Jhené Aiko
Biography
Jhené Aiko Efuru Chilombo, born on March 16, 1988, in Los Angeles, California, is an American R&B singer and songwriter. Raised in a musically inclined family in Ladera Heights, her mother is of Spanish, Dominican, and Japanese descent, while her father has Native American, African-American, and German-Jewish heritage. This diverse background has significantly influenced her music and identity. Her sister is the R&B singer Mila J.
Career Beginnings and Hiatus
Aiko's music career began in 2002 when she contributed vocals to several tracks for the R&B group B2K and appeared in their music videos. She was initially marketed as the "cousin" of B2K member Lil' Fizz as a promotional tactic, though they are not related. Her debut album, "My Name is Jhené," was slated for a 2003 release but was ultimately shelved. Dissatisfied with the direction of her career, Aiko requested a release from her label to focus on her education.
Return to Music and Breakthrough
In 2011, Aiko made a significant return to the music scene with the release of her mixtape, "Sailing Soul(s)". This project, which she wrote entirely herself, featured collaborations with prominent artists like Drake and Kanye West. The mixtape's success led to her signing with producer No I.D.'s ARTium Recordings, an imprint of Def Jam. Her mainstream breakthrough came in 2013 with her feature on Big Sean's single "Beware," which also featured Lil Wayne and became her first top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
In November 2013, she released her debut EP, "Sail Out," which included the hit singles "Bed Peace" featuring Childish Gambino and "The Worst". "The Worst" achieved massive success, eventually being certified quintuple platinum. The EP itself was certified Platinum and established her as a rising star in alternative R&B.
Studio Albums and Continued Success
Souled Out
Aiko released her debut studio album, "Souled Out," in 2014. The album was a critical and commercial success, debuting at number three on the Billboard 200 chart. It featured tracks that continued to explore themes of love, loss, and self-discovery, solidifying her place in the music industry.
Trip
In 2017, she released her second album, "Trip," which was accompanied by a short film and a poetry book. The album was heavily influenced by the loss of her brother Miyagi to cancer in 2012 and explores themes of grief and healing. "Trip" debuted at number five on the Billboard 200 and received two Grammy nominations.
Chilombo
Her third studio album, "Chilombo," was released in 2020 and saw continued success. The album, which incorporates the healing sounds of crystal alchemy singing bowls, peaked at number two on the Billboard 200. "Chilombo" earned Aiko three Grammy Award nominations, including a nomination for the prestigious Album of the Year.
Musical Style and Influences
Jhené Aiko's music is often described as alternative R&B, neo-soul, and psychedelic pop. Her style is characterized by her soft, ethereal vocals and introspective lyrics that delve into personal experiences with love, loss, and spirituality. She has cited artists like Sade, Tupac, Kid Cudi, and Brandy as major influences on her work.
Personal Life
Jhené Aiko has a daughter, Namiko Love Browner, born in 2008, with R&B singer O'Ryan. She was married to producer Dot da Genius from 2014 to 2017. Aiko has been in a long-term, on-again, off-again relationship with rapper Big Sean, with whom she formed the duo Twenty88. The couple welcomed their son, Noah Hasani, in November 2022.