-up that proved she wasn’t just a one-album wonder. It was grown woman music. A little more restrained. A little more refined. But still very Ari.

“Pressure” became her first Billboard Hot 100 hit—a perfect mix of vintage grooves and modern flirtation. “Hoodie” gave us slow-burning sensuality. And “Blocking You” showed she could still read a man like a tabloid and make it sound beautiful.

She also dropped a surprise EP, Away Message, around the same time, just to show the girls she had range. From high runs to low-key flexes, Ari was everywhere without oversaturating the market.

Ari Lennox isn’t just beloved for her music—she’s beloved for her mouth. Whether she’s tweeting, going live, or dragging herself mid-interview, Ari is hilariously honest. She’ll talk about bad dates, gut health, beauty standards, and therapy all in one scroll.

She’s real, and in an era of image-polished PR bots, that’s refreshing as hell.

Her transparency, even when it gets messy, keeps her deeply connected to her fan base. We don’t just listen to Ari—we feel like we know her. And that intimacy comes through in her music.

Ari has had several unforgettable BET Awards performances over the years. From belting out “Shea Butter Baby” with J. Cole to dripping in green silk for “Pressure,” she brings class and chaos to every stage in the best way possible.

She also reps for the awkward Black girls, the late bloomers, and the ones still figuring it out. There’s no ego. No pretense. Just vibes and vulnerability. And that makes her one of the most important R&B artists we’ve got.

Ari Lennox took over R&B not by being perfect—but by being herself. She sings with soul, lives out loud, and proves that unfiltered femininity is not only powerful—it’s necessary. Her Best Female R&B/Pop Artist nomination at the BET Awards 2025 is a reminder that sometimes, your biggest strength is simply showing up, flaws and all.

Don’t miss Ari Lennox and more R&B magic at the BET Awards 2025, airing live Monday, June 9 at 8PM ET/PT on BET.