R&B songstress Ari Lennox is blasting her former tour mate Rod Wave for not protecting her while she experienced what she calls “evil and racist” treatment while they were on tour. 

Lennox joined Wave’s Nostalgia Tour last year as an opening act, and she had to deal with heinous behavior from Wave’s fans, including getting hit with a bottle thrown from the audience during a show. She called out the “Changing On Me” singer for failing to speak up for her then, and she’s calling him out again now!

Lennox was triggered after seeing a video of rapper Flo Milli emotionally reacting to being hit by a shoe from the crowd while performing on Gunna‘s Bittersweet Tour in Columbus, Ohio.

Lennox, a 33-year-old Dreamville singer, took to her Instagram stories to share her support of the rapper. She said, “Flo Milli, I’m sorry this happened to you. You are a beautiful and incredibly talented woman. Some of these people can be so damn cruel.”

Lennox knows firsthand and sadly had to relive her trauma. When it was happening to her, Lennox shared that she’d be so ready to get off stage every show that she’d rush through her set so she could go. Having the bottle thrown at her was her last straw. 

Lennox went on in her Instagram Stories:

“Maybe I could’ve gotten over some of Rod Wave’s evil, racist and demonic fans, but what made it even worse is Rod saying nothing in my defense. Privately or publicly,” she said. “The only reason we met was because we ran into each other in a Hotel Lobby after constant efforts of me trying to share my gratefulness for the opportunity.

“I never had issues with fans being violent or evil towards me while opening up for legendary singers and legendary hip hop acts. Those were some of the best tours of my life and really taught me how to sing better. I’m use[d] to men rarely defending me publicly, but it was a triggering experience nonetheless. I thought I was accepting an opportunity to network, connect and make a friend. But I’ve learned this industry is heartless.”

She says, “I’m extremely aware that I’m not entitled to any friendship or connection or greeting or protection or anything from anybody.”  

Lennox shared some positive experiences on tour, like with her Dreamville family, and said, “I was so blessed to be protected and spoiled by Dreamville on those tours. I didn’t know how easy I had it. And I’m also aware that half of the mess I end up in I’m solely responsible for. Doesn’t make the disrespect feel good or valid.”

She continued, “To protect my peace I will never open up for a soul again. STOP disrespecting openers. STOP creating excuses as to why these openers get violated on stage ‘maybe she shouldn’t have been on that tour’? This makes the disrespect and violence to Black women valid? Headliners, protect your openers.”

 Protect Black women. Period.