-"Austin City Limits" presents, representing soul in its purest form, Ari Lennox.

-♪ I do hate to know, know, know it ♪ ♪ Oh, you don't love me and I know now ♪ ♪ Ohhhh ♪ -♪ Break me off ♪ -♪ And gitchi gitchi yaya ♪ -♪ When the lights is out ♪ ♪ I'm summertime crushin', put that game on pause ♪ -♪ And do it how I like ♪ -♪ Nice and slow ♪ -♪ Me ♪ -♪ Break me off ♪ -♪ And gitchi gitchi yaya ♪ -♪ When the lights is off ♪ -♪ Ohhh ♪ -♪ I'm summertime crushin, put that game on pause ♪ -♪ I said gaaame ♪ ♪ Ooooh ♪ -Thank you, Austin City Limits!

-This is "Austin City Limits."

♪♪ ♪♪ -Austin City Limits, Alright, alright.

-Y'all, Austin City Limits rocks.

-One, two, three, rock!

-♪ Alright, alright, alright ♪ -Austin City Limits!

Austin, Texas.

-From the live music capital of the world, It's "Austin City Limits."

Now, an R&B singer whose emotional honesty shines through -- Ari Lennox.

♪♪ -I'm done with being the version of me that makes other people comfortable.

And for the first time in a long time, I'm not afraid of the feeling.

Tonight we mobbin'.

Welcome to the Vacancy Motel.

[ Audience cheers ] -♪ Babyyyy ♪ ♪ Oooh ♪ ♪ Hey ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Ooh ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Hey ♪ ♪ Hey ♪ ♪♪ ♪ 2 a.m.

on the 'Gram feeling ♪ -♪ Crazy ♪ -♪ Only one to call me ♪ -♪ Baby ♪ -♪ You know how I am ♪ ♪ You don't give a damn ♪ ♪ What these bitches saying ♪ ♪ You're talking so nice ♪ -♪ To me ♪ -♪ Came and empathized ♪ -♪ With me ♪ -♪ So I guess I'll have to fly to NOLA for the night ♪ ♪ Show you I'm obliged ♪ ♪ 'Cause I care for you ♪ ♪ So darling, if you want me to ♪ ♪ Cut everyone off for you ♪ ♪ This is... you put me through ♪ ♪ You know where I stay ♪ ♪ This ain't calculus, no ChatGPT ♪ ♪ Tired of you sayin' that you're missing me ♪ ♪ You know my location, mobbin' in D.C.

♪ ♪ Hit up the phone, hit up the phone ♪ ♪ Hit it up ♪ -♪ One time ♪ ♪ Hit up the phone, we grown ♪ ♪ Hit it up ♪ -♪ One time ♪ -♪ Hit up the phone, hit up the phone ♪ ♪ Hit it up ♪ -♪ One time ♪ -♪ Hey ♪ ♪ Four seasons room 808 ♪ ♪ Hey, hey, why you knocking?

♪ ♪ Your eyes got a lot to say ♪ ♪ Say did I like it?

♪ ♪ 'Cause I ♪ -♪ I care for you ♪ ♪ Darling, if you want ♪ -♪ Me to ♪ -♪ Cut everyone off ♪ -♪ For you ♪ -♪ Hey, this is... ♪ -♪ You put me through ♪ -♪ Hey, ohh ♪ ♪ Oh, you know where I be ♪ ♪ I'm no ChatGPT ♪ ♪ Tired of you sayin' that you're missing me ♪ ♪ You know my location, mobbin' in D.C.

♪ ♪ Hit up the phone, hit up the phone ♪ ♪ Hit it up ♪ -♪ One time ♪ -♪ Hit up the phone, we grown ♪ ♪ Hit it up ♪ -♪ One time ♪ -♪ Hit up the phone, hit up the phone ♪ -♪ Hit it up ♪ -♪ One time ♪ -♪ Hey ♪ ♪ Quit playing games, playing with flames ♪ ♪ Gimme that one time ♪ ♪ You know my name, number ain't changed ♪ ♪ Gimme that one time ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] What's up, Austin City Limits?

My name is Ari Lennox, and welcome to the Vacancy Motel.

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪ Hey, boy ♪ ♪ Ooh, oh ♪ -Yeah, you can turn her up too.

-♪ Ohh ♪ ♪ See, baby, welcome to my house, cold out ♪ ♪ Hot cocoa on the couch, lay you down ♪ ♪ Etta James surround with a sound ♪ ♪ Maybe you can help out, look around ♪ ♪ Got some walls that need paintin', rearrangin' ♪ ♪ See them legs on the table, kinda shaky ♪ ♪ Got some pipes that be leakin, do you see?

