If you’re used to seeing singer Ari Lennox post her lovely brown beautiful self online, then you’re in for a shock in December. The “Pressure” songstress announced last week – on social media – that she would be permanently leaving her various platforms.
“I’m working on a plan to transition off of social media for good,” she posted. “I don’t believe I’ll ever mature and be happy as long as i have it. So my last day of socials will be December 18th, my 2 year sobriety anniversary.”
Lennox went on to say that while she understands how social media benefits her career, she needs to find other ways to promote herself. She asked fans to subscribe to her mailing list and says that she’ll continue to post videos of her music on YouTube.
“My happiness is worth more to me, than using these platforms to promote,” she continued. “I truly believe I can get creative with marketing elsewhere. I’m so exhausted with my addiction to the internet and gossip and attention and validation and yearning to be in control and over sharing. I just want to be free and complete. I would like to offer other spaces where you can find me and that’s YouTube.com/arilennox and Arilennox.com and on the singing stage or outside.”
She signed off Ari/Courtney and disabled her comments on the post. Lennox has been known for Instagram Live rants and meltdowns on social media, but in recent years has been more focused on fitness and sobriety, taking down most of her IG posts.
Born Courtney Shanade Salter in Washington, D.C. Ari became Dreamville Records’ first female artist in 2015. She was discovered by its founder, rapper J. Cole after releasing a mixtape and an EP as an independent artist. The 33-year-old’s retro vocals and engaging personality helped make her one of R&B rising stars after the release of her 2019 full-length studio debut Shea Butter Baby.
After 2022’s Age/Sex/Location album dropped, Lennox spent the next year and a half touring and collaborating with the likes of Jeremih and Foggieraw. She also went on her own tour and opened for Rod Wave on his Nostalgia tour, making stops along the way at the Sol Blume Fest, the Essence Fest and the Dreamville Festival. On Saturday, Oct. 26, she’ll be appearing at the One Music Fest in Atlanta.
She may be leaving social media, but she’ll still release her music online. Lennox just dropped her new single “Smoke,” the first since “Get Close” last year. Watch below:
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