Ari Lennox & Anthony Ramos Beautifully Cover A Classic On "If You Want Me To Stay"

BY Erika Marie 4.8K Views
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The Dreamville singer told us Ramos is like a "real-life angel" and working with him on the Sly and the Family Stone jam was effortless..

A collaboration you didn't know that you needed has come courtesy of Ari Lennox and Anthony Ramos. The two talents have joined forces in partnership with Main Street Alliance and Crown Royal to help communities all over the country during this pandemic. The Dreamville singer and Hamilton star have blended their voices on a cover of Sly and the Family Stone's 1973 hit "If You Want Me to Stay," and Crown Royal will be donating $1 for every stream (up to $500K) to help small businesses, especially entertainment venues, stay afloat.

"I'm honored that I could do this cool, amazing, legendary cover," Ari Lennox told HNHH. When we asked what it was like working with Anthony Ramos, she couldn't stop singing his praises. "It was easy. We are very serious about our crafts and wanting to respect Sly and the Family Stone, so we were serious about learning it. But once we got that together, it was so much fun! He is so funny, so sweet, so genuine. I just feel so blessed to have met a real-life angel. He's just so nice!" Listen to these two harmonize on a classic and stream "If You Want Me to Stay."

Quotable Lyrics

Count the days I'm gone
Forget reachin' me by phone
Because I promise I'll be gone for a while
And when you see me again
I hope that you have been
The kind of person....that you really are now


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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