♪ ♪ You could stay here for the week, no leaving ♪ ♪ Ooh, baby, I want you to fill this vacancy ♪ ♪ Come through ♪ ♪ Ooh, baby ♪ ♪ I want you to move in this space with me tonight ♪ -♪ Ooh, baby ♪ -♪ I want you to fill this vacancy, come through ♪ -♪ Ooh, baby ♪ -♪ I want you to move in this space with me tonight ♪ ♪ I do tonight ♪ Can I get freaky, y'all?

Hey, hey, hey.

♪ Motion in the bathtub, fill it up ♪ ♪ Got some water on the rug, made it flood ♪ ♪ Maybe you could use your tongue like a plug ♪ ♪ Look in my eyes while I chug, know it's snug ♪ ♪ I don't care ♪ -♪ No ♪ -♪ I mean 'cause you're there with me ♪ ♪ Pull my hair, take it there ♪ ♪ It's where I wanna be ♪ ♪ Yeah, yeah ♪ ♪ Ooh, baby, I want you to ♪ -♪ Fill this vacancy ♪ -♪ Come through ♪ -♪ Ooh, baby ♪ -♪ I want you to move in this space with me tonight ♪ -♪ Ooh, baby ♪ -♪ Said I want you to ♪ -♪ Fill this vacancy ♪ -♪ Come through ♪ -♪ Ooh, baby ♪ -♪ I want you to move in this space with me tonight ♪ ♪ Hey, yeah ♪ ♪ I do ♪ -♪ Tonight ♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -Thank you.

♪♪ ♪♪ Y'all, I need to be flipped... ...and folded.

Something like a pretzel.

Let's talk about it.

♪ Ooh ♪ ♪ Ooh ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Ooh ♪ ♪ Ooh ♪ ♪ Ooh ♪ ♪ Honey, I'm stressing ♪ ♪ Tight on it, and I need a little flexing ♪ ♪ Yeah, baby, I can feel it in my hamstring ♪ ♪ Throat chakra off-kilter, could you stretch me out?

♪ ♪ Sweet taste of cinnamon ♪ ♪ It's foamin', it's risin' when you're hittin' it ♪ ♪ I splatter that batter and you're bakin' it ♪ ♪ Namaste to the way that you put it in your mouth ♪ ♪ Flip me and fold me ♪ ♪ You put it in a pretzel ♪ ♪ Hey, said love how you roll me ♪ -♪ Put it in a pretzel ♪ -♪ Hey, hey ♪ ♪ How I twist on the tip ♪ ♪ Me, oh, my, ah ♪ ♪ So flip me and fold me ♪ -♪ You put it in a pretzel ♪ -Y'all better sing.

Hey, hey.

♪ This water is a mantra ♪ ♪ Propped up, yeah, it's helping with my posture ♪ ♪ Say, "Om," when I feel I'm getting closer ♪ ♪ I'm on another level like I'm floatin' on a cloud ♪ ♪ Dripping that icing ♪ ♪ Transcendin', I'm bendin', I'm melting ♪ ♪ Different poses, feel it deeper than a balance beam ♪ ♪ I can't take it, lungin' in it like you 'bout to run a mile ♪ ♪ Flip me and fold me ♪ ♪ You put it in a pretzel ♪ ♪ Put it in a pretzel ♪ ♪ Love how you roll me ♪ -♪ You put it in a pretzel ♪ -♪ Yes you, do ♪ -♪ Twist ♪ ♪ Ooh, at the tip, me ♪ -♪ Oh, my ♪ -♪ Hey, ah ♪ ♪ So flip me and fold me ♪ -♪ You put it in a pretzel ♪ -Okay, Austin, I'm gonna need your help.

Hey, hey, hey.

♪ I say, "Om" ♪ -♪ "Om" ♪ -♪ Say, "Om" ♪ -♪ "Om" ♪ -♪ Say, "Om" ♪ -♪ "Om" ♪ -♪ Say, "Om" ♪ ♪ I say, "Om" ♪ -♪ "Om" ♪ -♪ I say, "Mmm" ♪ -♪ "Mmm" ♪ -♪ Say, "Om" ♪ -♪ "Om" ♪ -♪ Say, "Om" ♪ -♪ "Om" ♪ -♪ "Om" ♪ -♪ "Om" ♪ -♪ "Om" ♪ -♪ "Om" ♪ -♪ Say, "Om" ♪ -♪ "Om" ♪ -♪ I say, "Mmm" ♪ -♪ "Mmm" ♪ ♪ Ooh, ooh ♪ ♪ Oh, ooh ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ I keep dating these werewolves... [ Audience cheers ] ...so I'm gonna talk about it.

