Ari Lennox

Courtney Shanade Salter, better popularly known as Ari Lennox, is an American musician and singer from Washington, D.C., who was the first woman to sign with J. Cole's Dreamville Records record label. She released her first EP with the label on October 21st of 2016 with the title Pho. It was then that she gained recognition. Her debut studio album Shea Butter Baby was released on the 7th of May, 2019. Ari Lennox began uploading her music online in the year 2012, when she released her first mixtape Five Finger Discount, and her debut EP Ariography in 2013. The singer continued uploading her music online in 2014, with the release of her independent single Bound. In 2015, she performed in Omen's Elephant Eyes Album on the track Sweat It Out 21st July. Later that year her music circulated around the Dreamville group as J. Cole wanted her to work with him on some potential references to Rihanna. On December 8, that she had been signed to Dreamville Records. She was featured on the album collaboratively titled Revenge of the Dreamers II which featured the track Backseat alongside Cozz. The singer released Pho, her debut EP on October 21 on the 21st of October in 2016. Ari Lennox then appeared as the opening performer for J. Cole on his track Change in 2017. She also appeared on the 4 Your Eyez Only Tour. She also appeared as a guest on two tracks, including EarthGang's Nothing but the Best song and Bas' Icarus. Ari Lennox debuted her first single, Shea Butter Baby, Whipped Cream on July 16, 2018. The music video followed by a music video in September. In November, the singer released singles 40 Shades of Choke & Grampa. In November 13, she dropped two singles titled No One and Pedigree. Later, she was featured on the Creed II soundtrack with Cole on the track Shea Butter Baby on November 16th. She released the single on February 26, 2019 for her debut album the same title. A music video was released on 20 February 2019 for the track. Within a week, the video had more than 3,000,000 views. In December 2018 she performed on The From East Atlanta With Love Tour with 6LACK.