In 2011, she also began working closely with artists from Carson-based independent record label Top Dawg Entertainment such as Schoolboy Q and Ab-Soul. Datpiff certified the mixtape gold with downloads of 100,000. Aiko also released a video for the mixtapes second track "Stranger". On OctoAiko released a music video for the song "My Mine". The concert started at 7:00pm and finished as 9:30pm, lasting a duration of two and a half hours.
The free tickets were given away at the Key Club box office on July 6 from 11AM-5PM on a first-come, first-served basis. To promote the mixtape Aiko was joined by Grammy-nominated R&B singer Miguel on a one-off free secret tour on Sunday, July 15. The mixtape also features collaborations from Miguel, Drake, and Kanye West, as well as others. The album's artwork was shot by photographer Jay 3. Lbs and “Growing Apart” which was produced by Tae Beast. All the songs on the mixtape were written by her, except “July” which was written by Micah Powell and most of the songs were produced by Fisticuffs, except “July” and “You vs Them” which were produced by Bei Maejor, “Real Now” which was produced by Roosevelt, “Do Better” which was produced by J. “That’s when I decided I would ‘sail’ myself rather than sell myself.” Aiko released a mixtape on Maentitled Sailing Soul(s) via her official website,. In this meeting, I was innocently told, to ‘sell’ myself when walking into these meetings. In 2007, she made a return to music, in an interview she spoke on the choice saying “Shortly before I conceived my daughter, I stepped back into the field and took a meeting with a label head. She then began to focus on school and continue her education. She released a video for her single "NO L.O.V.E" (re-recorded from Tha' Rayne version in 2002) which debuted on BET's 106 & Park when she was 15 years old.Īiko was set to release her debut album, then-titled My Name Is Jhené, however the album was never released due to tension at the record label Epic, which ultimately led to Aiko asking to be released from the label. Jhené also has songs featured on the soundtracks of Barbershop, The Master of Disguise, You Got Served, The Proud Family, and Byou. (Part 2)" featuring Lil' Fizz video and Morgan Smith's 2004 video "Blow Ya Whistle". Her song "Dog" appeared as a bonus track.Īiko also appeared in numerous music videos including O'Ryan's debut video, "Take It Slow", B2K's debut video "Uh Huh" and "Why I Love You", P.Y.T.'s "Same Ol' Same Ol' (Remix)" featuring Sarai, Play's "M.A.S.T.E.R. "Santa Baby", a cover she recorded, was also featured on their album Santa Hooked Me Up and she appeared as a guest vocalist on the song "Tease" from Pandemonium!. She featured on tracks five through eight of the R&B group's remix album B2K: The Remixes - Volume 1.
She served as the opening act for B2K on their Scream Tour 3.Īiko began her musical career contributing vocals to several B2K releases in 2002. When B2K signed with Epic Records, Jhené was signed as well. This led to Jhené’s first meeting with producer Chris Stokes when she was five years old, and eventually he heard her sing. And then everyone else is pretty much like mixed." Her older sisters Miyoko and Jamila were in the R&B group Gyrl and toured with Immature, who were signed to MCA/Silas Records. That’s the only percentage I know for sure because it’s my grandfather's. Aiko has also stated that she has French ancestry and has stated regarding her ancestry, "I’m a quarter Japanese. She often states her ethnicity as "Japanese, African American, Native American, etc." based on percentages but identifies with all parts of her heritage. She is of mixed race background-her mother is of Japanese, Spanish, and Dominican descent, while her father is of African American, Yaqui, Choctaw, Cherokee, Navajo, and German Jewish descent. Karamo Chilombo (birth name Greg Barnes), a pediatrician. Jhené Aiko was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of Christina Yamamoto and Dr. She has been described as having gentle and pop-tinged vocals. On December 16, 2011, Aiko signed a recording contract with American record producer No I.D.'s record label Artium, distributed through Def Jam Recordings.
It was used as a marketing tool suggested by Sony and Epic to promote her through the R&B group B2K and attract an audience, though Aiko affirms that she and Lil' Fizz grew up together and were close like family. Aiko began her career being known as "Lil' Fizz's cousin", however she is not actually related to him. Formerly signed to The Ultimate Group and Epic Records, she left both labels in order to continue her education. Jhené Aiko Efuru Chilombo (born March 16, 1988), better known as Jhené Aiko or simply Jhené, is an American singer-songwriter and recording artist from Los Angeles, California.