-♪ Shoo-wop, shoo-wop ♪ -♪ Ooh ♪ ♪ Ooh ♪ ♪ Ooh, ooh-ooh ♪ -♪ Shoo-wop, shoo-wop ♪ -♪ Oooh ♪ ♪ Hey, say straight from Hollywood scene ♪ ♪ Licked his teeth like I was a cuisine ♪ ♪ He was sweet to a tea ♪ ♪ Begging me for a treat, oh ♪ ♪ Felt a suspicious mystique ♪ ♪ Oh, something's giving me the creeps ♪ ♪ Nah, I'm trippin', I'm so smitten ♪ ♪ Now I'm drippin', started kissin' ♪ ♪ Under the moon with you ♪ ♪ So majestic...vicious ♪ ♪ Like a werewolf when you're in it ♪ ♪ Under the moon, ah-ooh ♪ ♪ I'm addicted, so horrific ♪ ♪ And you kill and you murder ♪ ♪ Silver bullet through your bull... ♪ ♪ Ripping my clothes, hands on my throat ♪ ♪ Know I should go, pulling me close ♪ ♪ I don't feel right, now he's preyin' on my life ♪ ♪ Intuition never misses ♪ ♪ Shoulda listened, bad decisions ♪ ♪ Under the moon with you ♪ ♪ So majestic...vicious ♪ ♪ Like a werewolf when you're in it ♪ ♪ Under the moon, ah-ooh ♪ ♪ I'm addicted, so horrific ♪ ♪ And you kill and you murder ♪ ♪ Ohhh ♪ It's so strange.

It's like... well, something ain't right, bitch.

Hey, just sayin', "Ah-ooh" ♪ Say it ♪ -♪ Ah-ooh ♪ -♪ Sayin, "Ah-ooh" ♪ -♪ Ah-ooh ♪ -♪ Sayin, "Ah-ooh," say it!

♪ -♪ Ah-ooh ♪ -♪ Sayin, "Ah-ooh" ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ Give it up for Kenji, y'all.

[ Cheers and applause ] Mm-hmm!

♪♪ Awesome.

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ -I'm only the truth.

Ari Lennox and Buju Banton.

Giving you from the root.

-♪ I need your company ♪ ♪ I need you to come comfort me ♪ ♪ Come by ♪ ♪ Lay me down, put my soul at ease ♪ ♪ I need your company ♪ ♪ Come by ♪ ♪ Hey, so treat me like a telephone and pick me up ♪ ♪ Ring, ring, know I'm serious ♪ ♪ Tingles up my spine, you know the areas ♪ ♪ I love the ride that you got me on ♪ ♪ Run the shower, let me join you ♪ ♪ Sweeter than the juiciest fruit ♪ ♪ Running your hands straight through to my roots ♪ ♪ Yeah, baby, don't move, move, move ♪ ♪ I need a quick reset ♪ ♪ Rumination is in my head ♪ ♪ Can you do everything you said?

♪ ♪ Break the dam between my legs ♪ ♪ I need your company ♪ -♪ You do ♪ -♪ I need you to come comfort me ♪ -♪ Look at me in the eyes ♪ -♪ Come by ♪ ♪ Lay me down ♪ -♪ Put my soul at ease ♪ -♪ I need your company ♪ ♪ Come by ♪ I need y'all's help!

Hey!

Hey!

♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh ♪ Sing it, y'all!

Hey!

♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh ♪ Y'all better sing!

That...sounded so good!

Hey!

♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh ♪ Hell, ♪ yeah!

♪ -♪ Whoo!

♪ -Yeah!

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ I do hate to know, know, know it ♪ ♪ Oh, you don't love me and I know now ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Hate to know, know, know it ♪ ♪ Oh, you don't love me ♪ ♪ And I know now ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Because you left me, baby, hey ♪ ♪ And I got no place to go now ♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Thank you!

Okay, it's a lot of dark going on in this world.

And that's why I feel it's imperative that we break each other off.

That's why I feel like it's significant for y'all to break me off.

Say, "Break me off."

-Break me off!

-Say, "Break me off!"

-Break me off!

-Say, "Break me off, bitch!"

-Break me off, bitch!

-Yes!

Thanks.

-Oh, I got you all in check.

I got that eggnog that'll make you break your neck.

-♪ Hey ♪ ♪ Oh, hey ♪ ♪ Hey ♪ ♪ Hey, I say sleepin' all day ♪ ♪ Chiefin', roll it ♪ ♪ Video games ♪ ♪ 'Bout to lose it ♪ ♪ Hey, that body's on fire ♪ ♪ Ooh, love me long till you get tired ♪ ♪ Ooh, baby, you got what I want ♪ ♪ You's a real one, I'm inspired ♪ Come on, Austin!

