Ari Lennox, a talented lyricist and soulful vocalist, draws inspiration from iconic artists like Minnie Riperton and Mýa. Since 2015, she has been the prominent R&B artist on J. Cole’s Dreamville roster. Her musical journey on the label began with the Pho EP in 2016, followed by her successful debut album, Shea Butter Baby, in 2019, which peaked at number seven on Billboard’s Top R&B Albums chart. Ari Lennox’s presence was also felt on Dreamville’s Grammy-nominated Revenge of the Dreamers III compilation before achieving a number one hit on the Adult R&B Songs chart with her track “Pressure” – a prelude to her highly anticipated second album, age/sex/location, released in 2022.
Hailing from Washington, D.C., Ari Lennox, born Courtney Shanade Salter, emerged onto the music scene in the early 2010s with projects like the Five Finger Discount mixtape and the Ariography EP. Notable tracks such as “Bound” showcased her artistry, setting the stage for her collaboration with J. Cole’s Interscope-affiliated Dreamville label in 2015, highlighted by her featured appearances on Omen’s “Sweat It Out” and the Dreamers II compilation track, “Backseat.” The following year, Lennox’s EP Pho made waves, entering the R&B/hip-hop chart and featuring standout songs like “Night Drive” with Hollywood JB. Her involvement with Dreamville continued to flourish as she contributed to Cole’s 4 Your Eyez Only album and accompanied him on his 2017 tour. In the ensuing years, Lennox’s career soared as she collaborated with labelmates Bas and Masego, and gained further recognition through soundtrack contributions and chart-topping singles like “Shea Butter Baby.” Her musical journey culminated in the 2022 release of her second album, age/sex/location, solidifying her position on the music charts and in the hearts of fans worldwide.