Ari Lennox is an American R&B singer who is currently embarking on a tour across North America. As one of the hottest acts in R&B right now, there has been a lot of excitement and speculation around who Ari might have opening for her on this tour.
Ari Lennox’s Background
Ari Lennox first rose to prominence in 2016 when she was the first woman signed to J. Cole’s record label Dreamville Records. In 2019, she released her debut studio album “Shea Butter Baby” to critical acclaim. The album debuted at number 14 on the Billboard 200 chart and was nominated for Best R&B Album at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards.
Since the release of “Shea Butter Baby,” Ari has continued to grow her fanbase with her soulful, jazz-infused take on contemporary R&B. She has collaborated with artists like J. Cole and John Legend and performed on major stages like the Soul Train Music Awards, BET Awards, and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
The Shea Butter Baby Tour
In 2022, Ari Lennox announced she would be headlining the Shea Butter Baby Tour in support of her album. The tour kicked off in May 2022 in Phoenix, AZ and is scheduled to wrap up in November 2022 in Atlanta, GA.
The tour has featured stops in major cities across the US and Canada like Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, Toronto and more. At each tour stop, Ari has been playing to sold-out crowds of adoring fans singing along to hits like “BMO,” “Whipped Cream,” and “Up Late.”
Who is Opening for Ari on Tour?
With Ari Lennox’s rising popularity, fans have been highly anticipating who she might choose to bring on tour as her opening acts. Opening slots on tours like this are coveted, as they provide huge exposure for up-and-coming artists.
After much speculation, Ari’s opener was announced to be R&B singer Muni Long.
Muni Long
Muni Long is a 33-year old R&B and soul singer-songwriter from Florida. She has been making music for over a decade but recently broke through in 2021 with her hit single “Hrs and Hrs.” The song went viral on TikTok and peaked at #16 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
In April 2022, Muni Long released her EP “Public Displays of Affection” which included the popular singles “Time Machine” and “Baby Boo.” Her music is defined by vulnerable songwriting, strong vocal runs, and throwback soul inspiration.
Muni Long brings a similar old-school R&B vibe to her music as Ari Lennox, making her an excellent choice as Ari’s opening act. This opportunity will allow Muni to introduce her music to Ari’s fanbase and gain even more buzz as an emerging artist.
In addition to her own headlining set each night, Muni will sometimes join Ari on stage for duets of songs like “Hrs and Hrs” and “Time Machine.” Their musical chemistry and vocal talent shines through in these collaborations.
Why Muni Long is a Great Opening Act Choice
There are several factors that make Muni Long the perfect opening act for the Shea Butter Baby Tour:
- Their music styles align seamlessly, which creates cohesion during the show.
- Muni Long’s songs have gone viral on TikTok, bringing out younger fans who may not be familiar with Ari Lennox yet.
- Muni Long is still up-and-coming, so the exposure from the tour will be very valuable for her career.
- Longtime Ari Lennox fans are excited to discover and support Muni Long’s music.
- Muni Long has the vocal talent to command the stage and warm up the crowd for Ari.
Based on Muni Long’s growing popularity and her synergistic musical style with Ari Lennox, she is poised to be a breakout opening act on the Shea Butter Baby Tour.
How Fans are Responding
So far, fans have been responding very positively to Muni Long as Ari’s tour opener. Muni has been winning over concert crowds each night with her incredible voice and charm on stage. Ari Lennox fans are happily showing their support for Muni across social media:
Fan Tweet |
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“Muni Long’s voice is unreal! What a talent, so glad I got to discover her music opening for Ari Lennox tonight.” |
“The combo of Muni and Ari on tour is perfect! Two of the best new voices in R&B, so soulful and talented.” |
“Didn’t know much about Muni Long before but now I’m OBSESSED. Girl can sang!” |
It’s clear that the pairing of these two rising R&B songstresses has been a huge hit with fans so far. Muni Long has proven to be a phenomenal choice to kick off the show each night and introduce fans to her artistry.
The Rest of the Tour
Muni Long will continue opening the Shea Butter Baby Tour as Ari Lennox makes her way across the US. Upcoming tour stops include Dallas, Atlanta, and Washington DC before Ari concludes the tour in mid-November.
Now that Muni Long has been warmly welcomed by Ari Lennox’s fanbase, she is sure to gain many new supporters who will follow her own blossoming career. This tour provides the perfect platform for both Muni and Ari to continue honing their live performances and connecting with R&B lovers.
The Shea Butter Baby Tour with Ari Lennox and Muni Long is undoubtedly one of the hottest R&B shows to catch this year. If you get a chance to see them live, it will be a can’t-miss evening of soulful sounds.