The Breakfast Club - Ari Lennox Talks "Age Sex Location", Former Uber Driver Horror Stories, Dating In 2022 & More

Episode Date: September 19, 2022

Ari Lennox Talks "Age Sex Location", Former Uber Driver Horror Stories, Dating In 2022 & MoreSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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It's DJ Envy, Angela Yee, Charlamagne Tha God. We are The Breakfast Club. We got a special guest in the building. She's in here with all this big queen energy. Ari Lennox, welcome. How are you? Thanks for having me. First time on The Breakfast Club.

Yeah. Wow. Well, welcome. Thank you so much. How do you feel Thanks for having me. First time on The Breakfast Club. Yeah. Wow. Well, welcome. Thank you so much. How do you feel this morning? I'm just getting horrified. Horrified? I'm just a little nervous.

You know, it's only you. It's only because of you. Just kidding, yeah. But just a little nervous. It's a very legendary, you know, show, so. What took you so long to come up here then? Fear. Fear? Yeah. What were you so long to come up here then? Fear. Fear? Yeah. What were you scared of?

Y'all. Why? Y'all together. You've serviced me before. Yeah, I love her. We had a good time. You just don't love us? No, it's just, you know, y'all can be a little tough on people. People sometimes? Yeah. We've evolved. We've changed a whole lot. Yeah.

And I feel that and I feel that. I feel that, yeah. So I want to, if you don't mind, for people that don't know who Ari Lennox is or where you're signed to or how you got your start, I want to start from the beginning for those people, since this is your first time. You want her to do a documentary?

Oh, yeah, do a documentary. So you're signed to J. Cole. Yeah. How did you get into the music industry and signed to Cole? Oh, well, I was working at Public Storage and just dropping music on SoundCloud. And there's an amazing rapper named Omen. He loved my music.

He told Eve and Cole about it. And he was like, we'll fly you out tomorrow or tonight, something like that, so that you can meet Cole in the studio and stuff like that. And I was horrified, you know, I just got the job. I didn't want to lose the job. It was $10 an hour. It was the highest paid job I ever had. $10 an hour. Yeah. So I didn't want to like lose this. So I almost didn't go. And, um, but honestly, I think it was fear. You know, fear of flying and things like that. But I just got over it.

I drank Mad Vodka, and I got on that flight. That was your first flight as well? First flight in a long time, like years. Did you lose your job? Yeah. I did, and I was horrified. And I started doing Uber. There's a lot here now. First of all, what were you afraid? Why are you afraid of flying?

Oh, well, I had a traumatic experience when I was young on a flight. And so I'm playing by the crash or something. Yeah. Well, the engines went out. Oh, so. Yeah, and so as— That'll do it. Yeah, that'll do it. Yeah, so as we're about to land, he's basically telling us to brace for impact. And I was very young and just praying, but I don't remember having fear before that moment. But after that moment—and we didn't fly that often after that.

I became—I was just scared. It's trauma. Yeah, I think so. Absolutely. And so you said you were making music. So, I mean, who was doing your beats? How were you affording production? Right.

I was recording myself on Pro Tools SE, very beginner's situation. And working with different producers from Dave James to DJ Grumble. And, yeah. But I love the fact that... What? No gum. What's that for?

Oh, thanks. Oh, no, I don't have the gum. Oh, okay. Why is everybody telling me gum? I might have. Oh, I did? Was I chewing on... No.

No. I just got the note. Just making things up for you. Just making things up about did have i did have a throat lozenger no no yeah but it's sorry about that she was like are you passing me notes i do love the fact that it says a lot about you that even though you have a dream of music like i got a job yeah it says a lot about you that you just you have a dream of music, like, I got a job. It says a lot about you that you just didn't say, no, F my job. You know what I mean?

Even though I do want to be a singer, I'm not going to just say F my job. That's a scary thing to say, F my job, when you just got it. It's the highest paid job. You just got it, yeah. But glad you took that chance. Me too. So now you're an Uber driver, right? Now let's rewind.

Now you lose your job and you become an Uber driver. I can't see you driving no damn Uber. I was. Are you a good driver? Am I a good driver? It depends. It depends. I'm very safe at driving, yes.

But there are things that have happened where it's just like I could have been more, a little bit more alert. Okay. What was your star rating? My star rating? Oh, it started dropping like crazy. And I don't know why. Some people thought I was driving too fast. I think people are kind of picky.

Like, I didn't think I was driving that fast. One note I got was I was switching lanes too much. But I was trying to get them there. I don't know what the hell. What kind of car was it? A Kia Soul. Why are you doing that? That's Uber X.

Yeah, I was public storage. No, I didn't have no big fancy, you know. Tell me how the car was set up. What did you have in the car? What did you have in the car? It was just a nice black interior and a big bowl of candy. Okay, okay. I love it when Uber drivers have candy in the car.

Did you have chargers for people? Yes, I did have my charger I would give because you know you can't trust Did you play your own music? No, not my, I would never That's weird That happens to me all the time I mean, never

Not one time? No, hell no, never That's so strange Did you ever pick up any celebrities? No, never, never. It was R&B though. That's so strange. Yeah. Okay. Did you ever pick up any celebrities? Huh? No, never. Never? Did I?

No. No, no, never. Did you make conversation or were you quiet? I made some conversations sometimes. Three times people threw up in my car. Yeah, that was intense. Do they pay for it? How does that work?

