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."
Waste My Time
Ari Lennox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh, ooh, ooh
No dick makin' me stupid
No funny Valentine lovin' from Cupid
Need someone to get to it
I see you beggin' so there ain't no choosin'
There must be a glitch in my phone
Won't you come and do something fun to me
'Cause I'm tryna have you
Waste my time, get on my line
'Cause I got the time to waste (ayy)
Use that mouth (ayy), blow this back out (ayy)
Back up every word you say (say sock it to me)
Waste my time, get on my line
Then you can be on your way
Use that mouth, pull a track out (ooh-ooh)
Back up every word you say
Every word (every word)
Every word, every, back up every word
Every word, yeah, yeah
Back up every word you say (ah, ah)
'Cause I'm wide open, sesame
See when you texting me, keep the same energy (oh oh)
Baby, there ain't no rules (ain't no rules)
Way too grown for the bullshit
That triple X on me, we ain't school kids
So come over, and do what it do
'Cause I'm tryna have you
Waste my time, get on my line
'Cause I got the time to waste (ayy)
Use that mouth (ayy), blow this back out (ayy)
Back up every word you say (ooh, sock it to me)
Waste my time, get on my line (sock it to me)
Then you can be on your way
Use that mouth, pull a track out (ooh ooh)
Back up every word you say
Said every word (every word)
Every word, every, back up every word
Every word, yeah, yeah, (oh-ow)
Back up every word you say
Said every word (every word)
Said every word, baby, back up every word
Every word, yeah, yeah (ah ah)
Back up every word you say (ayy-ayy, ayy)
Ari Lennox's "Waste My Time" is a song about getting down to business without any games. The lyrics suggest that the singer is looking for someone to satisfy her needs, and is not interested in any emotional attachment. The song starts with the singer proclaiming that she does not want to be made stupid by sexual encounters, nor does she want any lovey-dovey talk from her lover. She explicitly states her desire for someone who can "get to it", indicating that she is only interested in physical pleasure.
The chorus of the song emphasizes her desire for someone to waste her time. She wants someone to get on her line, use their mouth to pleasure her, and back up every word they say. The singer is not interested in any flimsy promises or half-hearted attempts at seduction. She wants someone who can fulfill her desires, and she is not shy about demanding it.
Overall, "Waste My Time" is a straightforward song about physical pleasure and nothing more. The singer emphasizes that she is not interested in any emotional attachment or romantic entanglements. The lyrics are blunt and to the point, leaving little room for interpretation.
Line by Line Meaning
No dick makin' me stupid
I am not interested in casual physical relationships that can cloud my judgment and reduce my rational thinking.
No funny Valentine lovin' from Cupid
I am not looking for any cheesy or corny love that is often shown in movies on Valentine's Day.
Need someone to get to it
I want a partner who is straightforward, honest, and takes initiative in starting a real, meaningful relationship.
I see you beggin' so there ain’t no choosin'
I acknowledge the efforts you are putting in to impress me, and I appreciate them, so there's no need for you to be hesitant or worried about how I might react.
There must be a glitch in my phone
I am eager to hear from you, and I am puzzled as to why I haven't received any communication from you yet.
I'm ready for the switch to turn me on
I am excited and eager to start a relationship with you and see where it leads us.
Won't you come and do something fun to me
Are you willing to take an active role in our relationship and show me a good time?
'Cause I'm tryna have you
I am interested in pursuing a romantic relationship with you and taking things to the next level.
Waste my time, get on my line
I want you to contact me and take the initiative in pursuing our relationship since I have time to invest in it.
'Cause I got the time to waste (ayy)
I am excited about the prospect of spending time with you and believe that it will not be a waste of my time.
Use that mouth (ayy), blow this back out (ayy)
I want you to make me feel good physically and fulfill my sexual desires with skill and enthusiasm.
Back up every word you say (say sock it to me)
I expect you to follow through on your promises and prove that you are reliable and trustworthy by backing up your words with actions.
Then you can be on your way
If you prove that you are worthy of my time and devotion, then you are free to go once our relationship reaches its natural conclusion.
Use that mouth, pull a track out (ooh-ooh)
I want you to use your mouth to give me pleasure and satisfaction that is so intense it will make me scream in ecstasy.
Every word, yeah, yeah, (oh-ow)
I want you to prove that you are sincere and genuine by standing by your words and actions and not playing any games with me.
'Cause I'm wide open, sesame
I am open to exploring and experimenting with you in a loving and respectful manner, as long as you treat me with kindness and respect.
See when you texting me, keep the same energy (oh oh)
I want you to treat me with the same level of eagerness and enthusiasm that you display when you are communicating with me over text.
Baby, there ain't no rules (ain't no rules)
I want us to be authentic, sincere, and not follow any societal rules or expectations when it comes to our relationship.
Way too grown for the bullshit
I am an adult and want to be treated as one, so I have no tolerance for any immature, disrespectful or deceitful behavior from you.
That triple X on me, we ain't school kids
I have no interest in engaging in any type of childish or immature behavior, and I expect you to be mature and respectful as well.
So come over, and do what it do
I want you to take the initiative, come over to my place, and show me your skills and talents in a loving and caring manner.
Said every word (every word)
I want you to back up every single word you say and prove that you are trustworthy and dependable.
Back up every word you say (ayy-ayy, ayy)
I want you to show me through your actions that you truly mean what you say and that you are committed to our relationship.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Courtney Shanade Salter, Rowan Perkins, Tim Suby, Uzoechi Osisioma Emenike
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SenseiSpider
She made one of the best albums of 2022, and all of the visuals we've got have been absolutely crazy. The new Ari era is amazing!!! 🤭
Kara Francis
I agree. I could listen to album over and over. I haven't got tired.
Toya Mel
Facts!!!
Red Blue
💯 Facts👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🔥🔥🔥
b1njjj95
Agreed!
Just Tim
Still playing this album till dis day
uKanHateonme
Can we please give Ari her flowers for being authentically herself and not changing for the pressures of the industry. I hope to see more visuals from her and more of her on features just like Jasmine did with Rick Ross
katymills09
Please and thank you
LANDR YATE
Ari is one of those artists that never misses. She’s a hidden gem in this generation. I just wish she was more mainstream, but still blessed to be in a generation that has someone like Ari Lennox.
SpotlessMind
She is mainstream.