Ari Lennox

Courtney Shanade Salter, better known by her stage name of Ari Lennox, is an American musician and singer from Washington, D.C., who was the first female to join J. Cole's Dreamville Records record label. She released her first EP for the label on Oct. 21 2016 titled Pho where she began gaining recognition. Her first studio album Shea Butter Baby was released on May 7, 2019. Ari Lennox started posting her music to the internet in 2012, as she dropped her first mixtape called Five Finger Discount and debut EP Ariography In 2013. She continued to share her music over the internet including her independently release single Bound. On the 21st of July in 2015, she was featured on Omen's album Elephant Eyes featuring the track Sweat It Out. J. Cole, who was a member of the Dreamville crew back then would like to see her create Rihanna references. In December, it was revealed 8th that she had joined Dreamville Records. The singer appeared on the joint album Revenge of the Dreamers II featuring the track Backseat Cozz. On the 21st of October in 2016, she debuted her first EP titled Pho. Ari Lennox then appeared as the opening performer for J. Cole on his track Change in the year 2017 and was a part of the 4 Your Eyez Only Tour. In 2018, she opted to appear on two of her songs along with labelmates EarthGang in Nothing but the Best and Bas on Icarus. Ari Lennox debuted her first single from Shea Butter Baby, Whipped Cream on 16 July, 2018. The music video launched in September. In November, she released singles 40 Shades of Choke & Grampa. On November 13 the singer released two new singles, titled The No One as well as Pdigree. They then collaborated on the Creed II soundtrack with Cole on a track entitled Shea Butter Baby on November 16, which was then released as a single on February 26, 2019 for her debut album the same title. The 20th of February, 2019 the music video was released for the song. The track has received over three million hits on YouTube within the first week. The singer was a supporting artist for 6LACK on the From East Atlanta With Love Tour in December, 2018.