Ari Lennox

Ari Lennox, born Courtney Shanade Salter on March 26, 1991, in Washington, D.C., is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter. She gained attention through YouTube covers and signed with J. Cole’s Dreamville Records in 2015, becoming the label’s first female artist. Her debut EP, Pho (2016), and her gold-certified album Shea Butter Baby (2019) brought her widespread recognition. Her second album, age/sex/location (2022), featured the hit “Pressure,” which charted on the Billboard Hot 100. Known for introspective lyrics and a vintage neo-soul style, she has contributed to soundtracks (Creed II, Insecure) and collaborated with artists like J. Cole, JID, and Skip Marley.