We love us some Ari Lennox. And we especially love it when she gets feisty and fiery with her real talk version of soul. After getting sensual and sexy on last year’s “Get Close,” Ari is back in her fed-up bag and is letting it be known on her latest single “Smoke.”
Produced by Bongo ByTheWay, “Smoke” takes Ari into Motown sound territory with a spirited soul sample that sounds like it was pulled directly from the esteemed label’s vaults. The singer also makes sure to ace the assignment with soulful vocals that fit the era the sample is reaching out for.
It’s her lyrics, however, that are most definitely going to make this one stand out. You see, Ari wants it to be known that you’ve picked the wrong one on the right day and will get all the smoke if you cross her. The opening verse intimates that she’s on her last frayed nerve, while the song’s pre-chorus urges us to “f**k around, find out” about her temperament. It’s on the chorus, however, where she really opens up her voice to make her point as the instrumental swells.
“Save all your f**ks for me / I want all the smoke, baby,” she sings. “Save all your f**ks for me / Better not give that s**t away.”
She gets even more into the spirit of the song with the Chris Robinson-directed visuals. We see the singer getting committed to Shady Grove Institute, where she proves to be a very difficult mental patient. She refuses to take her meds, she runs around with her rear end exposed and she gives the orderlies the blues. Somehow, though, she manages to get a spot in the asylum’s karaoke talent show. It’s an opportunity that she and a few fellow patients use to gain freedom as they speed away from the hospital. Or do they? That’s a twist that you’ll just have to f**k around and find out when you watch.
If you aren’t afraid of a little smoke, then get into the latest fire from Ari Lennox when you listen to the explicit and edited versions of “Smoke” and watch the visual below.