Do they pay for it? They pay for it, but it's nowhere near enough, and then you lose like five days of work because your car stinks and you're traumatized. How long did you have the Uber job for? This is interesting. This was my longest job to date. Uber I probably did for like at least a year or something.

Wow. Yeah, or maybe a little more, like on and off. And what music was you playing? I'm sure it was R&B. Tame Impala, D'Angelo. Those are two specific names I remember playing in my car. Mm-hmm. Did you ever have to kick anybody out the car?

Oh. The people that threw up. I was like, please get out he after he projectile vomited and it was just everywhere i was like you pointed to your back it hit your back oh and then another time this lady after she threw up um they asked me if i could still take her home she was but we had already stopped at like her initial her other friend's house i was like no i have to get home i'm in the middle of nowhere it's dark i puke like all over everybody be nice to your uber driver okay please that's what the whole moral of this story is i guess the meeting didn't go well because

you lost your job but then you started driving uber no the meeting went really well i just you know i had to still make money you know they, you know, taking their time with the idea of, like, signing me. It wasn't like an immediate thing or anything like that. This is my last Uber question. When you saw the episode of Insecure when Issa Rae was driving Uber, did you say, oh, I see me? I didn't see that episode. Oh, you never saw that episode? Yeah, I do love Issa.

Yeah, she drove Uber on Insecure for a while. She did? Wow. I feel like a loser. You know why I never watched Insecure? Because every time I would watch an episode, I would just get so sad about my life and how sexy these men were and how I had no men.

But that's by choice, I feel like, for you. That's by choice. Maybe it is. It is by choice because you could have a man. I could. But it might not be the one. Some people are okay with settling and saying, okay, I don't want to be alone.

And people make you feel like that. But the truth is, it's better to wait to the right person. Because I think that's even more lonely, to be with somebody just for the sake of. Absolutely. Absolutely. And I've definitely learned that the hard way. So very intentional in particular about who I want to share my time with. So I find myself alone a lot because it's just not working.

Why not change the mindset a little? You see the sexy man and you be like, I'm going to have that one day. I'm going to have a man like that for myself one day. I've been more adamant on my standards. Absolutely. I do do that. I'm more like, yes, he has to be fine. Yes, he has to have a nice job.

Yes, he has to be good to me and effective communicator. Like, I am like. Have his own place. He should have his own place. I am, you know, chanting those things within. What kind of place? You've done online, babe. What kind of place?

Yeah, does it have to be like a mansion? I would like him to have his own condo or a house. Okay. That would be really nice. And my assistant loves you, right? Really? Her name is Mercedes. Hi, Mercedes. So she sent me a house. Okay. It would be really nice. And my assistant loves you, right? Really? Her name is Mercedes. Hi, Mercedes.

So she sent me a couple of questions. One of the questions, she said you have a song called P.O.F. Wow. She's single, by the way, right? Oh. And she says, have you tried the dating app P.O.F. and were you ever catfished? And then she goes, by the way, that dating site is terrible. Oh.

So have you ever tried Plenty of Fish before? Absolutely. I met my first boyfriend on P.O.F. Really? His name is terrible. Oh. So have you ever tried Plenty of Fish before? Absolutely. I met my first boyfriend on POF. Really? His name is John. I don't know if I'll get in trouble for that. So it's John. John.

I'll be like, yes, that's old John. I've been trying to tell y'all for the longest. Yeah, I shouldn't have shouted him out. It's a bad time of name, I would say. John is lit right now. John is going to be so lit when this interview comes out. I've been telling y'all. I told you I used to rock with Ari.

So how many people have you picked up from Plenty of Fish? Just one. Just John. Just John. I heard you got kicked off of some dating sites because people didn't believe that it was you. Yeah, Tinder. They didn't believe it was me. And I didn't want to link my Instagram so that people would know it's me and then maybe reach out to me for

the wrong reasons like you know secret rappers. You are a fly human. Thank you. What is happening here? I think I need to step outside more. I've definitely created this bubble online for so many years but I'm

finally stepping outside and like meeting like nice like you, enjoyable individuals. But yeah. What other dating apps are you on? You said Tinder, plenty of fish. Yeah, not recently. Christian Mingle? Tinder, not recently.

Christian Mingle? Never Christian Mingle. I'm too ratchet. African Ancestry for old men? Oh my God. I mean, that would be lovely. Oh, what about Raya? That's the celebrity dating site

that you have to get like a referral. Right. I think that's where I'm at with it now. And it's been nice. They said Chris Rock will give you a referral

because that's where Sherri Shepherd is on there. And Chris Rock gave her a referral. That's sweet. I saw Chris Rock on there. I did one time. Did you think it was him

for real? I did think it was him. They let you out on Raya. Yeah. Everyone's there. I did, one time. Did you think it was him for real? I did think it was him. They let you out on riots. Yeah. And you can't, like, you know. Everyone's real, I hope. Let's go back to John for a second. Why did you throw John back in the sea?

Well, John went to the military, and I felt like we were growing apart, and the affection was lacking. He called me bruh once, and I was just like, you know what? I couldn't. He called you bruh. Yeah, and it triggered me. And I know it wasn't just bruh once and I was just like you know what I couldn't yeah and it triggered me but and I know it wasn't just bruh like it's it's fine you can call me that it's just I felt like our romance was kind of dissipating and so I think that was just a

triggering thing and we had an argument and I was like well I guess we're not together anymore and that's kind of where to protect myself myself, unfortunately, I do that. And he was like, okay, fine, we're not together anymore. And he was really serious. Well, his loss. How many songs has he inspired? Thanks. Probably P.O.F., the EP, and my album, Shea Butter Baby.

