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Ari Lennox, โ€œUp Lateโ€: Midnight Heat ๐Ÿ•› ๐Ÿ”ฅ No. 25 (2023) [๐Ÿ“ท: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Dreamville / Interscope; Ash via Pexels; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Dorothe, Stefan Schweihofer via Pixabay]In the 25th edition of Midnight Heat ๐Ÿ•› ๐Ÿ”ฅ (2023), we explore the naughty, sexy vibes behind โ€œUp Lateโ€ by Ari Lennox.

Ah, bring on Midnight Heat ๐Ÿ•› ๐Ÿ”ฅ! Wait โ€“ it is not usually hot at midnight! Well, it is steaming hot ๐Ÿฅต at midnight when it comes to this naughty, innuendo and sex-laden column featuring songs intended for nighttime. Yeah, we are talking about that after dark, bedroom boom $hiโ€ , ya dig? These unapologetic records often raises both eyebrows and temperature alike. Woo! In the 25th edition of Midnight Heat (2023), we explore the naughty, sexy vibes behind, ๐ŸŽต โ€œUp Lateโ€ by ๐ŸŽ™ Ari Lennox.ย 

via GIPHY

Ari Lennox, Shea Butter Baby [๐Ÿ“ท: Dreamville / Interscope]โ€œUp late again / Head on my chest, hand on my ass.โ€ Say what, ๐ŸŽ™ Ari Lennox? Yeah, she said what she said, and she clearly meant it! Years prior to ๐ŸŽต โ€œPressureโ€ (๐Ÿ’ฟ age/sex/location), the R&B singer was singing about sexual desire without giving an F. ๐ŸŽต โ€œUp Lateโ€ is a sensual highlight from her 2019 debut album, ๐Ÿ’ฟ Shea Butter Baby.ย  On the fourth track, the focal point is some one-on-one, adult fun, PERIOD.ย  In the first verse, she asserts, honestly, โ€œI be insane if I let you hit.โ€ And by hit, well, sheโ€™s got a certain organ in mindโ€ฆ

Bitmoji Imageโ€œUp Lateโ€ is incredibly soulful from the start. This slow jam set in a minor key, which honestly, makes it that much sexier. It features Gorgeous, lush neo-soul production work by a talented team comprised of ๐ŸŽ› Nick Quinn, Masego, Kojo, Hollywood JB, and Bigg Kid.ย  Even with its old-school cues, it still sounds incredibly refreshing for the late 2010s. As epic as the backdrop is, the crowning achievement are those distinct, expressive vocals by Ari Lennox.ย  She truly sells this gem with both her elite instrument and big personality, particularly in the third verse: โ€œHow you gonโ€™ act? / Oooh, you fuckinโ€™ snack / Fifth floor, give your ass a duplicate fob, nigga / Fifth floor, devour that body like corn on the cob / Fifth floor, neighbors must be questioninโ€™ my job, nigga.โ€ Holy shiitake mushrooms, Ari! Clearly, on ๐ŸŽต โ€œUp Lateโ€, Ari and her date are #getting busy ๐Ÿ˜ˆ.

via GIPHY


๐ŸŽ™ Ari Lennox โ€ข ๐Ÿ’ฟ Shea Butter Baby โ€ข ๐Ÿท Dreamville / Interscope โ€ข ๐Ÿ—“ 2019

Ari Lennox, โ€œUp Lateโ€: Midnight Heat ๐Ÿ•› ๐Ÿ”ฅ No. 25 (2023) [๐Ÿ“ท: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Dreamville / Interscope; Ash via Pexels; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Dorothe, Stefan Schweihofer via Pixabay]

 


the musical hype

The Musical Hype (he/him) has earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music (music education and music theory/composition, respectively). A multi-instrumentalist, he plays piano, trombone, and organ among numerous other instruments. He's a certified music educator, composer, and freelance music blogger. Music and writing are two of the most important parts of his life.