March has been a great month so far for music lovers, with countless new hip-hop and R&B artists delivering singles and projects near-constantly. This weekend in particular saw some exciting arrivals for the latter genre, such as Usher’s “GLU” and Tamar Braxton’s “Changed.” Additionally, Alex Vaughn came through with The Hurtbook (Homegirl Pack), an updated version of her featureless project from last fall.
Rather than conquer the tracklist on her own this time around, the vocalist connected with several talented female starlets. Her LVRN labelmate Summer Walker appears on “So Be It – Remix,” while Muni Long joined her for the uber-catchy “IYKYK.” Elsewhere, Washington, D.C. native Ari Lennox put her vocals to work on the “Demon Time – Remix,” which finds both singers sharing their salacious thoughts over a beat that will make you wish you were bumping and grinding with your boo.
Ari Lennox Reimagines Alex Vaughn’s “Demon Time” with Sultry New Lyrics
“Don’t fight what you feelin’, babe / No need for you to hesitate,” Vaughn tempts her potential lover on the pre-chorus. “It’s taboo the things you make me say / I’m no psychic but I know what you need.” Afterward, she continues to sing about their sex game being “criminal,” ultimately causing her to “overflow.”
For Lennox’s part, she too didn’t hold back on bringing the sex appeal to the collaboration. “Appetite / Got an appetite for this jaguar / Climb that tree tonight,” she croons in metaphors. “Talking to some dudes, but I’m f*ckin’ you / Satisfied.” While she’s admitted to having issues with finding love in real life, in her dreams, the Dreamville leading lady clearly has some wild fantasies she’s hoping to indulge in ASAP.
Stream Alex Vaughn and Ari Lennox’s “Demon Time – Remix” on YouTube above. Afterward, read more about the former’s The Hurtbook (Homegirl Pack) project here. For more new release recommendations, head over to our weekly R&B Season playlist update to hear the latest from 6LACK, Usher, and more.
Quotable Lyrics:
Alone tonight I’m alone tonight, I’m on demon time And you’re on my mind Got an attitude but you still came through ‘Cause you know it’s fire
Last October, Alex Vaughn blessed our ears with The Hurtbook, on which her sweet and soulful voice rings out over eight featureless tracks. After leaving that to digest with listeners through late 2022 and into the new year, she returned this New Music Friday (March 17), with the Homegirl Pack version of her project, which boasts some seriously impressive guest features. For one, we hear her LVRN labelmate Summer Walker on the “So Be It (Remix),” which has already been streamed upwards of 4.5 million times on Spotify.
Dreamville’s own Ari Lennox comes through on the next title, “Demon Time (Remix),” which beautifully blends her voice with Vaughn as they trade raunchy verses over the silky smooth beat. “Love it when I’m drippin’ on you, grabbin’ on my neck / Watchin’ you, watchin’ mе, I’m the best you evеr had,” the “Needs” songstress croons on the refrain.
Alex Vaughn and Ari Lennox are Operating on “Demon Time”
For her part, Lennox sings about her incessant hunger for a jaguar, whom she’s willing to climb a tree for. “Talking to some dudes, but I’m f*ckin’ you / Satisfied / Oven toast you right for that creamy pipe / Let it stay inside,” her flirtatious lyrics continue before both women come together to make music magic on the chorus.
Elsewhere on her updated project, Vaughn tapped singer-songwriter Muni Long to help her with “IYKYK.” As expected from the two beauties, the track is quickly picking up traction and earning the praise it deserves online. “Thank you so much @arilennox @munilong @summerwalker for sharing your gifts w me on this project,” the young starlet wrote on Instagram earlier this weekend. “I am so grateful. y’all are SUPERHEROS.”
Stream Alex Vaughn’s “Demon Time” collaboration with Ari Lennox on YouTube above. Afterward, tell us what your top three favourite tracks from The Hurtbook (Homegirl Pack) are in the comments. For more release recommendations, be sure to check out our weekly R&B Season update here.
Today Alex Vaughn released her new EP, The Homegirl Pack, otherwise titled The Hurtbook. The rising songwriter and singer has prepared collaborations with many prominent women in the R&B community that will be joining her for the Homegirl pack. Below we’ll be giving all the details we know, including who is involved, a release date, and special tracks included.