That's literally greatly inspired by him. And I'm so grateful. Well, it was the first relationship I ever had. And he was, it was the most interesting relationship I've ever had. So, yeah. No, I know women. Do you still speak to John? Yeah, we're cool.

We check on each other sometimes. That's why he didn't get an EP credit on Shave Butter Baby. Oh, shit. Well, I mean, it's the price you pay when you just don't want to get back together and back in 2016. I know women that swear by Shea Butter Baby. Like, they like, that's like their Bible. So that's big of him. John, make the t-shirts.

I inspired Shea Butter Baby. No. Don't make those t-shirts. Please. I was going to ask, so your government name is not Ari Lennox. Yeah, it's not. So where did you get the name Ari Lennox from? Well, The Secret Garden is like one of my favorite movies growing up.

And I was looking for, like, a name with a cool, like, English last name. I kind of regret that now because, like, I feel like I could have thought of something way more, like, earthy or scientific. Courtney Salter is dope, though. like earthy or science Courtney Salter was dope though Courtney was is great but I like the separation of like people not knowing Courtney unless you really look me up or something but yeah the girl's name was Mary Lennox and I kind of just remixed it into Ari Lennox and I'm Aries and I love India Ari and yeah don't be yelling out your government name like that. You don't know who looking for you. When you date guys, do they call you Courtney or do they call you Ari?

If it's real, Courtney. And yeah, if it becomes real, Courtney, for sure. And were you on Tinder for hookups or was it for like really trying to find love? I think I was delusional. I think I didn't know how I could find people. And so like I would get on there hoping for more. But a lot of times I would meet very surface situations. Does that bother you? Are you okay with like just a, you know, sometimes you might just be like,

I don't need this to be all deep. I just want to have fun. I, it would bother me now. Like I want something meaningful and forever and just one man for life, or at least for like a good 20 years, you know. And then after that, we can. You want 20 at least? Yeah, 20 at least.

It would be a nice, cute, seasonal love. I would love that. What's the difference between Ari Lennox, the artist, and Kourtney, the person? Wow. Ari is this, I don't freaking know. They intertwine, you know. We're both, I think, very ratchet and anxious and sweet and giving and maybe a little impulsive. Just the entire definition of Aries, I believe they're both that way.

Maybe Ari. Well, honestly, yeah, they're both the same. You think you created the character Ari to protect Kourtney? I think Ari is more of like some sunglasses for me a little bit. But Kourtney always is so feisty, and I feel like that's who be popping out. That's who comes out, you know? So, yeah. And that's why I love the song Boy Bye with Lucky Day.

The feistiness in that song is so funny to me. So you've met a lot of guys, well, you've dated guys, and they've been secret rappers. I thought that was really funny when you date somebody somebody and then all of a sudden you find out later like you'll pass this to cole for me exactly oh my god and it's the worst um it happens like but that's why i've learned with dating ask specific questions are you a rapper? Have you ever recorded music? Do you play basketball? I need to know specifically.

What if he's good, though? What if you date somebody and you meet them and they're like a secret rapper, but they're actually good? I will never be able to trust that you genuinely want to be here for me and not try to get to Cole or, you know, Dreamville or Interscope. Like, you know.

That is hilarious. That's a plot for a movie or something. The girl thinks that the guy is cheating, but he's really sneaking off to record mixtapes. He's really sneaking off. Exactly. Exactly. And I was going to say, how was when you signed to Cole, how was that? And what made you decide to sign to him?

Because he is a rapper. He's an artist. He might not know about R&B music. And, you know, you kind of have to trust his lead. Wow. I think it was just immediately like a family situation. Like, I was living in Charlotte, North Carolina for so long. And I was just Ubering it up.

And, you know, I would travel back and forth to Raleigh at this place that he made to create music for all of these artists called The Shelter. And a lot of us would just be, like, hanging out in there and just making music. And it felt like home. It felt like a second home. I hated having to go back to my mom's house. Well, I love my mom and her house but you know I loved going to Raleigh and feeling like

I'm doing something with my life and I'm learning so much about life and this music business so yeah. He does his homework a lot too like he's really into it like he's he has no ego when it comes to it he'll ask a million questions and I respect that and what did your mom and your family say when you were recording with cole and going out there

recording because a lot of times parents don't believe in the industry right way my dad never really knew what was going on in my life so you were the secret rapper yeah i was i mean he knew he he was the one who always said you're gonna going to be something one day. Like he he always said that. But like he was kind of always doing his own thing. So he never really was seeing that I was how serious I was about music, which is why he was like, you should be a nurse. But really, he wanted to be a nurse. And but anyway, so my mom, where am I going with this? Yeah, but my mom was very calm very stable individual she just

was just like forward like happy for me but yeah very supportive she never really knew this like how i don't think how like uh serious but they always knew you could sing yeah yeah they always and you know what going back to jacob i Bia recently, and she was saying how she wishes that every man could make, you know, as a woman going in the studio working with a man, make you feel as comfortable as J. Cole made her feel working with him. She was like, that's how it should be as a woman when you go in the studio to feel like it's work, it's genuine, and it's not anything more than that. Yeah, absolutely. He's definitely good, beautiful energy. So, so comforting, so comfortable, like just amazing energy. So, yeah.