♪ Break me off ♪ ♪ And gitchi gitchi yaya when the lights is out ♪ -♪ I'm summertime crushin', put that game on pause ♪ ♪ And do it how I like it, baby, nice and slow ♪ ♪ Ooh ♪ -♪ Break me off ♪ ♪ And gitchi gitchi yaya when the lights is out ♪ -♪ I'm summertime crushin', put that game on pause ♪ ♪ And do it how I like it, baby, nice and slow ♪ ♪ Hey, I said my knees get weak ♪ ♪ When you touch me ♪ ♪ Body, use it ♪ ♪ Sex game stupid ♪ ♪ Hey, that body's on fire ♪ ♪ Ooh, love me ♪ -♪ Long till you get tired ♪ -♪ Hey, hey, baby ♪ -♪ You got what I want ♪ ♪ You's a real one, I'm inspired ♪ ♪ Ohh ♪ -♪ Break me off ♪ -♪ And gitchi gitchi yaya when the lights is out ♪ I'm summertime crushin', put that game on pause ♪ ♪ And do it how I like it, baby, nice and slow ♪ -♪ Break me off ♪ -♪ And gitchi gitchi yaya when the lights is out ♪ ♪ I'm summertime crushin', put that game on pause ♪ -♪ I said yeah, yeah, yeah ♪ ♪ Ooh ♪ [ Man singing indistinctly ] [ Man singing indistinctly ] [ Man singing indistinctly ] ♪ What you need ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -Give it up for Chuck, y'all.

Where my fans at?

[ Cheers and applause ] Okay, let's have some fun.

♪♪ ♪ Ah, ooh ♪ ♪ Ah, ooh ♪ ♪ Ah, ooh ♪ ♪ Yeah ♪ ♪ Purple in the sky ♪ ♪ Cruisin' Highway 85 ♪ ♪ Hey, say thought I saw a shooting star ♪ ♪ Beaming in your haunting eyes ♪ ♪ Hey, said Herbie Hancock on my radio ♪ ♪ Hey, said let's pull over for the liquor store ♪ ♪ Hey, say cop some Skittles and some Crown Royal ♪ ♪ I know we ended things a week ago ♪ ♪ Baby fall into me slow ♪ ♪ No, no love on me ♪ Hey!

♪ On that night drive ♪ ♪ Ooh, you're so fine ♪ ♪ Hey, purple in the sky ♪ ♪ Cruisin' Highway 85 ♪ ♪ Say thought I saw a shooting star ♪ ♪ Said beaming in your haunting eyes ♪ Sing it with me, y'all!

Hey!

♪ Ooh, ah ♪ ♪ Say ♪ Hell, yeah!

♪ Say, ooh, ah ♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ Hey ♪ ♪ Hey ♪ ♪ Brownskin honey ♪ ♪ Said won't you creep into my bedroom?

♪ ♪ Hey, you're looking real good now♪ ♪ Tell me what it do ♪ ♪ I heard you got a girl, though ♪ ♪ Hey, say, what's it got to do with me?

♪ ♪ Oh, she don't have to know ♪ ♪ I'll meet you quarter to three ♪ ♪ You know my roommates ain't home ♪ ♪ And it's really cold outside ♪ ♪ You know I hate bein' alone ♪ ♪ Bet I'll get you right ♪ ♪ You know my roommates ain't home ♪ ♪ And it's really cold outside ♪ ♪ You know I hate bein' alone ♪ ♪ See, bet I ♪ ♪ Say, oh, right ♪ ♪ Say, oh, right ♪ ♪ You pull the back of my hair ♪ ♪ You rock my body out ♪ ♪ We had a little affair upon Daddy's couch ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ Ooh ♪ -♪ Ooh, ooh ♪ ♪ Ooh ♪ ♪ Ooh ♪ -♪ Ooh, ooh ♪ -♪ Hey, hey ♪ ♪ Said, baby, you're the greatest ♪ ♪ Of all time, the greatest ♪ ♪ So won't you hit my line?

♪ ♪ Oh, you're still on my mind ♪ ♪ I ain't seen your ass in a couple months ♪ ♪ But if you want it, baby, you can get you some ♪ ♪ And all that conflict, we can work out ♪ ♪ So gon head, put this good in your mouth ♪ ♪ What you about?

♪ ♪ Say second time, hey, second time around ♪ ♪ Said we can get it started like Black Eyed Peas in town ♪ ♪ There's nothing to figure out, hey, hey ♪ ♪ Said baby you're the greatest of all time ♪ ♪ So won't you hit my line?

♪ ♪ Hey, hey, you're still on my mind ♪ ♪ Hey, I said you are ♪ ♪ You...are ♪ ♪ Hey, yeah ♪ ♪ Ooh, ooh ♪ How many y'all been...in the back seat of a car before?

Y'all some freaks.

♪ Hey, hey, hey, hey, would you hit it how I like?

♪ ♪ Would you hit it in the back seat of my ride?

♪ ♪ And I know it's risky, right ♪ ♪ But I want it in the back seat, hmmm ♪ ♪ Oowee, these fellas can't mind their business ♪ ♪ Hey, hey, hey ♪ ♪ Hey, you spank it so they know I'm taken ♪ ♪ Hey, hey, hey ♪ ♪ Say, they don't wanna, oh, this crazy ♪ ♪ Hey ♪ ♪ Oh, we gon' steam up this parking lot, baby ♪ ♪ Hey, would you hit it how I like?

