Ari Lennox has been part of Dreamville Records since day one. She was the first female artist, and first singer, to appear on the label, and she’s been part of every Dreamville compilation to date. Lennox has displayed fantastic musical chemistry with the likes of J. Cole and JID over the years. Unfortunately, the unity of the Revenge of the Dreamers comps has not extended to the business side of things. Ari Lennox took to Instagram on Tuesday night to put the label on blast for mishandling her career.
Ari Lennox cited Dreamville and its parent label, Interscope, for failing to prioritize her career. She claimed that both sides have been “playing with her all month,” and she’s fed up with it. She also accused Dreamville of being clueless when it came to how to market her strengths as an artist. “I’m so tired of people treating me like they’re sorry for me and like l’m the face of mental health,” she opined. “I’m ok and l’ve never been happier. What I don’t like is being signed and lied to and manipulated.” Ari then claimed that “not one person at those labels ever knew how to market or protect me.”
Ari Lennox Blasted Dreamville’s Inability To Market Her
Ari Lennox may have decided to take the gloves off, but she still alluded to there being a lot more drama behind the scenes. “Y’all don’t know the half,” she added. “Constant let down and neglect. This industry stuff will never be for me.” The caption she provided with the Instagram message may have been the most scathing indictment of Dreamville and Interscope of all. “I want out of my contract,” she wrote. Lennox also tagged both labels.
The text post that Ari Lennox made was accompanied by a nearly twenty minute Instagram Live in which she voiced her discontent with Dreamville. “I feel like I’ve been played,” she repeatedly stated. Ari Lennox told fans that she was willing to put up with other shortcomings on the label’s part as long as she could get her music out. Once she began to be sidled by delays, however, she decided to go straight to fans and clarify why she has yet to bless them with another album. It’ll be fascinating to see how Dreamville responds to Ari Lennox’s very public airing out.
About The Author
Elias Andrews is a music and entertainment writer for HotNewHipHop. He joined HNHH in 2024 as the lead night shift contributor, which means he covers new music releases on a weekly basis.
In the year since joining, Elias has covered some of the biggest and most turbulent stories in the world of music. He covered the Drake and Kendrick Lamar battle, and the release of the disses “Family Matters” and “Meet the Grahams,” in particular, in real time. He has also detailed the ongoing list of allegations and criminal charges made against Diddy.
Elias’ favorite artists are Andre 3000, MF Doom, pre-808s Kanye West and Tyler, The Creator. He loves L.A. hip-hop but not L.A. sports teams. The first album he ever bought was Big Willie Style by Will Smith, which he maintains is still a pretty good listen.
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