Were you and Lucky Day in the studio together when you did Boy Bye? Huh? Were me and Lucky in the studio? Yeah, we were together in the studio. So that was like ad-libs that y'all made up on the spot. Ad-libs, freestyles. It was just so natural. Like, he's amazing.

We're lovers of love. I feel like you must have cut out some of those conversations, too. Because it's funny, but I'm sure y'all said a lot of different things to each other, you know, to ad lib. Yeah. And you're like, what? I wanted to cut out more. I felt like there were certain things I probably should have took out. But I kept them.

Like what? Like the erection part. I don't know if that hurts a lot of, like, grown folks out there. I could have an erection. What? What? What? What?

What? What is happening? She said she don't know if the erection hurts. It depends how big it is. Wait. Oh, my God. Wait. What are you talking about?

What do you mean? No. He's kinky this morning. Very kinky this morning. Did you have any reservations as an R&B singer signing to a rap label? No. I was real pressed. I was real excited.

Like, it's J fucking Cole. Like, you know what I'm saying? And Dreamville. And everybody's so cool and nice So no reservations. I was excited That's not a song pressure was that about somebody in particular pressure No It was really about me honestly like like feeling myself and feeling really sexy and like

Demanding that whoever comes into my life like you have to work you know you have to show me why I should give you my time and I want to feel like you're attracted to me and like you respect me and things like that did you know that sound would be as big as it was hell no I but all I cared about was how it made me feel. And I loved it. When Jalen did the reference, I was in love. And I just wanted to sound like her. And so I got in the studio and I tried my best. The first time I heard that song, I was like, this is a hit.

I remember being in the car and hearing it. And being like, what is this? I didn't know. It was super early on and I was like this song is a hit that's one of those songs like as soon as it starts you're like that's it damn thank you I have chills and I also saw somewhere did you record like 90 songs yeah 80 about 80 songs and yeah how do you whittle that down, who's part of that process for you? I mean, it's just me and the crew. Like, we just unanimously decide, like, what we love the best.

And, you know, you narrow it down to, like, 20. And then I wanted, like, you know, off some, like, you know, Michael Jackson, Thriller, you know, like, or Maxwell. Like, how their songs are straight. Like, their albums are, like. Nine songs, ten songs. Get right to the point. Yes, nine songs ten songs get right to the point get right to the point direct and beautiful like that's my dream like that's my dream so that's what I wanted I've really just wanted 10 songs and but you know they uh they pushed for 12 but I just wanted 10 but yeah that's basically how it happened. What happened to the other songs? So we released an EP called Away Message right before.

And then I'm going to drop like a Christmas album, I think. That has nothing to do with Christmas. That's a great time to put out some music, though. You want to give Mariah no competition? No, no, stop. I wish. What? No.

No one could ever be competition to Mariah. She's everything. I want to ask you about something you said earlier. You said that your dad used to always tell you, you're going to be something. You're going to be something. Does that put added pressure on a daughter? Wow. No.

I think that's probably, you know what? It sucks because we're not even speaking right now. Ew. What's going on? Okay, so we're not even speaking right now. Ew. What's going on? Okay, so we're not even speaking right now, but I do feel like when you instill certain things like that, it really does go a long way. It goes a long way for sure because that is the one area in my life

where I feel like I did really good all right now with you and your dad not not speaking is it something small that you can call and like because life is so short it's so much shit it's so much shit so like it um i really think it's important for like people to be healed when they're bringing kids into this world. I agree. Because it's just like that alone. I feel like probably innately helped me in so many ways, like always grinding and shit like that. But I could also see the other shit like, you know, that I carry.

And it's and it's I'm sure it has to do with the other shit you know that you go through trauma and shit well let me let me tell you something I learned in therapy because the first time I had a breakthrough in therapy was literally realizing all the daddy issues I had yeah so when me and my dad had a conversation and I realized damn he was a human before he was my dad and he had his own issues, substance abuse issues, dealing with mental health issues, and he was just doing the best he could with what he had at the time, it allowed me to give him a lot more grace.

Yes. We got to give our parents grace. I know. And I feel like there needs to be a lot of group therapy. Absolutely. And, of course, I want to continue my therapy alone, but I think that would probably be best because I know these are things I'm even carrying into my dating life.

You know what I'm saying? And I just don't want to have that weight on me. And I do want to be more compassionate because he went through a lot, you know, with foster care and abandonment issues and all kinds of like dark things. So I do recognize like why he is the way that he is. And our generation is the generation, we're the first generation I think that has the luxury of healing. Yeah. You know, even though my dad went to therapy two and three times a week and he tried to kill himself 30

years ago, he was on 10 to 12 different medications for his mental health, but he never told me those things. Wow. We're healing out loud. Right. You know? Right. There's no instruction manual when it comes to kids. Whoa, man.

I know Charlamagne has four kids, I have six. Wow. And it's something different with each kid, you know, and we just try to figure it out. You know Charlamagne has four kids. I have six. Wow. And it's something different with each kid. You know, we just try to figure it out. You know, some kids, you know, I'm from the era where, you know, my parents beat me and said, sit in the corner if you get something wrong. Right. But we don't do that to these kids now because they speak for it. We know better.