♪ -♪ Oh, yeah, yeah ♪ -♪ Would you hit in the back seat?

♪ ♪ And I know it's risky, baby ♪ ♪ But I want it in the back seat ♪ ♪ Said ooh, ah, ooh ♪ ♪ They might suspect, but who gon' check me?

♪ ♪ Hey, hey ♪ ♪ Ooh, ooh, this car is getting foggy ♪ ♪ That brown skin all on my body ♪ ♪ That brown skin gonna drive me crazy ♪ ♪ Would you hit it how I like?

♪ ♪ Oh, yeah ♪ -♪ Would you hit it in the back seat?

♪ -♪ Oh, yeah ♪ ♪ But I want it in the back seat of my ride ♪ ♪ I said I want it ♪ ♪ Say, baby, you ♪ ♪ And I know it's risky, baby ♪ ♪ But I want it in the back seat of my ride ♪ How many y'all just got a new apartment?

If not soon, come back.

♪ Hey, hey, said I just got a new apartment ♪ ♪ I'm gon' leave the floor wet ♪ ♪ Say walk around this bitch naked ♪ ♪ And nobody can tell me ♪ ♪ Hey, a girl just bought some rice for decoration ♪ ♪ Hey, there ain't nobody cookin', nobody bakin' ♪ ♪ Hey, said leavin' my curls in the shower ♪ ♪ Hey, and no more missin' the hot water ♪ ♪ I said pop my woo-hah in the sky ♪ ♪ 'Cause nobody here to judge my life ♪ Hell, no.

♪ Said leave the dishes in the sink ♪ ♪ Do some cartwheels ♪ 'Cause my furniture ain't came ♪ ♪ What?

Standard shippin' thang ♪ Y'all better sing.

♪ Hey, said I just got a new apartment ♪ ♪ I'm gon' leave the floor wet ♪ ♪ Hey, said walk around this bitch naked ♪ ♪ Ain't nobody can tell me ♪ ♪ Hey, I might just read a book ♪ Don't need no cable ♪ Hey, say, blast Selena, "El Toro Relajo" ♪ ♪ And everything stays where I leave it ♪ ♪ Every damn rule I created ♪ ♪ A Dollar Tree wine glass ♪ Let me see them...hands, Austin!

♪ Said André will get me there ♪ ♪ Oh, I'm no longer afraid of the dark ♪ ♪ 'Cause that light bill changed my heart ♪ ♪ And made a...act smart ♪ ♪ Hey, said I just got a new apartment ♪ ♪ Hey, I'm gon' leave the floor wet ♪ ♪ Say walk around ♪ ♪ Ah, nobody can tell me ♪ ♪ Hell, no ♪ ♪ Said nobody can tell me ♪ ♪ Hell, no ♪ ♪ Hey, said nobody can tell ♪ Y'all!

♪ Hey, I said get the...on ♪ Let me see them hands!

Say... -♪ Get the...on ♪ -Kick that bitch out.

They ain't paying.

♪ Hey, hey, this I say ♪ ♪ Get the...on ♪ Let me see them hands.

Kick 'em out.

-♪ Get the...on ♪ -♪ Hey, hey, say get the...on ♪ ♪ Hey, if you got somethin' to say ♪ ♪ Hey, huh ♪ ♪ That...that you talkin' ♪ ♪ Said get the... out my apartment ♪ ♪ That...that you told me ♪ ♪ That...that you talkin', whoa!

♪ ♪ Get the...out my apartment ♪ ♪ Talking ♪ ♪ Get the...out my apartment now ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] So after I impulsively kicked that person out... ...I start feeling bad because they was sexy.

Sexy as hell.

And now I'm getting real thick... ...because I've been eating whipped cream.

[ Audience cheers ] ♪ Oh, boy ♪ ♪ Hey ♪ ♪ Oh, boy ♪ ♪ Say I've been eatin' whipped cream ♪ ♪ Havin' vivid dreams ♪ ♪ Of your face ♪ ♪ And through people on TV screens ♪ ♪ You've been everywhere ♪ ♪ Said I wish I didn't care ♪ ♪ Oh, you've been everywhere ♪ ♪ I wish, I wish I didn't care, hey ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Said, I've been in my feels, I've been stacking bills ♪ ♪ On online shoppin' ♪ ♪ And robbin' my chance of surviving ♪ ♪ Late on rent, what was I thinkin'?

♪ ♪ Gon' go to the gym, squat real low for a man ♪ ♪ Around you it revolves, I can't shake it off ♪ ♪ Unrequited, admit it, you were never mine at all ♪ ♪ Hey, say never mine ♪ ♪ Never mine ♪ ♪ No, at all, all ♪ ♪ Say I've been eatin' whipped cream ♪ ♪ Havin' vivid dreams ♪ ♪ Of your face and through people on TV screens ♪ ♪ You've been everywhere ♪ ♪ Said, I wish I didn't care ♪ ♪ Oh, you've been everywhere ♪ ♪ I wish, said I wish I didn't care ♪ ♪ Said you're on my mind ♪ ♪ You're on my mind ♪ ♪ Plea*se ♪ Can I talk my...Austin?

