- The R&B artist expressed disappointment with Rod Wave for not coming to her defense against the negative treatment she received from his fans during his “Nostalgia Tour.”
- Lennox called out the broader issue of disrespect towards opening acts, urging headliners to protect their openers from such treatment.
- The tour experience left Lennox feeling isolated and targeted, affecting her emotionally and professionally.
- The artist’s critique is a call for greater accountability and empathy from artists towards their peers, highlighting the need for support in the music industry.
Newsypeople- Ari Lennox, a prominent R&B artist known for her soulful voice and introspective lyrics, has taken a stand against Rod Wave, a Florida rapper, for his silence on the treatment she received during his “Nostalgia Tour.” This controversy has sparked a conversation about the responsibilities of headliners towards their opening acts, especially in the face of audience aggression and disrespect.
Lennox’s experience on the tour was marked by a series of incidents that left her feeling isolated and targeted. She described the tour as “a lot for two and a half months, like, getting my wardrobe stolen. It was just a very hard two and a half fucking months.
Very lonely too. But I thought it would be a good idea”. The artist’s vulnerability was further exposed during an Instagram Live broadcast, where she shared her feelings of loneliness and the discomfort she felt on stage, racing to finish her set and escape the hostile environment.
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Ari Lennox Criticizes Rod Wave’s Silence on Her Show Incident
Ari Lennox has publicly criticized Rod Wave for his silence on the incident that occurred during her show on his Nostalgia Tour, highlighting a broader issue of disrespect and mistreatment faced by artists, particularly women of color, in the music industry. Lennox’s critique is rooted in her experiences with Rod Wave’s tour, which she described as “the worst tour of [her] f**king life”.
During the tour, Lennox faced a series of disrespectful incidents, including theft and assault, which she felt were not only personally distressing but also indicative of a broader issue within the music industry. She expressed her frustration with the lack of support from the crowd, stating, “It was so annoying because, like, you could be singing your a** off and they just don’t give a s**t.
They’re not there for you. They’re there for music that will never be like my music. They’re there for voices that’ll never be like my voice. And so, it just got old after a while. I’m giving you my soul, my vocals, and nothing was ever enough”.
Lennox’s criticism extends beyond her personal experience to a call for greater protection and support for Black women in the music industry. She criticized Rod Wave for not defending her against his “evil, racist, and demonic fans,” stating that his silence, both privately and publicly, was a significant factor in her negative experience. This critique is part of a larger conversation about the need for artists to stand up for each other and prioritize the safety and respect of their supporting artists, especially those who are marginalized or targeted due to their race or gender.
Lennox’s comments come in the wake of her support for fellow rapper Flo Milli, who experienced mistreatment during Gunna’s Bittersweet Tour. This support underscores Lennox’s empathy for other artists facing similar challenges and her call for solidarity within the music industry.
Ari Lennox’s criticism of Rod Wave’s silence on her tour incident is a powerful statement against the disrespect and mistreatment faced by artists, particularly women of color, in the music industry. Her call for greater support and protection for artists, especially Black women, highlights the need for solidarity and action within the music community to address these systemic issues.
Incidents Ari Lennox Faced In Rod Wave’s Nostalgia Tour
During Rod Wave’s Nostalgia Tour, Ari Lennox faced several incidents that led to her criticism of the experience. One of the most notable incidents was when a water bottle was thrown at her while she was performing her opening slot for the tour at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles. This incident occurred on November 29, 2023, and was captured in a video shared by TMZ.
In response to the incident, Lennox immediately paused the show and demanded to know who had thrown the water bottle, threatening to confront the perpetrator. She expressed her frustration with the crowd, stating, “I’ll f— you up. Who did it? Who the f— did it? I don’t play that s—. I’m a real a– b—- and I will f— your s— all the way the f— up”.
Lennox’s experience on the tour was marked by a general sense of disrespect, including theft and assault, which she described as the “icing on the cake.” She expressed her frustration with the lack of support from the crowd, stating that she felt uncomfortable every night on stage and that the experience was “heavy on my soul.”
She highlighted the discrepancy between her music and the preferences of the audience, noting that the crowd was there for music and voices that were different from hers, which she felt was not enough.
These incidents, along with the broader experience of disrespect and mistreatment, led Lennox to describe the tour as “the worst tour of [her] f**king life.” She reflected on the nearly three-month experience, calling it the worst in every imaginable way, and expressed her frustration with the lack of support from the crowd and the overall negative atmosphere of the tour.
Rod Wave Response To Ari Lennox’s Criticism
Rod Wave has not publicly responded to Ari Lennox’s criticism of the Nostalgia Tour and the incidents she faced. Following Lennox’s public statements about the negative experiences she encountered during the tour, including being hit with a bottle and facing mean messages from the audience, there has been no official response from Rod Wave regarding the matter.
Lennox expressed her disappointment with Rod Wave’s silence, both privately and publicly, on the issue. She highlighted the importance of artists standing up for each other and defending each other’s experiences, especially in the face of mistreatment and disrespect.
Lennox’s comments were made in the context of her support for fellow rapper Flo Milli, who also experienced mistreatment during Gunna’s Bittersweet Tour. This support underscores Lennox’s empathy for other artists facing similar challenges and her call for solidarity within the music industry. Despite the lack of a direct response from Rod Wave, Lennox’s criticism serves as a call to action for the music community to address and support artists facing disrespect and mistreatment.