Like Ari said. It's so easy to traumatize a child with the most little things, like something you say, like, and it's amazing. There's this quote. I literally just saw this this morning, and I do this all the time with my kids, but the quote is, apologize to your children when you lose your cool. They don't understand why you're upset, and they deserve an explanation and an apology. It doesn't matter that they're little.

They're little humans, too. Communicating with them will make it easier for them to talk to you one day. Yes, yes, yes. And you've been really Yes, yes, yes. And you've been really open about going to therapy. When did you decide that that was something you wanted to do? This year, I was just tired of just being a big ball of, like, traumas, like, just being unaware of, like, what was going on inside.

And, like, you know, a lot of times I could be so triggered and it's just like well why and and now I'm realizing I've now I see like why somebody's just pretending like I don't exist or like not even looking at me or like kind of having like this arrogant nature can be so triggering like where did I see Like, earlier in my life or experience that, like, I'm starting to realize it never stops. It's like a cycle. Like, if you don't realize that you're carrying

all of this weight, it comes out in different ways. And people be like, why is she freaked out? It wasn't even that serious. It was a reminder. It was a flashback, probably. A trigger.

A trigger without even realizing where it came from. And there's always something in our childhood. Yeah. Always something that happened in our childhood. And it brings you. It happens to you in adult. And when it happens, you get triggered.

You're like, oh, that's what that's why therapy is great. Like, oh, that's why I'm reacting like this. What happened here? Yes. And it's been really beautiful and like eye opening for sure. Are you healing those childhood wounds? Oh, definitely. I want to keep going deeper um i want to go deeper with it but yeah this this start is happening for sure and you said you see a lot of that um in the relationships that you have now

like what are some things and patterns like i know you said you want to be more sympathetic so what are some things that you feel like, okay, I got to work on this? Damn. Things I got to work on? Probably how I'm communicating. I'm a very anxious person. So, like, basically instead of saying, I've said this before,

but instead of saying, like, nobody cares, like, it's just about, well, you know know I feel like this is how I'm feeling like you know that I'm not being heard or you know what I'm saying like I try to work on how I'm communicating because I get so kind of in my own anxiety and mess that I can kind of be a little insensitive sometimes. So I just want to work on like that. And when it comes to performing and getting on stage, are you the type of person who gets nervous before that? Or does it all go away and that's where you feel most comfortable? You know, most times I have most times I rarely get nervous like that nervous.

I think it's just you get used to it. But certain things like TV performances, I like I'm shaking like I'm so freaking nervous. It's like certain things are like going on stage with Summer Walker and when we did our show, when she did her show in LA and I came on her set, I was so freaking scared. Like it's just certain things, or Jasmine, Jasmine, like when we performed at the BET Awards,

like horrified. Like I don't want to let this legend down. Like Jasmine Sullivan is everything. So, yeah. Question, when you get triggered by secret rappers do you remember the struggle rapper who traumatized you oh so many so many people will never hear of like they just they won't say it until like you like them and it's just like oh I'm about to go

to the studio like when what's to do people ever act like they don't know who you are when they want to date you and act like oh my god like hey what do you do you know and act like they're not sure who you are yeah I've I've been they'll never admit it, but I've definitely been in a relationship where he acted like I was not who I am at all. That's ridiculous. Yeah. And I and I I was trying to like feel appreciated. And it was it was he kept trying to say it was just it's ego. He kept trying to say it was just, it's ego. Like, you know, it's not all about you type thing. But really, I just felt like he always kind of diminished everything about me.

You know, like kind of pretended like this singing part didn't even exist. I hate people like that. Don't try to make me feel small because you're dick, Lou. Yeah. Oh, my God. I mean like that. I'm not saying that literally. Oh, my gosh. i didn't mean that literally but you know what i mean people that try to make uh us feel small just because they haven't done

what they want to do in life yeah yeah i Yeah. I guess so, but now I know. What if his dick is big? Is it okay for him to make it look like that? Oh, shut up, Yee. Jesus. But now I know, like, I just, my goal is just to date nice people. Like, I just want to make sure whoever I'm dating is nice. And now I know, like, the red flags of, like, okay, this person is mean.

And stay away from the mean. It's got to be hard, though, because you're Ari Lennox now. So you don't know who likes you for you or who likes you because you're a superstar. Yeah, where are you meeting these guys? Where are you meeting these guys besides the, you know, Plenty of Fish? Like, where are you meeting these individuals? Well, the other day I met a guy at a fashion show. That was really nice.

And he was so fine. But the date was terrible. How did he kick it to you? But what was terrible? The date was just not. His dress was probably better than yours. Oh, no. Especially if you met him in New York at fashion.

No, he did not have on a dress. So how did he kick it to you? How did he kick it to you? He sees you there. You're sitting there. He walks over. He actually. You got to get by your security first.

Well, we were sitting in a seat and he, oh dang, I don't want nobody to show that those pictures. She's sitting next to you. Well, I won't tell you which fashion show. Yeah, I can stop now. What was your... He reached out and introduced himself

and shook hands and it was really cute and sweet. And where was the first date? The first date? I ain't gonna tell you. Yeah, calm down. I was curious if y'all went to a restaurant.

It was a lovely restaurant. It really was, but he was late. He was late to the date. What traffic is bad during Fashion Week? Nah, he's supposed to be there all the time.

