Ari Lennox is stepping into a new era of her career, one where she’s breaking free from her longtime label Dreamville, and embracing a new partnership with Interscope Records, TMZ reports. The move marks a fresh chapter for the Grammy-nominated singer, who has been an integral part of J. Cole’s label since 2015.
After a heartfelt farewell at Cole’s final Dreamville Festival this past April — where she expressed her gratitude for her label home making her dreams come true — it’s clear that her departure from the label has come with good intentions.
Lennox’s latest single, “Soft Girl Era,” has Interscope as its sole credit, signaling that the move has been solidified. While both Lennox and Dreamville have remained silent on the official details of her exit, this change comes after a tense period of frustration that was made public late last year. In October, Lennox took to Instagram to air her grievances, openly pleading for her release from the Cole’s imprint. She explained her frustrations with the lack of support and her growing disillusionment with how her career was being handled.
Ari Lennox/Instagram
In another post, Lennox had described her 2024 track “Smoke” as a symbol of her freedom. “I love making music… but I refuse to drop an album that nobody’s gonna listen to or that my label isn’t going to promote or market,” she said at the time, detailing her growing frustrations with Dreamville and Interscope.
In a deleted Instagram story, the 34-year-old called out both labels for their neglect, saying, “Not one person at those labels ever knew how to market or protect me.”
Lennox’s honesty sparked a wave of support from fellow artists then, including Kehlani and T-Pain, who empathized with her struggles and encouraged her to pursue independence. Kehlani, who has been a vocal advocate for autonomy in the industry, expressed her support with a powerful message: “If you go indy just know people WILL show up for you!” T-Pain, who knows firsthand the challenges of navigating the industry independently, also offered guidance on how Lennox could take control of her career and thrive outside the confines of a major label.
This all came on the heels of Lennox’s announcement last year that she was stepping away from social media, marking two years of sobriety and reflecting on her need for peace and creativity away from the spotlight. “My happiness is worth more to me than using these platforms to promote,” she shared with fans, explaining her decision to disconnect from Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
She urged her followers to stay connected via her mailing list for updates on her upcoming 2025 album, stating that despite the difficult journey, she’s feeling liberated and excited for the future. With her new single “Soft Girl Era” already making waves, Ari Lennox will now be able to comfortably reclaim her spot, free from the constraints of Dreamville.
Listen to her latest single, Soft Girl Era” below.
Leave a comment