The Homegirl Pack, or the Hurtbook, is a project recently unveiled by Alex Vaughn that celebrates independence, self-love, and self-discovery. The contents include six tracks, many of which collaborate with other women in the music industry. Alex Vaughn has been making a great impact and letting her voice shine out since the release of her debut EP “The Shift.” Since that time in 2018, she has been a great representation of what it means to be a strong woman in the industry with her empowering lyrics and soulful subtleties.
Since 2018, Alex has gained public acclaim and a slew of fans. Her most recent release through The Hurtbook (Homegirl Pack) emphasizes more of her common themes, promoting elegance, independence, and the pride of being honest with both oneself and others. Self-love is the name of the game thematically in Homegirl Pack.
The Homegirl Pack is just as it sounds, an inspiring project that celebrates not only the beauty of self-growth, but self-love and friendship. With her encouraging lyrics, Alex continues to make her voice heard through an empowering mantra in her projects. The album speaks to women everywhere, reminding us that it’s good to have some friends in our corner throughout life.
What is the inspiration behind The Homegirl Pack?
Alex Vaugh’s latest project is set to shed light on the importance of having a tribe. That is to say, sisters, friends, and other members of the female ‘race.’ Throughout her life, Alex Vaugh has had many female friends and family members that have supported not only in her career as a musician but in her life as a woman.
As both a woman and someone working in the music industry, she understands the importance of having a group of women and friends who can lift her up while encouraging her to do more to reach her full potential. The entire project is a devoted tribute to relationships in her life and the impact they have on her both as an artist and a person.
The Tracklist
The Homegirl Pack features six different tracks, all of which have diverse points and beats. However, they all come together to create a thematic unity throughout the Homegirl Pack, giving evidence to the artistry behind the making. The tracks are as follows:
‘Come Thru’ – a sultry and infectious track that invites listeners to come hang out with the homegirls. It makes for a great opening track to the entire album and is sure to make for an ear worm.
‘Rockin’ Wit U’ – a smooth and soulful ballad that celebrates the beauty of Black love and relationships. Helping build the pacing of the entire album, this track slows things down.
‘Faded’ – a vulnerable and introspective track that explores the highs and lows of life and relationships. Now that we’re into the album, Faded presents a great moody track for listeners to get into.
‘Mood’ – a feel-good anthem that encourages listeners to embrace their individuality and live their best lives. It really is a mood.
‘Gotta Have It’ – a bold and confident track that affirms Alex Vaughn’s independence and self-worth. This is one of the standout tracks, besides the last song which claims the album’s name.
‘Homegirl’ – the title track, which serves as a love letter to the homegirls who have supported Alex Vaughn throughout her journey.
‘The Homegirl Pack’ features collaborations with some of Alex Vaughn’s close friends and fellow artists. The EP includes features from artists such as Ari Lennox, Pink Sweat$, and Ye Ali, who each bring their unique sound and perspective to the project. Speaking about The Hurtbook, Vaughn said,The project started off as a compilation of thoughts from an old relationship but grew into a quilted map of patterns and events that applied to more than just romance. It’s about being honest with yourself and how you feel about those changes that are happening. Most importantly it’s a reminder that though these series of events may have hurt you, you are not broken.”
The Visuals
In addition to the music, ‘The Homegirl Pack’ also features stunning visuals that bring the project to life. The music videos for ‘Come Thru’ and ‘Rockin’ Wit U’ showcase Alex Vaughn’s artistry and creativity, while the cover art for the EP features a beautiful and empowering image of black women supporting each other.
Ari Lennox’sAge/Sex/Location Tour kicked off a few days ago in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is receiving rave reviews from attendees. With this 27-city North American tour intentionally being her last full-length tour, fans are urged to know which of her songs will make the final setlist. The DMV-area native has a total of seven solo bodies of work in her discography, her latest being her sophomore album, Age/Sex/Location, which leaves her with dozens of songs to choose from.
Fellow sultry singer Alex Vaughn serves as the tour’s opener, setting the perfect mode for each show. One Twitter user shared the setlist from the show they attended online to prepare other ticket holders for the emotional roller coaster the live show would send them on thanks to songs like “Waste My Time” and “POF.”