Isn't it Fashion Week now? He was hanging out with J. Cole and... What? So it's a rapper? No, that's what I'm saying. Why was he hanging out with J. Cole? My dating life... Her whole team is like,

stop! My dating life is just... It's just not it. It's just not. How can we find... Let me see. Maybe a referral from somebody. If you have friends and they're like, my boy. Because I think that's good when people can vet someone out

and be like, he's actually really cool. He's got his own thing going on. I'm not that desperate. I don't want it. I don't want a referral. I just really want to be at the grocery store.

I want to be at the grocery store. Do you go to the grocery store? Yeah, all the time. You don't order your groceries online? Oh, I do. I do love me some Instacart, but I, yeah, I go to Giant and Safeway. Maybe you should drive Uber again.

Drive Uber. Drive Uber again. Maybe just stop looking for a man. Just set an intention and let God work it out. I kind of stopped. I definitely stopped. But then I got on Raya again. So I don't know.

I don't know. I want to see what Raya's like. It's kind of cute. Because there's a lot of people that are on there that are like, some people don't believe it's them either. Yeah. You know? Yeah. I believe it's them. And it's me.

So, hey. Here I am. What about somebody from the past that you've known? Like John. John's going to be lit after this, so you might as well. You done made him famous. I know. Well, it's the least I could do is shout him out.

He really helped me with that writing. And I don't hate him anymore. I really do. He's an anymore. Yeah, I really care about him. I mean, he was so sweet. When I lived in Atlanta for a while, he helped me move into my apartment.

Like, it's just little things like that. Like, just a genuine man. So I have no beef with him anymore. Like, I'm very forgiving. Like, if you're nice to me, I'll be nice to you. But if you treat me like shit, it's like, damn, like. I get it. Yeah, it's like, why are we being mean to each other?

Like, human to human, like, why can't we be nice? We spend all this time together. Like, why does it have to end so terribly, you know? John, I just want to tell you, don't be corny, okay? Just be cool. You might have a chance.

Don't do no Instagram Live after this interview, please. No, no. He's so cool laid back. He hates the spotlight, so. Oh, that's perfect. Yeah. But no, not for me.

It's not. We, he went and got married. Oh. Oh, God. You got to lead with that. No, he's not married anymore. Oh, not for me. He went and got married. Oh, you got to lead with that. No, he's not married anymore. Okay, okay. But unfortunately, yeah. And he's doing his own thing. I'm looking for, you know, I don't know what the hell.

But if you wanted to, you could. If you wanted to, you could. No, no, no. That's like so close So close He's sweet, but it's Let's talk about the music What was your intention with this album? The intention was just me showcasing

Dating in its entirety from See, I was trying to get away from dating But you just brought us right back Oh, I know It's on subject It's all right It's on subject And it's where you are

You know what? A lot of people can relate to you. That's one of the main questions people ask. How do you find somebody? Yeah. Like somebody good, somebody nice, you know, somebody with potential to be in a real relationship. Do you think about marriage?

Like are you dating with the intention to get married? Yes, how you find somebody probably is finding yourself, really. And so that's really what i'm focused on i got a little distracted with that recent date and then i was like well let me see what else is out here but i think i'm gonna pull back into like myself and just kind of like change my number and just focus on you know more more beautiful books on trauma and just focus on me. Oh, I got a great one for you.

I might have it in here. Resmaa Minicum, My Grandmother's Hands. Really? Yeah. Do we have any in there, Eddie? Okay. We also have a Marianne Unbothered book in here, too. Oh, wow.

Is that about dramas? There you go. He does seem very unbothered. Oh, wow. He looks so adorable. Okay. He's single. All right. Oh, no, no, no. I'm kidding. I'm adorable. Okay. He's single.

Oh, no, no, no. I'm kidding. She should get a book back. Damn. I don't want nothing. No problem. No, no. You don't have to get the book back. No singers.

No singers. No rappers. What about ballplayers? You said earlier, oh, if he played basketball, he doesn't mention that. Maybe a soccer player would be nice. Go with the money at, my G. Go with the money at. Is that where the money at?

Football. That's where the money at. Football is where the money at. That's where the real money at. Soccer. Okay. I didn't know that. I'm not a bird.

I'm not a bird. No. We have intentions. See? Wow. That's all. That's all. Now, did you finish your thought on the intentions of this album?

The intention of the album is just a lot of crushes. I mean, just making beautiful music that sounds like I'm in love based on crushes of people I've never even hung out with before. Like Mean Mug and Hoodie, crushes on fine men that I never even hung out with. And then it gets to blocking you towards the end. It gets to blocking you. And that's where I'm at right now with it, like in real life.

But yeah, it's just dating and the emotions. And towards the end of the album, I'm definitely more about like, OK, it's time to protect my peace. Like no one's going to do that for me. And I find it irresponsible to be moving around in life with all of these unhealed traumas and trying to get to know people. So I just, you know, I want to

check some things, some codependency things and anxiety things. That's powerful. Do you block people fast? You talk about blocking. Do you block people fast? If they ignore you, just block them?

I do. Like one time, one time this guy was like, he was like, I felt that there was distance happening and I was like, hey, can we talk? I feel like something is changing.

He was like, all right, you know what? No, he was like, I thought we were good. I thought everything was good. You know what i know he was like i thought we were good i thought everything was good um you know what just need to get something to eat i'm gonna call you right back and so i got on the phone with my dad and we me and my dad talked for like two hours and i didn't hear from the guy and i'm looking at my phone like wow like and so i blocked him after that i blocked the guy after that was it And that was it, right? You haven't spoken to him since?

