Jhené Aiko is an American R&B singer-songwriter and rapper from Los Angeles. She began her music career in 2002 as a backing vocalist and music video performer for the R&B group B2K. Signed to The Ultimate Group, she was initially marketed as Lil' Fizz's cousin, though they are not related. Aiko's debut album, planned for a 2003 release, was put on hold as she chose to prioritize her education.
Jhené Aiko Efuru Chilombo was born on March 16, 1988 in Los Angeles, California.
At the age of 15, Jhené Aiko released a video for her single "NO L.O.V.E," which debuted on BET's 106 & Park in 2002.
Jhené Aiko began her music career in 2002 as a backing vocalist and music video performer for the R&B group B2K. She was signed to their record label, The Ultimate Group, and marketed as Lil Fizz's cousin.
While signed to The Ultimate Group, Jhené Aiko contributed vocals to several B2K releases, as well as a song on "The Master of Disguise" soundtrack in 2002. During this time, she was marketed as Lil' Fizz's cousin to boost her profile, although they are not related. She appeared in music videos for artists like O'Ryan, B2K, P.Y.T., Play, and Morgan Smith, and had songs featured on various soundtracks.
Jhené Aiko was set to release her debut album, "My Name Is Jhené," in 2003, but it was never released due to issues at her label, Epic Records. She asked to be released from the label and left to prioritize her education.
Jhené Aiko's debut album, planned for release in 2003, was shelved due to her decision to prioritize her education.
Jhené Aiko appeared in Morgan Smith's music video for "Blow Ya Whistle" in 2004.
Jhené Aiko was baptized at the evangelical Pentecostal Foursquare Church in 2004.
Jhené Aiko and American R&B singer O'Ryan began dating in 2005.
In 2007, Jhené Aiko returned to music after a hiatus. She explained her decision in an interview, stating her preference for "sailing" her career on her own terms rather than "selling" herself.
Jhené Aiko gave birth to her daughter, Namiko Love Browner, with then-boyfriend O'Ryan, on November 19, 2008.
In 2008, Jazmine Sullivan became the first female artist in several years to reach the top of the charts with a debut lead single.
In March 2011, Jhené Aiko returned to music with her first full-length project, the mixtape "Sailing Soul(s)."
Jhené Aiko released her mixtape "Sailing Soul(s)" through her website on March 16, 2011. The mixtape featured collaborations with artists like Miguel, Drake, and Kanye West.
Jhené Aiko's brother, Miyagi Chilombo, passed away from cancer on July 19, 2012.
On September 4, 2012, Jhené Aiko released the track "3:16AM" as the lead single from her upcoming EP, "Sail Out."
Jhené Aiko released a music video for her song "My Mine" on October 21, 2012.
In June 2013, Jhené Aiko was featured on Big Sean's hit song "Beware." The track marked her first appearance on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
On August 27, 2013, Jhené Aiko was in a car accident with her daughter, sister, and her daughter's father in Los Angeles, suffering injuries while the other passengers remained unharmed.
In October 2013, Jhené Aiko was announced as the opening act for Drake's "Would You Like a Tour?" concert tour.
Jhené Aiko released her EP titled "Sail Out" on November 12, 2013, which featured a collaboration with Ab-Soul.
In 2013, Jhené Aiko gained mainstream recognition with her feature on Big Sean's single "Beware." The song became her first top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Jhené Aiko released her debut extended play, "Sail Out," in 2013.
While recording her debut EP "Sail Out" in 2013, Jhené Aiko drew significant inspiration from hip-hop and rap, particularly the beats. She also acknowledged the influence of artists like Janet Jackson, Ciara, and Nicki Minaj on the project. Aiko's upbringing in a musical family played a crucial role in shaping her sound, with her siblings' bands serving as early influences. Additionally, she cited R&B group TLC as a childhood inspiration. During the 1990s, Aiko's musical palette expanded to include artists like Alanis Morissette, Fiona Apple, and Lil' Kim, demonstrating a diverse range of influences. Later, she became an admirer of Sade Adu.
On January 14, 2014, "The Worst" was released to rhythmic contemporary radio in the United States as the third single from Jhené Aiko's "Sail Out" EP.
