Ari Lennox has endured challenges within the music industry, before eventually joining Interscope Records, signed under Cole’s Dreamville.
On a Tuesday (October 1) Live session from Instagram, she told her followers that she thinks her very first record label is a fraud. She remembered being tied up in their contract for many years, which prevented her from seeking other endeavors.
“The first label I signed to – I think it was a scam!” she explained. “I don’t even think it was real because when I signed to Interscope, they literally disappeared! All them years I was stressing!”
Ari Lennox shares some details about her experience during Rod Wave’s tour. The Dreamville singer shared her thoughts of the trek during a recent Instagram live session.
“I was never comfortable. I just remember every show, just racing to get off stage, racing to get through my set,” Ari explained.
“I started trying to communicate with the audience and then I realized they were getting angry at me affirming them. You’re getting angry that I’m affirming you? This is not my crowd. And it’ll never be. And that’s alright.
Ari Lennox opens up about touring with Rod Wave:
“I was never comfortable. I just remember every show, just racing to get off stage, racing to get through my set.” pic.twitter.com/tBf4E3HLaT
She went on, “It was tough and it was heavy on my soul, especially the day when the bottle happened because that side of the stage, like, I felt the energy … It was just all darkness — that was literally the energy that was coming from the left side.”
Ari Lennox released her long-awaited second studio album, Age/Sex/Location, on Friday (September 9). It didn’t take too long for her label boss J. Cole to share his thoughts on the project, revealing it’s giving him nostalgic vibes of his teenage years and Alicia Keys’ 2001 album, Songs In A Minor.
“Ari Lennox album phenomenal,” the “my . life” wrote on Twitter. “Shit make me feel 14 again like when I heard songs in A minor.”
Ari Lennox album phenomenal Shit make me feel 14 again like when I heard songs in A minor https://t.co/AUHD2s29m3
Dreamville boss J. Cole recently went on Instagram to reveal that he “fucks with” Ari Lennox’s upcoming album, Age/Sex/Location, which drops September 9. He also shared what Ari had to say about the project.
“I asked Ari what this new album means to her,” Cole wrote under the screenshot of the pair’s text chat. “I needed to know cuz I fuck with it so heavy.”
He added: “What I hear is the highs, lows, joys and pains of dating life in 2022. But her answer made it even deeper for me. Appreciate you @arilennox Looking forward to the rest of the world hearing it.”
After Cole asked what the project means to her, Ari gave a detailed response. “Trasitional space. Very vulnerable and codependent and validation seeking park of my life,” Ari wrote.
“I remember the countless times I was kicked out of dating apps because they didn’t think I was really myself, it reminded me of those age/sex/location days where I actually wasn’t being myself in those chat rooms. I spent so much time seeing the god and good in some abusive people.”
J. Cole and the Dreamville army bring back the mixtape feel
Just one day before April Fool’s Day (March 31), J. Cole and Dreamville release a new mixtape, D-Day, hosted by DJ Drama.
News of the mixtape dropping came earlier on the aforementioned date, with less than 12 hours of promotion — showcasing true mixtape energy. Laced with 15 tracks, the tape also features notable names: Kenny Mason, Sheck Wes, ASAP Ferg, G Perico, REASON, 2 Chainz, and Young Nudy.
The project couldn’t have come at a better time, considering Dreamville Music Festival is this weekend (April 2 and 3).
While we all stay cozy at home, Ari Lennox decided to share the visual for her latest single, “BUSSIT.”
The Tajana B. Williams-directed video finds Lennox all dolled up in a colorful background showing off with her girls.
The single was originally featured on Dreamville’s Revenge of the Dreamers III: Director’s Cut deluxe album, where it quickly became a standout track.
“BUSSIT” became a fan favorite way before the track was officially released. A snippet of the song can heard on Dreamville’s Revenge documentary that released just days before the album last summer.
From the Revenge of The Dreamers 3sessions, EARTHGANG and Reason give us a TDE and Dreamville collaboration. We also have “BUSSIT” with Ari Lennox.
With so many songs recorded during the Dreamville session, we’re still receiving tracks. “Still Up” by EARTHGANG and Reason is the latest track to be released and Ari’s “BUSSIT.” We get the best of both worlds: Rap and R&B.
In late December of 2013, J. Cole inked a distribution deal with Interscope Records, for his Dreamville imprint. The deal wasn’t announced until Cole’s 29th birthday, Jan. 28, during a concert at Madison Square Garden. Although the deal was inked in 2013, the vision began the summer of 2007.
The first order of business was to release a label compilation — Revenge of the Dreamers. Cole, Bas, and Omen remain as the only rappers on the project, a bit different from the collective we’ve grown to know.
The roster would only grow stronger the following year (2014). Cozz, Ari Lennox, and Lute would join the team. Six artists, six different tales, six different dreams. The formation of Dreamville is organic. As they gear up to release the third installment of the highly anticipated Revenge of the Dreamers, we’re highlighting the ten best tracks from Revenge of the Dreamers I and II.