We spoke one time since then. So you're a quick blocker. Had he eaten yet? Yeah. Had he eaten? I'll never know. I mean, if he ever had anything to eat. But, yeah, I'm sure for some reason I'm attracting avoidant people who don't know how to communicate well.

Well, you're probably attracting what you are. That's why what you said about, you know, healing your own trauma before you get into another situation is so important. That right there, that's better than money. You know how we all, you know, I was about to say, you know how we always say you need a man with money. But you know what I mean? I do want that.

But you really want a man that is doing the work like you're doing the work. I got so many homegirls that say I can't date a man if they're not in therapy, if they're not trying to heal. Wow. Yeah. Yeah. And that's what I would want for myself, a secure individual and or someone who is striving to be secure and healing

as well as I am healing and trying to heal. So, yeah. Do you feel like this album is healing for you? Yeah, I do believe so. healing as well as I am healing and trying to heal. So, yeah. Do you feel like this album was healing for you? Yeah, I do believe so. It's definitely me being more firm about my standards. Like, at least, like, eventually, like, the eye-opening, like, okay, there's a problem here. Like, I keep romanticizing romance so much so that I'm neglecting'm neglecting my own needs and shit.

It's just time to heal. It's time to set my standards and be okay with being single. I wanted to ask you, what did you think? You are one of the leaders of this new R&B era. What did you think of Diddy's comments that R&B is dead? I thought it was dismissive to all of the amazing,

incredible, legendary artists that have been in the game and that are also contributing. I mean, from Mary J. Blige to Jasmine Sullivan to Summer Walker to Ella Mai to Money Long, Van Jess, you know.

Lucky Day. Lucky Day, Aaron Ray. There's so many of us. Tanariel. Brent Fires. Brent Fires, Jalen Jossie. And forgive me if I'm. Her. Her, yes, yes.

You know. SZA still working. SZA, like everyone is still killing it and dropping music. And it was dismissive just because, I don't know. Scott SZA, like everyone is still killing it and dropping music. And it was dismissive just because, I don't know. Tank. Gotta say Tank. Yeah, Tank.

Exactly. Amazing. Yeah, I don't know why he said that. It was not nice. All right. But I do love all that he's contributed to music. So it's no shade. But it's like, be more nice to the people that are really, you know, we're out here still.

Like, stop it. All right. I often wonder, when you was young trying to get on, what did you think the industry would be like? And what have you realized, you know, it really is? Wow. Oh. What did I think it was going to be like?

I don't remember. I just knew I just saw Bow Wow up there and JoJo, and I just wanted to be like them. Like, when I was young, just wanted to be like them. Or, you know, just listening to Mariah Carey, I wanted to be like her, you know. What did I think? I don't know what I thought.

Like, maybe I thought there was going to be, like, going to be a lot of devil people, Illuminati. I've yet to see that. I thought there would be a lot of cocaine. I've yet to see the rooms with... No one's ever seen cocaine. I've never seen it before. Are you waiting to sacrifice a family member or something? No, I'm not waiting.

I promise. I don't want to sacrifice. I think I've never seen cocaine before either. No. Yeah, exactly. I've been offered it, but I've never seen it. Wow. I've never been offered.

I don't believe it. I've never been offered cocaine. I think I've been offered it twice in my life. Wow. But they didn't have it in their hand. Wow. They were like, do you party? Yeah.

Then I have been offered it before then. Well, yes, you have. In a bathroom. Yes, that's what that meant. Oh, my God. You've been offered cocaine. I have been offered cocaine. then. In a bathroom. Yes, that's what that meant. Oh, my God. You've been offered cocaine. I have been offered cocaine. It's called a party party.

I didn't take it. Well, you know what? We need a 10-second break right fast because your stylist wants to fix your hair, so we'll count it down. 10. Oh, I'm a publicist. Oh, publicist. 10.

9. I can't tell. You do everything. Thank you. You're multi-hyphenate. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. All right. Now we're back. We've never had that before in the middle of an interview. Now, cocaine. Cocaine. We-hyphenate. Five, four, three, two, one. All right, now we're back.

We never had that before in the middle of an interview. Now, cocaine. Cocaine. We're back to cocaine. Yeah, cocaine. But Ari Lennox, do you know how beautiful you are? Oh, thank you, yes. I do.

You do? I do. I promise I do. All right, I just want to make sure. Yeah. Thank you. You are beautiful, but have you realized what the industry actually is? What is it now? What is it? If somebody said to you, Ari, what, but have you realized what the industry actually is? What is it now?

If somebody said to you, alright, what is the industry? What is the industry? Well, what does that mean? What do you mean? Just in general. People that aren't on, they want to know what the inside of the industry looks like. Well, it can be

very sweet. It can be cutthroat. It can be depressing. Honestly, the industry. Yeah, that's everything in life. But it's it's really not just the industry. It's I guess it's what you surround yourself with. If you're online all the time, you're going to see you're going to experience some negative things like with anything too much of anything. You're going to see some negative things. Like with anything, too much of anything, you're going to see some negative things. And I think it depends on who you are too. Some people are really in the mix. Like I work with Jay Electronica.