[ Audience cheers ] Okay.

Hey.

Hey.

♪ See, your deceivin', receivin', non-givin' ... ♪ ♪ Hey, hey ♪ ♪ You deceivin', receivin', non-givin' ... ♪ ♪ Heyyyy, hey, hey ♪ ♪ Said I've been eatin' whipped cream ♪ ♪ Havin' vivid dreams ♪ ♪ Of your face and through people on TV ♪ ♪ Oh, you've been everywhere ♪ ♪ Said I wish I didn't care ♪ Oh, you've been ♪ You've been, you've been, you've been ♪ ♪ Hey, baby ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] ♪ Ooh ♪ ♪ Hold it, need it, need it, yeah ♪ ♪ Ooh ♪ ♪ Shea butter, baby, fun up your ♪ ♪ I said touch me, take me, kiss me ♪ ♪ Love me, impress me ♪ ♪ Pull up, black truck, ganja ♪ ♪ Wrist so blinding, heart so timeless ♪ ♪ Wishing you could meet me, see me, freak me ♪ ♪ Hey, you lost in the shape of my hips, yeah ♪ ♪ Hope there is a move ♪ ♪ And if you're really down, we could find it ♪ ♪ Lost in the alley, make love by a trash can ♪ ♪ Hope there is a move ♪ ♪ And if you're really down, we can find it ♪ ♪ Lost in the alley, make love ♪ ♪ Shea butter, baby, fun up your pillow ♪ ♪ I can ♪ ♪ Hey, shea butter, baby, fun up your sheets ♪ ♪ Hey, you crossed my mind ♪ -♪ A thousand times ♪ -♪ I draw the line ♪ ♪ Yeah, say yeah ♪ ♪ Hey, you lost in the shape of my hips ♪ ♪ Hey, hope there's a move ♪ ♪ Hey, and if you're really down, we can find it ♪ ♪ Lost in the alley, make love by a trash can ♪ ♪ Hey, hey ♪ ♪ Hope there is a move ♪ ♪ And if you're really down, we can find it ♪ ♪ Lost in the alley, make love ♪ ♪ Shea butter, baby ♪ Sing it, y'all.

♪ I can make love ♪ ♪ Hey ♪ Sing it!

♪ Shea butter, baby, fun up your sheets ♪ ♪♪ -♪ I be feeling like the man when I walk through ♪ ♪ Ain't stuntin' what you saying when I walk through ♪ ♪ I got all these hoes staring when I walk through ♪ ♪ I done made a few bands when I walk through ♪ ♪ Watch me, watch me ♪ -♪ And watch me walk through ♪ -♪ Watch me, watch me ♪ -♪ And watch me walk through ♪ ♪ Oh, and watch me walk through ♪ -♪ I done made a few bands when I walk through ♪ -Thanks, y'all!

[ Cheers and applause ] I need a soft girl.

Come on baby, come here.

Yes, yes.

You two.

Do y'all know the dance?

Follow me.

♪♪ -♪ Yeah ♪ ♪ Ooh ♪ -♪ Ooh, ooh ♪ ♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪ ♪ Hey, say baby, that's a million dollars in the mirror ♪ ♪ Step back, get back, can't get near her ♪ ♪ Ain't tryna do nothing but look pretty in there ♪ ♪ Hurry up and put me in my soft girl era ♪ ♪ In first class, I ain't goin' nowhere ♪ ♪ Nails, hair, rent paid, take me somewhere ♪ ♪ Ain't tryna do nothing but the pretty in there ♪ ♪ Hurry up and put me in my soft girl era ♪ ♪ Cheap flight, fly high maintenance ♪ ♪ I been busy, take me on a vacation ♪ ♪ Put your money to your mouth, hey ♪ ♪ Servin' cake on a plate, come face it ♪ ♪ Hey, say, I can be your passenger princess ♪ ♪ I move quick for a bitch, add interest ♪ ♪ Hey, don't you tell nobody what you witnessed ♪ ♪ 'Cause when we doin' ain't no one's business ♪ ♪ But you ♪ ♪ Hey, hey, oh, what you gon' do?

♪ ♪ Hey, I'm saving all this for you ♪ ♪ Hey, it's a hard knock life, can you treat me right?

♪ Y'all ready?

Hey, hey.

