Ari Lennox, born Courtney Shanade Salter on March 26, 1991, is a Washington, D.C.-based American R&B singer. She made history as the first female artist signed to J. Cole’s Dreamville Records. Her debut EP, Pho, released in 2016, marked the beginning of her rise to fame. The same year, she contributed vocals to J. Cole’s “Change” as an uncredited guest artist. Lennox’s breakthrough came with her debut studio album, Shea Butter Baby, released in 2019, cementing her position in the music industry.
Profile Summary
| Full Name: | Courtney Shanade Salter |
| Date Of Birth: | March 26, 1991 |
| Place Of Birth: | Washington DC, U.S |
| Nationality: | American |
| Occupation(s): | Singer, Songwriter |
| Labels: | Dreamville, Interscope |
| Net Worth: | $4 Million |
Early Life And Education
Born Courtney Shanade Salter on March 26, 1991, in Washington, D.C., she is the daughter of Gloria and Shane Salter. Growing up in the DMV area, she honed her talents at Wilson High School and the prestigious Duke Ellington School of the Arts.
Ari Lennox was Inspired by the fictional Mary Lennox from the 1993 film adaptation of The Secret Garden, she adopted the stage name Ari Lennox, marking the beginning of her journey as a talented R&B singer.
Career
Ari Lennox’s music career began in 2009, uploading music online. She released her debut mixtape and EP in 2013, and single “Bound” in 2014. J. Cole discovered her in 2015, leading to a record deal and features on tracks with him, EarthGang, and Bas.
Her debut album, Shea Butter Baby, was released in 2019, followed by a headlining tour and collaborations with 6LACK and Lizzo. In 2020, she was named one of BET’s “Future 40” and released several successful singles, cementing her status as a rising R&B star.
Ari Lennox achieved a milestone on September 10, 2021, with the release of her single “Pressure”, produced by Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox. The song marked her first solo entry on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, reached number one on the radio charts, and peaked at number three on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.
In 2022, Lennox contributed to the Dreamville compilation D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape, featuring on the tracks “Coming Down” and “Blackberry Sap”. She then released her second single, “Hoodie”, on August 12, and announced her upcoming second studio album, Age/Sex/Location.
Just weeks later, on August 31, Lennox surprised fans with the release of her EP Away Message, which included the single “Queen Space” featuring Summer Walker. This string of releases showcased her continued growth and success in the music industry.
Personal Life
In 2022, Ari Lennox publicly revealed that she was in a romantic relationship with reality TV personality Keith Manley II. However, their romance was short-lived, as just a week after confirming their relationship, reports surfaced that the couple had already gone their separate ways, ending their brief time together.
Ari Lennox Net Worth
As of the latest estimates, Ari Lennox’s net worth is approximately $4 million, accumulated through her successful music career, touring, and various collaborations, solidifying her position as a rising star in the R&B industry.