He is like not around anyone ever. You know, he's like in Mexico working. You know, and I think it depends on what you decide

your boundaries are and what you, and I don't see Ari Lennox like out all the time doing cocaine. Really? Thank you. Yeah, I don't see you like out like out all the time doing cocaine. Really? Thank you. I don't see you like out doing cocaine with people and you know how some people have like friends that they're like

oh this is my bestie and one day they're best friends with this person and I don't see you doing things like that. What friends do you have out that's doing cocaine? Well we just were talking about it you know because some people think that like you said some people think the industry is like you said, you know, people doing cocaine and devilish things. But it really is. All my friends. All your friends are in the room.

Oh, my God. We do appreciate you. We appreciate your music. And, you know, we were kind of I was kind of hurt when you said you didn't want to do interviews anymore. I was like, don't let one bad, you know, interaction with somebody mess up somebody else, you know. And I'm glad you're over that and I'm glad you're doing interviews again. Thank you. I want people to understand that was just a part of my anxious nature of, like, what I meant earlier when I was just like, nobody cares. I kind of worst case scenario and jumped to like the extreme. I'm kind of black and white with things.

That's what anxiety is. Yeah, and I definitely didn't mean that. I was just so heartbroken by the fact that he would release something that we didn't agree on him releasing. And I just kind of felt ambushed you know so yeah I got one more question what would a perfect music career look like to you to keep to keep you in a good space mentally and emotionally oh wow perfect I would say just I don't know, man. Like, maybe, I don't know. To keep being able to do soul and to make a billion dollars doing soul.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know it's maybe surfaced in basic, but I mean. But not everything that comes with it. Probably just release the music, but not the fame. Not the fame, not the heartbreak or the clout chasing energies or just literally just I'm creating music with my soul, which is creating a space where people can heal and have peace listening to my music.

But also I can pay off my mom's bills. I can pay off my bills and My family, my true circle, I just want to make sure they're good for life. That would be a dream. Are you on tour to promote that project? Eventually, I will be in January, I believe, maybe. So shout out to Rob, Gibbs, and we'll see. Let's get into a record off the album.

What you want to hear? Oh, I guess Boy Bye, because that's a real sexy record. I love this. Lucky Day is awesome. I can't wait to see you on TV and movies, too. I see that in your future as well. That's so sweet. Yeah, we need to get with Shonda Rhimes and do this miniseries,

How to Get Away with Rapping. Oh, my God, stop with rapping oh my god about secret struggle rappers i know it would be brilliant that's what we're gonna do thriller yes please well ari lennox thank you for joining us it wasn't that bad it was beautiful energy wow see that and we we prayed before we came in yeah you talked so damn much because we held why why you talk so much why do you talk so much. Why do you talk so damn much? Because we held hands. Why? Why do you talk so much? As a big family. Why do you talk so much? Yes. Why do you talk so much? Because I love you. I do feel the peace.

You don't love me back? No, not today. You talk too much. You guys, this is about Ari Lennox, not about y'all's That's what I'm trying to tell him. No, I just said we prayed together as a family. What are you talking about?

Oh, God. We set an intention before the interview. That's what we did. Thank you. Yeah, salute to Ms. Kelly. Don't date radio personalities either, Ari. I felt that. What did you say?

So don't ever date a radio personality either. I promise I won't. Okay. Thank you. Yeah, salute to Miss Kelly. Don't date radio personalities either. I felt that. What'd you say? So don't ever date a radio personality either. I promise I won't. Okay. Almost did. I won't. Really? No, no, no. That's all.

See, the interview's about to be over. Now you're crying. You want to go there? Tell the tea. No more. You can't do that. That's payola. Yeah?

Really? Oh, my God. Okay. Okay. All right. I'll keep that in mind. No, I don't do that. That's payola. Yeah? Really? Oh, my God. Okay. Okay. All right. I'll keep that in mind. No, I don't want that.

It's Ari Lennox. Why are you playing Ari so much? No. 200 spins? No. In a week? It's Ari Lennox. It's the Breakfast Club. Good morning. had enough of this country ever dreamt about starting your own? I planted the flag.

This is mine. I own this. It's surprisingly easy. 55 gallons of water, 500 pounds of concrete. Or maybe not. No country willingly gives up their territory. Oh my God. What is that?

Bullets. Listen to Escape from Zakistan. That's Escape from Z-A-Q-istan on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Mike Tyson's journey to recovery reminds us that no fight is easy. With every bump he started, each setback and moments that could have broken him, he kept pushing forward. I never knew what the spiral was coming up in my life. I never knew I was going to go in there deep. There's hopelessness.

And how so many millions of people feel like that but have no help. Listen to the CINO Show on America's number my podcast, Post Run High, is all about. Sit down with my guests and dive even deeper into their stories, their journeys, and the thoughts that arise once we've hit the pavement together. Listen to Post Run High on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, Beau. Hey, Matt. Can you believe we have a whole bunch of Wicked episodes coming up? Oh, I can't wait to share all of these amazing episodes with the readers,

KDs, publicists, and finalists. That's right. We're talking all things behind bringing this iconic musical to the big screen. And of course,

we're taking you inside the world of this epic movie with all the exclusive details you won't hear anywhere else. It's Wicked in a way you've never heard before.

Don't miss it. And be sure to go watch Wicked in theaters starting November 22nd. Listen to The Lost Culture East on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hello, my undeadly darlings. It's Teresa, your resident ghost host. And do I have a treat for you.

Haunting is crawling out from the shadows, and it's going to be devilishly good. We've got chills, thrills, and stories that'll make you wish the lights stayed on. So join me, won't you? Let's dive into the eerie unknown together. Sleep tight, if you can. Listen to Haunting on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.