Ari Lennox has officially left J. Cole’s Dreamville Records. Sources confirmed that the soulful songstress known for her authentic artistry and velvety voice has parted ways after years of label struggles. Read more inside.
TMZ confirmed on April 23, 2025 that the D.C.-bred singer is no longer signed to the label that helped launch her career, marking the end of an era for one of Dreamville’s standout stars. In a statement shared with TMZ, a rep said the split was mutual, describing it as “amicable” and with “deep respect on both sides.”
The departure, while seemingly smooth on the surface, follows years of tension and public expressions of dissatisfaction from Lennox regarding her label situation. As early as 2022, the “Shea Butter Baby” artist voiced frustrations over the way her career was being managed. In 2022, Bossip reported that Lennox opened up about feeling creatively stifled and unsupported.
“I want to be dropped from the labels. I’m done and tired,” she tweeted during a moment of visible frustration.
The article noted her grievances stemmed from lack of control over her artistry and an unclear rollout strategy for her sophomore album.
Though Dreamville gave Ari Lennox her first major platform and helped her find a devoted fan base with hits like “Pressure” and “BMO,” the artist’s relationship with the label had become strained. Her critically acclaimed debut album Shea Butter Baby (2019) introduced her as one of R&B’s most promising voices, but fans have long speculated that label politics may have slowed her momentum.
TMZ reports that despite the split, Ari is planning to release new music independently and remains focused on her artistic journey.
“She’s excited to explore new opportunities and have more creative freedom,” the rep added.
Lennox’s exit raises questions about Dreamville’s future roster and the larger conversation about artist-label relationships in the music industry. J. Cole, who co-founded Dreamville under Interscope Records, has yet to publicly comment on her departure. Still, Ari’s fans have expressed support for her reclaiming her career on her own terms.
As the industry continues to evolve, Ari Lennox’s departure from Dreamville reflects a broader trend of artists seeking autonomy and ownership. For Lennox, this new chapter may finally offer the artistic freedom she’s been yearning for since she first spoke out about her struggles.
We have a theory that with Jermaine Dupri’s So So Def Recordings signing a new distribution partnership with Scooter Braun’s HYBE America, Ari could find herself a new home with one of R&B’s notable producers.
Check out his post below:
Comment your thoughts on Ari Lennox’s newfound freedom. Where will the songstress go next?