♪ Baby, that's a million dollars in the mirror ♪ ♪ Step back, get back, can't get near her ♪ ♪ Ain't tryna do nothing but look pretty in there ♪ ♪ Hurry up and put me in my soft girl era ♪ ♪ In first class, I ain't goin' nowhere ♪ ♪ Nails, hair, rent paid, take me somewhere ♪ ♪ Ain't tryna do nothing but look pretty in there ♪ ♪ Hurry up and put me in my girl put era ♪ ♪ Put me in my soft girl era ♪ ♪ Hey, I said feelin' like my soft girl era ♪ ♪ Put me in my soft girl era ♪ ♪ Hey, hey, too pretty to be taking out some trash ♪ ♪ Hey ♪ ♪ I'm tryna throw some ♪ ♪ Hey, hey ♪ ♪ Hurry up and put me in my soft girl era ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Thank you.

Give it up for my soft girls.

[ Cheers and applause ] I need somebody to apply some pressure to me.

Okay.

Let's do it.

♪♪ ♪ Ah, ah ♪ ♪ Ooh, ooh ♪ ♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh ♪ ♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪ Hey!

♪ Keep your eyes on me ♪ ♪ Eyes on me, apply that ♪ -♪ Pressure ♪ -♪ Get it, don't be timid when you in it ♪ ♪ Apply that ♪ -♪ Pressure ♪ ♪ Love up on it, nibble on it, leave it ♪ -♪ Pressure ♪ -♪ Hey, I don't want no drip, baby ♪ ♪ Spray it like you mean it ♪ ♪ So fine and spicy, baby ♪ -♪ Jump up on this ♪ -♪ Pressure ♪ ♪ Hey, I guess that's why you like it ♪ ♪ Baby, come and get it ♪ -♪ Pressure ♪ -♪ Takes a lot to excite me, baby ♪ ♪ Give it all you got ♪ ♪ I'm a tough cookie, baby, hit the right spot ♪ ♪ You texting me, you know I won't -- what?

♪ ♪ Why you ain't...with me when I wasn't this fly?

♪ ♪ Now I'm on top and I'm ridin' sky-high ♪ ♪ I don't need nobody, but I'll take you down tonight ♪ ♪ I'm okay with bein' nasty ♪ ♪ Too...hot for all these clothes anyway ♪ ♪ My body drippin', boy, but you gon' have to wait ♪ ♪ And when you get it, lick it -- like?

♪ ♪ Hey, now keep your eyes on me ♪ ♪ Eyes on me, apply ♪ -♪ Pressure ♪ -♪ Hey, get it, don't be timid when you in it ♪ ♪ Apply ♪ -♪ Pressure ♪ ♪ Said love up on it, nibble on it ♪ ♪ Leave it ♪ -♪ Pressure ♪ -♪ Hey, said I want no drip, baby ♪ ♪ Spray it like you mean it ♪ ♪ So fine and spicy, baby ♪ ♪ Jump up on this ♪ -♪ Pressure ♪ -♪ Hey, I guess that's why you like it ♪ ♪ Baby, come and get it ♪ -♪ Pressure ♪ ♪ Takes a lot to excite me, baby, give it all you got ♪ ♪ I'm a tough cookie, baby ♪ ♪ So bop it, baby, twist it, honey ♪ ♪ Do it like you mean it, darling ♪ ♪ Keep it comin', ooh ♪ ♪ Keep me runnin', leave it messy ♪ ♪ Say go ahead and live in it, swim up in me ♪ ♪ Ohh, ohh ♪ ♪ Ooh ♪ ♪ Hey, hey ♪ ♪ Ooh, oh, hey ♪ ♪ Go ahead and live in it, swim up in me ♪ ♪ Oh, ahh ♪ ♪ Hey, get it, don't be timid when you in it ♪ ♪ Apply ♪ -♪ Pressure ♪ -♪ Love on it, nibble on it ♪ ♪ I don't want no drip, hey ♪ ♪ So fine and spicy, baby, jump up on this ♪ ♪ I guess that's why you like it, babe ♪ ♪ It takes a lot, baby ♪ ♪ I'm a tough cookie, baby, hit the right spot ♪ Yeah, yeah, Austin!

♪ Hey!

Say hit it, baby ♪ ♪ Say hit it, baby ♪ ♪ Ohh, ohh ♪ ♪ Hit it, baby ♪ ♪ Hit it, baby ♪ ♪ I said keep me runnin', yeah ♪ ♪ Yeah ♪ Thank you so much!

[ Cheers and applause ] Check out is now approaching.

♪♪ Yes.

♪ Hey, ah ♪ ♪ Hey, ah ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Hey, ah ♪ ♪ Hey, ah ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Hey, ah ♪ ♪ Hey, ah ♪ Alright, I'm gonna need your help.

Hey.

Hey.

Hey.

♪ Shouldn't do it ♪ -♪ But I need to do it ♪ -♪ Ohhh ♪ ♪ Shouldn't do it ♪ -♪ But I need to do it ♪ -♪ Hey ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Ohh, you touch me, you touch me, hey ♪ ♪ I like all the ways that you go flowing through my body ♪ ♪ Sugar sweet makes you caffeine ♪ ♪ Rev up and ride that Harley ♪ ♪ You know I'm gon' help you with the load ♪ ♪ If you gon' spot me ♪ ♪ Every time I try to walk away ♪ ♪ I'm slippin' ♪ -♪ Fallin' ♪ -♪ Hey, say hold me back ♪ ♪ Hold my hair back ♪ ♪ Tell me can you handle that?

