Ari Lennox’s new era is one of growth, relearning and self discovery. “I’m just really excited to learn who I am all over again or perhaps in a completely different way.” In news that her fans will be happy to hear, she is writing again, and it is an exciting journey. Not only is she creating music again but finds herself feeling more passionate about the process. This new era of Ari is not only sharing music she loves but loving the music as she makes it before releasing it into the world. The fear of being perceived is a battle that transcends every level, RSA got to sit and speak with Ari about navigating these emotions and more.
Authentic Artistry & Staying Grounded
There is no question that Ari Lennox moves with a style and air that is unapologetically black, and for her it is not merely about affirming her identity through her art, it is a natural second step. Whilst we often think of black artists expressing themselves authentically as an active decision they have to make in a world that often asks them to morph into a different form, Lennox is true to herself because she cannot imagine being anything or anyone other than herself. In our conversation with her she goes on to express that anyone who knows her knows it is important for her to maintain her authenticity and stay true to her roots. In fact, she goes on to explain her art allows her to be true to who she already is with a more confident persona.
Naturally, when the world sees “Ari Lennox,” they see the fame, the voice, the fashion but ultimately what keeps her connected to her humanity is a mixture of a good Sims 3 game, fresh air and a strong community. Everyone has their own version of touching grass, and for Lennox it is also about making sure the grass stays the same. As she puts it, although she is constantly evolving, change is something she needs to balance with rootedness. From road trips with her mother to New Jersey or maintaining friendships that date back into her teen years, it is important for her to keep people that genuinely love and care about her enough to also hold her accountable. The raw and honest lyrics she shares with the world begin in these smaller places where she is able to exercise her voice and in turn exercise her pen.
Finding Softness in Strength:
The New “Soft Girl Era”
In her words, when she first began collaborating with other writers she found herself getting comfortable, something akin to royal treatment; however, every experience helped her come closer to herself and realise that her authenticity depends on her individual expression. Whilst she may have refused to upgrade to Sims 4 since high school, Ari certainly continues to push into new fields and bring us into what the new “Soft Girl Era” looks like for her. As someone so candid and unfiltered she enters her soft girl era with a growth mindset that defines softness as making room for truth. For Ari, “softness is really just being more open to help”. Instead of being totally reliant on others nor totally reliant on self, her soft girl era allows for “the beauty of collaboration and people”. Boundaries, honesty, and an ability to advocate for your needs, softness, as experienced by Ari is sitting in your power whilst clarifying what you are not willing to tolerate.
Her candidness about her self-love journey is always refreshing and affirming and so we wanted to know how Ari defines beauty for herself now and her answer –trying. As she notes, sometimes it is just a matter of “waking up and trying, whether you fail or not. It’s just the courage to try and the courage to keep going.” Again, she reminds us that self-care continues to be entangled with boundaries that extend into communication. Whether you choose to reserve a negative reaction or perhaps even the boldness to choose to negatively react and protect yourself, for Ari, the definition of beauty lies in how she pours into herself. This honouring of self extends into her music as she notes “I’m just writing and wanting to put more of what I have to say into my music, putting my foot down about what I like and what I don’t like so I’m excited about trusting myself and learning to trust others as well.”
Defining Soul Music
This evolution is something she finds herself navigating even when thinking about her career. Ari shares she has questioned if she even likes her career but the passion of creating a great song and watching all the pieces fall in place maintain her spark. Thinking of her 2019 hit “Whipped Cream” she shares how songs have taken on different meanings in varying seasons and how this song in particular is one of her favorites to perform. The feeling of chills down her spine and tingling through her cheeks as she melodies her lyrics keeps her coming back to her passion. “Performing that song for people and having chills is the best feeling in the world”. “Whipped Cream” in particular, she describes to have evolved with her through seasons of grief, from people who have passed away or drifted out of her life, speaking to the spiritual and healing aspect of the song. Describing the genre of soul in 2025, Ari shares how soul today is reflective of what it has always been. “It’s pain, it’s happiness, it’s tears”. In what she describes as an everlasting element of soul, the genre maintains a deeply personal, descriptive, passionate and authentic nature that, to her, makes it “the most beautiful genre in the world” that transcends time and acts as a foundation to every other sound.
Unity Across the Diaspora
Although colonialism has stripped away many details of the relations between African Americans and Africa, as Ari reaffirms, “we’re all connected” and maintaining that unity is something that she holds with great importance. This new era is not only restricted to the US, but goes across borders and well into the continent with her recent performance in Cape Town, South Africa for the April Jazz festival. As she describes, “it was everything” and reminded her of the importance of focusing on real experiences and stepping out of the conversations that swirl on the internet. The energy, happiness and beauty of the country and its people left her on cloud nine. And whilst the environment nourishes her, her unique voice and smooth tone effortlessly gather crowds in numbers both on stage and in the small moments between those closest to her.
A Legacy of Vulnerability & Truth
Whether navigating trust, boundaries or evolution, the vulnerable expression in Ari Lennox’s music invites many, across generations and borders, to immerse themselves in her truth and see their own stories reflected, continuing the legacy of soul music. Ari Lennox not only makes music that heals the soul but that fundamentally reminds us we have one.