10. Lute – Still Slummin’ (ROTD I) [Prod. J. Dilla]
Featured on the first installment of ROTD, Charlotte, NC-native Lute balances out nostalgia with the current day. “Still Slummin” samples J. Dilla’s 1999 track “In Space.” Story-driven, Lute narrates his cousin’s conversation with him while they work at a fast food joint.
The track was featured on his debut album, West 1996 Pt.2.
“Yo what up, why you back bruh? See you should be laying tracks with J. Cole and who knows Maybe he sign yo ass See I don’t know just how this rap thing go From the looks of it you closer than most niggas that I know”
9. Omen – Motion Picture (ROTD I) [Prod. Omen]
Omen’s “Motion Picture” is a dark depiction of what life for a dreamer can be. “Motion Picture” is an honest, detailed outlook of internal warfare arising from external issues. The track landed on Omen’s debut album, Elephant Eyes.
“Now I’m second guessing every effort, every sentence does my breath need less inflection, am I being too reflective? Is such and such really better? Is my message even clever? I’m apprehended by this pressure, but shall I surrender?”
8. Bas – Golden Goals (ROTD I) [Prod. Jay Kurzweil]
Concentrated on bringing renewed energy to his people in Queens, NY, Bas has a goal to go further than he’s ever gone. Traveling, staying focused, and musing through different places, Bas raps, “And I ain’t got time for opinions to process. These days I’m inspired by me and nothing else.”
“Golden Goals” also found its way onto Bas’ Last Winter project.
7. Cozz – Grow (ROTD II) [Prod. Meez]
Dreamville pushes dreamers to stay motivated along their path. Cozz gives insight to his path on the track “Grow.” Cozz described the confliction of being a Christian but still in the midst of sins. Eventually, Cozz realizes that his vices weren’t worth the bigger picture of being successful; talk about growth.
Featuring frequent Bas collaborator, Correy C, “Grow” is also a track on Cozz’ project, Nothing Personal.
6. Bas – Ceelo With the G’s (ROTD I) [Prod. Ron Gilmore]
Flowing over a Ron Gilmore-produced beat, Bas had the chance to have fun with pockets and shines a light on his rapping ability. Self-esteem is high and tunnel vision is locked in — Bas asserts his strengths.
5. J. Cole and Omen – Caged Bird (ROTD II) [Prod. Meez]
“Caged Bird” found Cole in the Ville mentality mindset. Can the caged bird be freed?
“Freedom’s just an illusion, that’s my conclusion And if it ain’t, then how my niggas keep on losin’ theirs? This goes out to childhood friends that’s doin’ years Prison tats on they backs like souvenirs”
The frequent topic of young, black males being locked up is a narrative that most are sick of. However, not many want Cole and others to stop pushing the scope on the narrative.
4. Bas feat. KQuick and J. Cole – Lit (ROTD I) [Prod. Cedrick Brown and Ron Gilmore]
Once again, Cole and Bas hit a home run. Cedric Brown and Ron Gilmore load the bases, as well, with the production. “Lit” is set up for good weather and energy. The track can be found on ROTD I and Bas’ Quarter Water Raised Me II.
Cole took it upon himself to produce the self-titled track of the mixtape. Cole’s tenacity and the fire lit beneath his lyrics has put him in the top-tier rankings. His dreams had lasted long enough, and now, he’s coming for what’s his — til this day.
“When that boy that the cops shot died, my mouth wide open from shock Sick and tired of hopin’ it’ll stop This pen the only hope that I got, I open up shop, and break out”
Cole pens for the dreamers who didn’t make it in order to see their dreams come to fruition. He writes for those who are behind walls; he holds the key to unleashing revenge against those who attempt to stop the dreamer.
3. Bas feat. J. Cole – Night Job (ROTD II) [Prod. KQuick & Cedrick Brown]
“Night Job” samples Jeremih and Shlomo’s “No More.” When Bas and Cole make music, it’s like a friendly competition. You can sense the competition and the fun in their verses while still staying on track for their purpose writing the song in the first place. “Night Job” is also featured on Bas’ Too High To Riot album.
2. Ari Lennox feat. Cozz – Backseat (ROTD II) [Prod. DJ Grumble]
Featured on the second installment, Ari Lennox and Cozz put their best foot forward with “Backseat.” A sultry track with the perfect blend of R&B and rap. Both Cozz and Ari balance the energy on this track. “Backseat” can be found on Ari’s 2016’s Pho EP.
1. J. Cole – Revenge of The Dreamers (ROTD I) [Prod. J. Cole]
Cole took it upon himself to produce the self-titled track of the mixtape. Cole’s tenacity and the fire lit beneath his lyrics has put him in the top-tier rankings. His dreams had lasted long enough, and now, he’s coming for what’s his — til this day.
“When that boy that the cops shot died, my mouth wide open from shock
Sick and tired of hopin’ it’ll stop
This pen the only hope that I got, I open up shop, and break out”
Cole pens for the dreamers who didn’t make it in order to see their dreams come to fruition. He writes for those who are behind walls; he holds the key to unleashing revenge against those who attempt to stop the dreamer.
