Ari Lennox began uploading her music on the internet in 2012 as she released her debut mixtape, Five Finger Discount, and debut EP, Ariography, in 2013. In 2014, she continued to release her music on the internet including her independently released single "Bound". On July 21, 2015, she was featured on Omen's album Elephant Eyes on the track "Sweat it Out". Later that year, her music was circulating around the Dreamville team, as J. Cole wanted her to work with him on some references for Rihanna.
On December 8, it was announced that she was signed to Dreamville Records. She made an appearance on the collaborative album Revenge of the Dreamers II, on the track "Backseat" with Cozz. On October 21, 2016, she released her debut EP titled Pho. Ari Lennox later appeared on J. Cole's song "Change", and performed as an opening act on the 4 Your Eyez Only Tour in 2017.
In 2018, she went on to guest feature on two songs with her label-mates: EarthGang on "Nothing but the Best", and Bas on "Icarus". On July 16, 2018, Ari Lennox released the first single, "Whipped Cream", from her debut album, Shea Butter Baby with an accompanied music video on September 5. On November 9, she released two more singles called "40 Shades of Choke" and "Grampa". On November 13, she then released two more singles called "No One" and "Pedigree". She then appeared on the Creed II soundtrack with Cole on a track entitled "Shea Butter Baby" on November 16, and released as a single on February 26, 2019, for her debut album of the same name. The track was accompanied by a music video on February 20, 2019, and surpassed 3 million views via YouTube within the first week. In December 2018, she was a supporting act on the From East Atlanta With Love Tour with 6LACK.
On March 27, 2019, she announced her first headlining tour, with the first leg beginning on May 12 and ending on June 14 in her hometown Washington, D.C. Her debut album, Shea Butter Baby was released on May 7, 2019. Several times on this tour she was opened by Baby Rose and Mikhala Jené. She also went on the road with Lizzo on the Cuz I Love You Too Tour from July to October. The second leg of her headlining tour was in Europe, in December 2019. In February 2020, Ari Lennox was placed on BET's "Future 40" list, which is a list of "40 of the most inspiring and innovative vanguards who are redefining what it means to be unapologetically young, gifted & black". She released multiple singles in 2020 including "Bussit", "Chocolate Pomegranate", and a cover of "If You Want Me to Stay", as well as guest appearances and collaborations with Kiana Ledé, Skip Marley, 6LACK, and Spillage Village, among others.
charting single on the Billboard Hot 100, her first Radio No. 1 single, and reached number 3 on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay. On March 31, 2022, she appeared on the Dreamville compilation D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape, on the songs "Coming Down" and "Blackberry Sap". On August 12, Ari Lennox released her second single, "Hoodie", and announced the title and release date for her second studio album, Age/Sex/Location. On August 31, she released the surprise EP Away Message, including the single "Queen Space" featuring Summer Walker.
Ari Lennox describes her own voice as "vulnerable but soulful; imperfect but pretty". Her voice has been compared to Erykah Badu. Referencing her artistry, she explains: "Sometimes women are put in this box where we're only supposed to talk about certain things, I want to be braver and riskier. I think people want to hear that kind of honesty and frankness." Ari Lennox said in multiple interviews that she is inspired by 90s and 2000s R&B singers such as Mariah Carey, Erykah Badu, D'Angelo, Bilal, Whitney Houston, Aaliyah, Lauryn Hill, Amerie, Ciara, SWV, Mary J Blige, among many others, and soul singer Minnie Riperton. In an interview with The Fader, she also mentioned her admiration of Kanye West and how she found multiple other artists through him. The Gateway described Ari Lennox's sound as "successfully blends individual slices of classic Motown, modern R&B, and new-age soul into one seamless product."
Pop
Ari Lennox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Smoking on this 'Dro
You don't care
You don't judge me, you love me
That's why I keep you near
If I pop this pussy?
For you tonight
Won't you make a promise?
