Ari Lennox

Courtney Shanade Salter, also known as Ari Lennox, a Washington, D.C.-based American singer/songwriter, was signed as Dreamville Records' debut female singer with Dreamville Records by J. Cole. The first album she released on the label on October 21 2016 titled Pho where she started to gain notoriety. The album that she released as her debut studio album Shea Butter Baby was released on May 7, 2019. Ari Lennox began posting her music to the internet in 2012 when she released her debut mixtape called Five Finger Discount and debut EP Ariography In 2013. Ari Lennox continued to post her music online including her self-released single Bound. The song was included in Omen's Elephant Eyes and from Sweat It Out, on July 21 the 21st of July, 2015. J. Cole, who was part of the Dreamville crew at that time and wanted her to perform on Rihanna references. On the 8th of December, it was revealed that she had signed to Dreamville Records. The record Revenge of the Dreamers II, she appeared on the track Backseat alongside Cozz. In October 21st, 2016 the debut EP of Ari Lennox was released, titled Pho. Ari Lennox appeared in J. Cole's Change track and also opened the 4 Your Eyez Only Tour 2017. In 2018, she went on to appear on two tracks with her labelmates EarthGang and EarthGang on Nothing but the Best and Bas on Icarus. Ari Lennox debuted her first single from Shea Butter Baby, Whipped Cream on 16 July 2018. A music video followed by a music video in September. The second single she released was called Grampa on the 9th of November. Two additional singles were also released on the 11th of November with the titles Pedigree and One. She then appeared in the Creed II soundtrack with Cole on a track titled Shea Butter Baby on November 16, and it was released as a single on February 26 2019 to accompany her debut album with the same name. The song was followed by a music video that was released on February 20, 2019, and it surpassed the milestone of 3 million views via YouTube in its first seven days. In December 2018 she was an opening act for From East Atlanta With Love Tour. From East Atlanta With Love Tour in conjunction with 6LACK.