Ari Lennox, Up Late | Midnight Heat 🕛 🔥

In the 25^th edition of Midnight Heat 🕛 🔥 (2023), we explore the naughty, sexy vibes behind “Up Late” by Ari Lennox.

Ah, bring on Midnight Heat 🕛 🔥! Wait – it is not usually hot at midnight! Well, it is steaming hot 🥵 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 $hi†, ya dig? These unapologetic records often raises both eyebrows and temperature alike. Woo! In the 25^th edition of Midnight Heat (2023), we explore the naughty, sexy vibes behind, 🎵 “Up Late” by 🎙 Ari Lennox. 

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“Up late again / Head on my chest, hand on my ass.” Say what, 🎙 Ari Lennox? Yeah, she said what she said, and she clearly meant it! Years prior to 🎵 “Pressure” (💿 age/sex/location), the R&B singer was singing about sexual desire without giving an F. 🎵 “Up Late” is a sensual highlight from her 2019 debut album, 💿 Shea Butter Baby.  On the fourth track, the focal point is some one-on-one, adult fun, PERIOD.  In the first verse, she asserts, honestly, “I be insane if I let you hit.” And by hit, well, she’s got a certain organ in mind…

“Up Late” 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 🎛 Nick Quinn, Masego, Kojo, Hollywood JB, and Bigg Kid.  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.  She truly sells this gem with both her elite instrument and big personality, particularly in the third verse: “How you gon’ act? / Oooh, you fuckin’ 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 questionin’ my job, nigga.” Holy shiitake mushrooms, Ari! Clearly, on 🎵 “Up Late”, Ari and her date are #getting busy 😈.

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🎙 Ari Lennox • 💿 Shea Butter Baby • 🏷 Dreamville / Interscope • 🗓 2019

Ari Lennox, “Up Late”: Midnight Heat 🕛 🔥 No. 25 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Dreamville / Interscope; Ash via Pexels; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Dorothe, Stefan Schweihofer via Pixabay]