That I'm gonna be your wife
Adventure Time is what we got on
Back that thing, back that thing
If you really want some
Ay, we kiki'ng 'bout politics and The Alchemist
In your crib, smoking on 'Dro
And baby you know, I like it slow and deep
Ay, ay
Pop this pussy
For you tonight
Will you promise? Baby
Won't you make a promise?
That you'll make me your wife
If you really love me
I'll fuck you good
Fuck you good, fuck you good
Treat you how you should
Ain't no baby you love
Ain't no baby you love (I)
And that's why I love you
Ain't no baby you love (I)
Ain't no baby you love
And that's why I love you
The lyrics of Ari Lennox's "Pop" bring a sultry quality to the table, mixing together sexual innuendos and a newfound love. The song begins as Lennox praises her lover, who seems to be accepting her for who she is, including her habit of smoking "’Dro." Lennox feels accepted and loved for who she is, which is why she wants to know if she pops "this pussy" for this person, would they promise to marry her? This line evokes a sense of curiosity, desperation and demand. Yet, the song is also playful and light-hearted.
The chorus is simple, with Lennox asking her lover to promise her that she will be made a wife. Musically, it is repeated several times, building up tension and anticipation. The second verse shows the couple enjoying their time together. They seem to be watching a TV show called Adventure Time, smoking weed and let time pass by slowly. Ari explicitly reveals that she likes it "slow and deep" which is undeniably a sexual reference. The song continues with Ari Lennox making herself available for her lover, explaining that if they really love her, she will treat them the way they deserve. The song ends with Lennox reiterating that she loves this person because they accept her for who she is.
The song has several themes, including self-acceptance, love, and desire. Lennox is unapologetic in her desires and her lover is accepting her for her. It is subtle yet intense, and the lyrics can appeal to anyone who has ever been in love.
Line by Line Meaning
Mmm
Savoring the sensation of smoking marijuana
Smoking on this 'Dro
Currently smoking a marijuana strain called Hydro
You don't care
You don't judge or criticize me
You don't judge me, you love me
You have unconditional positive regard towards me
That's why I keep you near
I value having you in my life
If I pop this pussy?
If I engage in sexual activity with you?
For you tonight
As a gesture of affection for you this evening
Will you promise? Baby
Will you make a solemn vow to me, sweetheart?
Won't you make a promise?
I request that you commit to this agreement
That I'm gonna be your wife
That you will make me your spouse
Adventure Time is what we got on
The animated TV series Adventure Time is playing
Back that thing, back that thing
Move your body provocatively
If you really want some
If you truly desire sexual intimacy
Ay, we kiki'ng 'bout politics and The Alchemist
We are conversing and having a good time, discussing both current events and the novel The Alchemist
In your crib, smoking on 'Dro
At your home, enjoying a joint of Hydro
And baby you know, I like it slow and deep
You are aware that I prefer sexual intercourse that is unhurried and intense
Pop this pussy
Engage in sexual activity with me
If you really love me
If you genuinely have affection for me
I'll fuck you good
I can provide you with enjoyable sexual experiences
Treat you how you should
I will show you the respect and care that you deserve
Ain't no baby you love (I)
There is nobody you adore more than me
And that's why I love you
That is the reason why I have feelings of fondness towards you
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Courtney Shanade Salter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheDivineStyles
Her personality really shines through these songs! She is hella funny and serious and turnt at the same damn time!
@ChristinaLibra
How the hell can this be so classy yet make me wanna get so freaky at the same damn time 😖❤.
@iseedagreat8094
Christina Harris its true Artistry
@chasidystephens3110
Exactly!!!!!......Classic!
@drehardin
It's weird, right?
Ratchet and classy.
Sound like Sade and Cardi B got in the studio together 🤣
@rodneypatton3632
Naw frfr
@ashley3210
Damn this whole album was 🔥🔥🔥 AF‼ I love this song the most cuz it touched my spirit based on my current situation. Ari please keep blessing us with your dopeness.
@gabriellesimone2546
Factuallll, it’s really sad asf that I think like this
@miikamona
Ari this album came just in the right moment of my being!!!! It’s amazing how it aligns perfectly with this phase
@ForeverGolden21
I love this entire album!