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."
Grampa
Ari Lennox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Use your body, use your body
Ay, baby, use your body)
Take the Queen Mary to the U.K
You know we got time
I just want you next to me
(Yeah, yeah)
Playin' Sims 3 while you watch the game
Won't you come sit next to me?
I said, why you gotta be a grampa?
Let a girl come and see you
Gotta be a motherfuckin' reason
Why you gotta be a grampa?
Let a girl come and see you (oh)
(Hey, baby)
Maybe we can just stay in
You know we got time
Baby, take a hit of this
(Don't choke) ooh
Kisses to end all the fights
I wanna make you mine (mine)
Baby, just turn off the lights
Stay up 'til the daylight
(Yeah, yeah)
Why you gotta be a grampa?
Let a girl come and see you
Ain't gotta be a motherfuckin' reason
Why you gotta be a grampa?
Let a girl come and see you
Gotta be a motherfuckin' reason
Why you gotta be a grampa?
Let a girl come and see you
Ain't gotta be a motherfuckin' reason
Why you gotta be a grampa?
(Uh, uh)
Baby, is it a crime?
That I want your body over mine?
And we can do said anything that you want to
Lemme know if this shit true
Say baby
We go and fuck your hoes together
Yeah, yeah (ooh ah)
Could give a fuck about the stormy weather
Hey, baby
Hey, baby
Hey, baby
Hey, put me on that brand new leather
(Ooh ah) ay
Ain't no bitch that can do you better
Hey, better
Yeah
The lyrics to Ari Lennox's Grampa reveal a story of a woman who desires to spend time and build intimacy with her lover. The song opens with the proposition of taking a trip to the United Kingdom on the Queen Mary, emphasizing an adventure in which the two lovers can get lost. While on the trip, the woman hopes they can bond over similar interests by playing the simulation game, Sims 3, while her lover watches a sports game. She wants to create a relationship where they can take their time and enjoy each other's company.
The chorus of the song is an inquiry as to why the lover has to be "a grampa," meaning why he has to appear old-fashioned and traditional in his approach to their relationship, denying her access. The woman wants to know if there is indeed a rationale behind his behavior or if there is no reason to keep his distance. She wants to be intimate with her lover, and she wonders why it seems like an impossibility for him.
In conclusion, the song is an expression of the frustration experienced when one partner has a different pace or approach to the relationship, causing the other partner displeasure. The lyrics of Grampa ask for more from the partner, seeking justification for their limitations and stonewalling. The song is an appeal to be brought closer while gently suggesting that the partner may be holding themselves back from creating meaningful bonds.
Line by Line Meaning
I, ooh
Expressing excitement and eagerness.
(Use your body, use your body
Ay, baby, use your body)
Take the Queen Mary to the U.K
You know we got time
I just want you next to me
(Yeah, yeah)
Encouraging the partner to express themselves and explore freely, while expressing desire to be with the partner and travel abroad.
Playin' Sims 3 while you watch the game
You know we got time
Won't you come sit next to me?
Suggesting a mutual activity, emphasizing time and space availability and invites closeness and attention.
I said, why you gotta be a grampa?
Let a girl come and see you
Gotta be a motherfuckin' reason
Why you gotta be a grampa?
Let a girl come and see you (oh)
(Hey, baby)
Questioning the partner's reluctance to engage in youthful activities, and proposing the idea that time should be made for a girl that wants to see him.
Maybe we can just stay in
You know we got time
Baby, take a hit of this
(Don't choke) ooh
Kisses to end all the fights
I wanna make you mine (mine)
Baby, just turn off the lights
Stay up 'til the daylight
(Yeah, yeah)
Presents an intimate proposal to spend time together that also includes the use of drugs and affection.
Baby, is it a crime?
That I want your body over mine?
And we can do said anything that you want to
Lemme know if this shit true
Say baby
Expressing a strong desire towards the partner, and proposing that whatever activity the partner wants to engage in, they will do it.
We go and fuck your hoes together
Yeah, yeah (ooh ah)
Could give a fuck about the stormy weather
Hey, baby
Hey, baby
Hey, baby
Hey, put me on that brand new leather
(Ooh ah) ay
Ain't no bitch that can do you better
Hey, better
Yeah
A final act of intimacy where they agree to engage in sexual activities together and express confidence in each other's skills in bed.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Anthony Parrino, Courtney Salter, Leon Ware, Minnie Riperton, Richard Rudolph
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@KnottyZah
I, ooh
(Use your body, use your body
Ay, baby, use your body)
Take the Queen Mary to the U.K
You know we got time
I just want you next to me
(Yeah, yeah)
Playin' Sims 3 while you watch the game
You know we got time
Won't you come sit next to me?
I said, why you gotta be a grampa?
Let a girl come and see you
Gotta be a motherfuckin' reason
Why you gotta be a grampa?
Let a girl come and see you (oh)
(Hey, baby)
Maybe we can just stay in
You know we got time
Baby, take a hit of this
(Don't choke) ooh
Kisses to end all the fights
I wanna make you mine (mine)
Baby, just turn off the lights
Stay up 'til the daylight
(Yeah, yeah)
Why you gotta be a grampa?
Let a girl come and see you
Ain't gotta be a motherfuckin' reason
Why you gotta be a grampa?
Let a girl come and see you
Gotta be a motherfuckin' reason
Why you gotta be a grampa?
Let a girl come and see you
Ain't gotta be a motherfuckin' reason
Why you gotta be a grampa?
(Uh, uh)
Baby, is it a crime?
That I want your body over mine?
And we can do said anything that you want to
Lemme know if this shit true
Say baby
We go and fuck your hoes together
Yeah, yeah (ooh ah)
Could give a fuck about the stormy weather
Hey, baby
Hey, baby
Hey, baby
Hey, put me on that brand new leather
(Ooh ah) ay
Ain't no bitch that can do you better
Hey, better
Yeah
@stephaniedoucette3390
They sampled the great Minnie Riperton's "Can you feel what I'm saying"...a classic that no woman on this earth can sing and those "whistles" are Minnie's vocals.
@missfoxx4188
Damn I love both songs
@chakagrady2263
..I think thats Ari boo, she can hit them whistle notes .. don't sleep on my boo!!!
@ProlificBeatz
@@chakagrady2263 let em know lol
@deliavarnon9121
Baby that’s Minnie
@cashmerefunk2136
Wooow mama you know your music lolo.
@CardoFALLINLOVE
Everybody in These Comments Better Be Buying Tickets For The Tour When The Album Comes Out Let's Make Ari LENNOX Great Again Cause Sis Slayed Ear Drums
@kayayy
Rasid Tatted Up aris always been great 🙂 JS
@nicki1197
Yes! I've never even been to a concert but I'll show up front row for hers💕
@CardoFALLINLOVE
@@kayayy right amen