In a January 2014 interview with Vibe, Jhené Aiko announced that her debut studio album, "Souled Out," would be released in May of that year.
Jhené Aiko performed on "Saturday Night Live" on January 18, 2014. She performed "From Time" alongside the episode's host, Drake.
Jhené Aiko premiered her song "My Afternoon Dream," produced by Key Wane, on March 16, 2014. The accompanying music video, directed by Aiko and Krissy, was also released on the same day.
On May 2, 2014, "The Worst" reached number one on the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop airplay chart. This made Jhené Aiko the first female artist to top the chart with a debut single as a lead artist since Jazmine Sullivan in 2008.
Jhené Aiko's debut studio album, "Souled Out," which was originally scheduled for a May 2014 release, was delayed.
Jhené Aiko's single "To Love & Die" was released on June 23, 2014, as the lead single from her upcoming debut album.
On June 26, 2014, The Weeknd announced his "King of the Fall Tour" with Jhené Aiko and ScHoolboy Q as supporting acts.
On July 18, 2014, Jhené Aiko released "The Pressure," the second single from her debut album "Souled Out."
Jhené Aiko released her debut album, "Souled Out," on September 8, 2014, which was met with both critical and commercial success, debuting at number three on the US Billboard 200.
The "King of the Fall Tour," featuring The Weeknd, Jhené Aiko, and ScHoolboy Q, kicked off on September 19, 2014, in New York City.
The "King of the Fall Tour" concluded in October 2014 in San Francisco.
Jhené Aiko released "Wading," the third single from her debut album "Souled Out," on December 12, 2014, along with its music video.
Jhené Aiko's debut studio album, "Souled Out," was released in 2014, achieving both critical acclaim and commercial success.
In February 2015, Jhené Aiko received three Grammy Award nominations for the 57th Annual Grammy Awards, including Best R&B Song for "The Worst" and Best Urban Contemporary Album for "Sail Out."
Jhené Aiko released the song "Living Room Flow" for free on March 19, 2015.
Jhené Aiko's cover of "In a World of My Own / Very Good Advice" from Disney's "Alice in Wonderland" was released in October 2015 as part of the "We Love Disney" compilation album.
Jhené Aiko and rapper Big Sean announced their collaborative album as Twenty88 in March 2016.
Jhené Aiko and Oladipo "Dot da Genius" Omishore announced their marriage on March 16, 2016.
Jhené Aiko released "While We're Young," the lead single from her second studio album, in June 2016.
Jhené Aiko filed for divorce from Dot da Genius on August 9, 2016, citing irreconcilable differences.
Jhené Aiko and Big Sean began their on-again, off-again relationship in 2016.
On June 9, 2017, Jhené Aiko released "While We're Young," the lead single from her second studio album, "Trip."
A 23-minute autobiographical film entitled "Trip," co-directed by Jhené Aiko, was released on September 21, 2017, a day before her album of the same name.
Jhené Aiko unexpectedly released her second studio album, "Trip," on September 22, 2017.
On September 27, 2017, it was announced that Jhené Aiko would be opening for Lana Del Rey on select dates of her LA to the Moon Tour in January 2018.
Jhené Aiko's divorce from Dot da Genius was finalized in October 2017.
Jhené Aiko published her first book, "2Fish," in 2017, a collection of her poems, songs, and drawings.
Jhené Aiko's second studio album, "Trip," was released in 2017 and enjoyed continued success.
From January 5 to 13, 2018, Jhené Aiko toured with Lana Del Rey for her LA to the Moon Tour.
On May 8, 2019, Jhené Aiko released "Triggered (Freestyle)", the first official single from her then-upcoming 2019 album.
Jhené Aiko's third studio album, "Chilombo," was released in March 2020.
Jhené Aiko's third album, "Chilombo," was released in 2020. The album, which peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 chart, earned Aiko three Grammy Award nominations, including Album of the Year.
Jhené Aiko performed "America the Beautiful" before Super Bowl LVI on February 13, 2022.
Jhené Aiko launched the imprint Allel Sound in collaboration with Def Jam records in July 2022 and signed rapper August 8.
Jhené Aiko and Big Sean welcomed their son, Noah Hasani, on November 8, 2022.