♪ ♪ Hey, said shouldn't do it ♪ -♪ But I need to do it ♪ -♪ Said shouldn't do it ♪ -♪ But I need to do it ♪ ♪ Hey, ah ♪ ♪ Hey, hey ♪ ♪ Ooh, you touch me ♪ -♪ Touch me ♪ -♪ Hey, say sending you a picture of it ♪ ♪ Got your head all foggy ♪ ♪ Ask if you could put a baby in me, I say probably ♪ ♪ Hey, say lose all focus, hocus pocus ♪ ♪ When I see you callin' ♪ ♪ Speed it up, 747, sending the coochie to heaven ♪ ♪ Baby, I said hold me back ♪ -♪ Hold my hair back ♪ ♪ Tell me can you handle that?

♪ ♪ Ohhhh ♪ ♪ Hey, tell me, can you handle that?

♪ -♪ Shouldn't do it, but I need to do it ♪ -♪ Ahh ♪ ♪ You so good to me ♪ -♪ Shouldn't do it, but I need to do it♪ -♪ Hey, hey ♪ ♪ And you make me weak ♪ ♪ Hey ♪ How y'all feeling?

[ Audience cheers ] That's good.

Hey, I need y'all's help right here.

♪ Hey, ah ♪ Listen.

Hey.

♪ It's too soon to want you the way that I do ♪ ♪ When I shouldn't ♪ ♪ It's too soon to want you the way that I do ♪ ♪ When I shouldn't, baby ♪ ♪ It's too soon to want you the way that I do ♪ ♪ When I shouldn't ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪ ♪ Ah ♪ I want to give it up for PBS for being incredible.

I'm so grateful.

I'm such a fan.

So thank you.

Austin City Limits, I love you.

Thank you for having me.

Please give it up for Khalil on the keys.

Give it up for Chuck on drums.

Give it up for Kenji on guitar.

And give it up for my singing ass singers, Blanche and Dexter!

Blanche and Dexter.

Said Blanche and Dexter.

Said Blanche and Dexter Said Blanche and Dexter.

Give it up for yourselves!

My name is Ari Lennox.

Thank you so much, y'all.

I love you, thank you.

Mwah!

Mwah!

Mwah!

Mwah!

Mwah!

[ Cheers and applause ] -Welcome to "Austin City Limits."

-Thank you.

-Phenomenal.

-Thank you.

Across the board, locally.

Outfit was on point.

Audience was in your hand the entire time.

How do you feel?

-I feel really good.

Feel really good.

Um, yeah.

The energy was amazing.

I feel blessed to be here, so... -Earlier we got to speak a little bit about shedding layers from yourself.

And I was really, like I told you, I was very happy to hear some of these newfound layers that you've shed off.

Um, how do you think shedding those layers specifically has helped you maybe lean into your confidence more, or maybe not?

You know, am I reading too much into that?

-No, you're absolutely right.

Being sober does create, like, confidence in me.

And it helps me understand, like, I can trust myself.

I can trust, um, that I don't have to be in control of every situation all the time, but I can control at least how I'm presenting myself, at least.

At first, I wouldn't dance much.

I think I'd just walk across the stage more than usual, and I'd be afraid to use my limbs and stuff.

But then I learned Diana Ross, she does all of this and this, and I realized I need to just lean into my diva ways, like, don't be so afraid.

And so I've just really been tapping into my femininity and like the woman in me and just, um, yeah.

-Talking about intimacy, talking about love in the way you do, some people might not even know how to put that into words for themselves.

-Wow.

Yeah.

It's very natural for me to make a song, a sexy song about like, you know, putting it in a pretzel.

I think it's funny.

And then also, like, to make a song and kind of the metaphors be food and things of that nature, I think is just amazing.

So I don't know, it doesn't feel like I'm exposing anything.

-What is it about Ari Lennox that you hope these people discover or take away?

-Um, I hope they can feel my heart, um, my energy, my, like, love for soul.

The way I've studied soul, how much I love jazz.

And I love classical music and I love just all types of stuff, alternative.

I hope they can just see that, you know, I'm just authentic, and I just hope people are encouraged to also embrace their authentic ways and their freaky ways and...yeah.

-Their true form.

-Yeah, exactly.

Their true form.

Yeah.

-I love it.

Well, I wanted to thank you for your time... -Thank you.

-...and your talent.

-Thank you.

-And letting Ari show the world who she is and what she's about.

And we can't wait till you come back for your next time.

And then the following time.

-Thank you.

-'Cause we're gonna need some more Ari coming back.

So thank you so much.

-Appreciate it.

Thank you.

-Hope you had a good time tonight.

-I did, thank you.

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