Ari Lennox Vegas Setlist 1/26
POF Waste My Time Outside Mean Mug Boy Bye Stop By Gummy /All Night Long New Apt Whipped Cream I Been BMO Up Late Unloyal Hoodie Backseat Leak It On It Blocking You Queen Space Shea Butter baby Pressure
02/07 — Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
02/09 — Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre
02/11 — Oakland, CA @ The Fox
02/14 — Denver, CO @ Summit
02/16 — San Antonio, TX @ Aztec Theatre
02/17 — Dallas, TX @ House Of Blues
02/19 — Houston, TX @ House Of Blues
02/21 — Austin, TX @ Emo’s Austin
02/22 — New Orleans, LA @ Fillmore New Orleans
02/24 — Orlando, FL @ House Of Blues
02/26 — Atlanta, GA @ Coca-Cola Roxy
02/27 — Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore Charlotte
03/02 — Nashville, TN @ Marathon Music Works
03/04 — Wallingford, CT @ Dome at Toyota Oakdale Theatre
03/05 — Boston, MA @ House Of Blues
03/07 — Toronto, ON @ HISTORY
03/08 — Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
03/14 — Minneapolis, MN @ Fillmore Minneapolis
03/16 — Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore Detroit
03/18 — Philadelphia, PA @ The Fillmore Philadelphia
03/21 — New York, NY @ Terminal 5
03/25 — Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore Silver Spring
03/28 — Washington, DC @ Howard Theatre
Dreamville singer Ari Lennox’s Age/Sex/Location Tour is officially underway. The tour started last Thursday, January 26, at the Las Vegas House Of Blues and has 24 dates remaining as of this writing. If you haven’t already got your tickets, I’d suggest you get a move on, as this could be the last opportunity fans have to catch Lennox on tour.
Even though Ari says it’ll be her last tour, it’ll be many fans’ first opportunity to check out her opener, Alex Vaughn, live. Vaughn, who is signed to LVRN, released her debut project The Hurtbook late last year. It was warmly received by those in the know, so it might be worth getting on the bandwagon now. LVRN has proven to be a successful talent incubator — see: 6lack, DRAM, and Summer Walker — so her star will almost certainly continue to rise.
this is so insane! i’m so overjoyed like—
if we’re sold out in your city come to a new city bc y not!?@AriLennox
Check out the remaining dates for the Age/Sex/Location Tour below.
02/01/2023 — Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern
02/07/2023 — Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
02/09/2023 — Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre
02/11/2023 — Oakland, CA @ The Fox
02/14/2023 — Denver, CO @ Summit
02/16/2023 — San Antonio, TX @ Aztec Theatre
02/17/2023 — Dallas, TX @ House Of Blues
02/19/2023 — Houston, TX @ House Of Blues
02/21/2023 — Austin, TX @ Emo’s Austin
02/22/2023 — New Orleans, LA @ Fillmore New Orleans
02/24/2023 — Orlando, FL @ House Of Blues
02/26/2023 — Atlanta, GA @ Coca-Cola Roxy
02/27/2023 — Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore Charlotte
03/02/2023 — Nashville, TN @ Marathon Music Works
03/04/2023 — Wallingford, CT @ Dome at Toyota Oakdale Theatre
03/05/2023 — Boston, MA @ House Of Blues
03/07/2023 — Toronto, ON @ HISTORY
03/08/2023 — Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
03/14/2023 — Minneapolis, MN @ Fillmore Minneapolis
03/16/2023 — Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore Detroit
03/18/2023 — Philadelphia, PA @ The Fillmore Philadelphia
03/21/2023 — New York, NY @ Terminal 5
03/25/2023 — Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore Silver Spring
03/28/2023 — Washington, DC @ Howard Theatre
June 24 is going to be a hot summer night in LA — both literally (likely) and figuratively (almost assuredly). A Hot Summer Night In LA is the name of Summer Walker‘s headlining concert at the Staples Ce-fine, Crypto.com Arena (yuck), which will feature a slew of special guests including Jazmine Sullivan, Ari Lennox, Saucy Santana, Joyce Wrice, Doechii, and Alex Vaughn. Ladies, leave your man at home. The show is billed as part of BET Awards weekend, with a special pre-sale for Summer Walker fans today through May 5 at 10 pm PT. The general sale starts on Friday at 10 am.
The show will be something of a coronation for Ms. Walker, who released her new album Still Over It last November to a truly impressive reception. It became the first album by a female R&B singer to reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200 since 2016 (following Solange’s A Seat At The Table) and signified that R&B’s mainstream comeback is no passing fancy. A Hot Summer Night In LA is sure to keep that energy going with a lineup consisting mainly of R&B-singing women backed by rappers who bring boss-bitch energy.
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