Photos by Andy Argyrakis

It didn’t take long for steaming superstar Ari Lennox to become the flagship female signing to J. Cole’s Dreamville label, and by the release of her 2022 sophomore project “Age/Sex/Location,” she’s become a full-fledged R&B A-lister.

The alluring singer and bravely authentic songwriter brought tons of those tunes, alongside a bounty from 2019’s “Shea Butter Baby,” to a swooning and super sold out House Of Blues, also the site of a second show on Friday, March 10.

As her popularity explodes, it won’t be long before Lennox is headlining arenas and the beautiful, swanky set she brought to the downtown hotspot certainly foreshadowed that type of trajectory.

But ever present in the moment, this Grammy-nominated modern soul great poured every ounce of emotion into captivating the crowd on hand, setting the sultry mood via “A/S/L (Interlude)” and gradually introducing the plentiful beats of a three-piece band and harmonies of three background vocalists, all of whom were frequently featured.

“POF,” “Waste My Time” and “Stop By” were just a few from the front of the 75-minute set for “literally one of my favorite cities ever,” which made “Chicago Boy” all the more perfect of a performance choice.

She made sure to share another shout-out in the form of “we wouldn’t be here without my shea butter babies,” prompting sing-a-longs through “New Apartment” and “Whipped Cream,” prior to “I Been” brilliantly incorporating the piano flavors of Elton John’s “Bennie And The Jets.”

Following many additional instances of either chilled out sensuality or throbbing grooves, Lennox wrapped with the chart-topping “Pressure,” turning up the heat on House Of Blues, who in turn enveloped her in much-deserved praises.

For additional information on Ari Lennox, visit AriLennox.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at House Of Blues include Kang Daniel (Mar. 9); Ari Lennox (Mar. 10); Gaelic Storm & The High Kings (Mar. 11); Colony House (Mar. 14); Kenia Os (Mar. 15); Emotional Oranges (Mar. 17); Joshua Bassett (Mar. 18); Our Last Night (Mar. 20); Gimme Gimme Disco (Mar. 24); Steel Panther (Mar. 25); Death To All (Mar. 29); Nick Cannon’s “Next Superstar” and The Taylor Party (Mar. 31). For additional details, visit LiveNation.com.

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