Ari Lennox

On January 26, 2023, Ari Lennox’s A/S/L Tour stopped in Las Vegas — and unknowingly planted the seed for what would later become With Love, R&B.

The Night That Started It All

I had VIP tickets, which meant being one of the first people inside the venue. There’s something special about that quiet moment before the music fills the room. I do wish I had gotten the meet & greet, but even without that, the experience still felt personal — like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

The night opened with two rising stars who absolutely earned their place on that stage: Alex Vaughn and Jai’Len Josey. Both women commanded the room with ease and intention, proving why they deserve permanent spots in our music rotation.

I was already familiar with Alex Vaughn — her single “So Be It” had been on repeat for me — but hearing it live made it hit even harder. Jai’Len was newer to me, and by the end of her set, I was sold. “Can You Do It For Me” from her Illustrations EP pulled me in instantly, have you heard that bassline?

This night marked the birth of With Love, R&B.

When Ari Took the Stage

Ari Lennox appeared behind a sheer curtain, and when it opened, she was revealed in all her beauty — chocolate skin glistening, sparkling under the lights, radiant and fully herself. The energy in the room shifted immediately.

From the very first note, the crowd was locked in. The entire night felt alive — singing, swaying, feeling every lyric. My personal highlights were “Outside” (I’m a sucker for a strong bass line), “Up Late,” and of course, the beautifully nostalgic “Shea Butter Baby.” Songs like those don’t just play — they live in your body, in your memories.

Why This Night Mattered

Experiencing this concert so early in the year felt sacred. People love to say R&B is dead. Some still do. But I had just walked out of a concert by a newer artist making music that felt timeless — music that hit, music that stayed, music that would live in my catalog forever.

Creating With Love, R&B became my way of honoring that feeling. A space to give flowers to artists old and new, to discover voices that deserve to be heard, and to connect with other music lovers who feel music deeply the way I do.

R&B hasn’t gone anywhere. It’s evolved, just like every decade before it. And as long as people continue to create real music — music that comes from their heart — it will always reach ours.

With Heart
With Soul
With Love, R&B 💌