Ari Lennox feels the pressure.
The R&B singer has threatened to quit music after facing criticism on social media. “I want to be removed from the labels. I’m done and tired,” she tweeted on Sunday (January 23).
I want to be removed from the labels. I’m done and tired.
— Ari Lennox (@AriLennox) January 23, 2022
Earlier this week, the “Pressure” singer did an interview with South African podcaster Mac G, who asked her a blunt question about her sex life. Lennox was flabbergasted, while the interviewer suggested he was referring to lyrics from one of her early songs, “Pop.”
“I just feel slow and mugged and blind-sighted,” Lennox tweeted after the interview was published. “Just because I’m happy and free to sing/write about sex doesn’t warrant a creepy disrespect. I was clearly in immense shock and hate that I didn’t react differently.”
She received backlash from some Twitter users who accused her of posting the question on herself. She also said she was done with interviews and vowed never to visit South Africa. “South Africa! Y’all got it!!! Heard you loud and clear. This will not be a place I will ever visit,” she wrote in a now-deleted tweet.
Macg asks American artist Ari Lennox a hard-hitting question. Watch her experience the shock of her life 😂😂🤣
• Cassper Nyovest • Gigi • Mmusi • Bonang pic.twitter.com/BLLMmaw7x7— Msakhisto🇿🇦 (@SakhileKhumal) January 18, 2022
The Dreamville signee went on to share her frustration with the constant judgment and scrutiny she faces on social media.
“I’m always ‘complaining’, but my Twitter drama is the only thing blogs repost. I’m my best and my worst publicist,” she added. “People ‘complain’ about me ‘complain’.”
“SM is a traumatizing, unhealthy place. You will only be accepted here if you are perfect and seemingly happy at all times. When every single life knows that’s not realistic. People cry, people complain, people are angry in real life. I just never cared about being a fake ass bitch.”
SM is a traumatizing unhealthy place. You will only be accepted here if you are perfect and seemingly happy at all times. When every single life knows that’s not realistic. People cry, people complain, people are angry in real life. I just never cared about being a fake ass slut
— Ari Lennox (@AriLennox) January 22, 2022
However, she admitted that she wasn’t drama-free. “I’m problematic, it’s all karma,” she wrote. “And when I said I felt like this was my karma. I’m aware I’ve said some incredibly insensitive and stupid shit in the past. There is no need to remind myself every day of the regrets I feel.”
And when I said that, I felt like it was my karma. I’m aware I’ve said some incredibly insensitive and stupid shit in the past. There is no need to remind myself every day of the regrets I feel
— Ari Lennox (@AriLennox) January 22, 2022
She also had a message for her critics, who continue to put her down. “Christ’s sake. I realize that I have no hits. I realize you can all live without hearing my music. I realize my whining is so annoying to all of you. I don’t ask blogs to post me when I’m at my worst. You judgmental, self-hating parasites wouldn’t survive a day as a signed artist.”
Lennox added: “If you complain about me complaining about the shit I’m going through, you’re just as miserable, just as shitty in real life. You cry in the car too. Someone who also calls you insensitive and dramatic. You could never be honest with your demons.”
For heaven’s sake. I realize that I have no hits. I realize you can all live without hearing my music. I realize my whining is so annoying to all of you. I don’t ask blogs to post me when I’m at my worst. You judgmental, self-hating parasites wouldn’t survive a day as a signed artist.
— Ari Lennox (@AriLennox) January 23, 2022
If you complain that I’m complaining about the shit I’m going through while you’re just as miserable, just as shitty in real life. You cry in the car too. Someone who also calls you insensitive and dramatic. You could never be honest with your demons.
— Ari Lennox (@AriLennox) January 23, 2022