This is an accepted version of this page Jhené Aiko Efuru Chilombo (/dʒəˈneɪ ˈaɪkoʊ/;[4] born March 16, 1988) is an American R&B singer-songwriter and rapper.

She was signed by their record label, The Ultimate Group that same year and was marketed as the "cousin" of B2K member Lil' Fizz to cultivate her own following,[5][6] although they are not related.

[7][8] Her debut album, slated for a 2003 release through the label with Epic Records, was shelved due to Aiko instead further pursuing her education.

[9] In March 2011, Aiko made her return to music with the release of her first full-length project, a mixtape titled Sailing Soul(s).

In November of that year, she released her debut extended play (EP) Sail Out, which spawned the singles "3:16AM", "Bed Peace" (featuring Childish Gambino) and "The Worst"—the latter received quintuple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

[13][14][15] Aiko is the daughter of Christina Yamamoto and pediatrician Karamo Chilombo (born Gregory Wycliff Barnes).

"[21] Aiko embarked on her musical career contributing vocals to several B2K releases, as well as a song on The Master of Disguise soundtrack in 2002, while signed to The Ultimate Group and managed by Chris Stokes.

[33] Aiko also has songs featured on the soundtracks of Barbershop,[34] The Master of Disguise,[35] You Got Served,[36] The Proud Family[37] and Byou.

[38] 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.

[6] 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.

[42] To promote the mixtape Aiko was joined by R&B singer Miguel on a one off free secret performance on Sunday, July 15.

[45] In 2011, she also began working closely with artists from Carson-based independent record label Top Dawg Entertainment such as Schoolboy Q, Kendrick Lamar, and Ab-Soul, the latter was featured on her EP released November 12, 2013, titled Sail Out.

In 2012, Aiko was also the opening act on the highly anticipated "Life Is Good/Black Rage" concert tour headlined by fellow American artists, rapper Nas and singer-songwriter Lauryn Hill.

[53] On January 14, 2014, "The Worst" was serviced to rhythmic contemporary radio in the United States as the album's third single.

[54] On May 2, 2014 "The Worst" rose from three to one on the airplay Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop, in doing so she became the first female artist to top the chart as a lead with a debut single since Jazmine Sullivan in 2008.

[58] In a January 2014 interview with Vibe, Aiko announced her debut studio album Souled Out would be released in May 2014.

[62] Following its release "To Love & Die" debuted and peaked at number forty-six on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop charts.

[63] On June 26, 2014, Canadian singer-songwriter The Weeknd, announced he would be headlining the "King of the Fall Tour", essentially a mini-tour across America in September / October 2014, the tour will consist of four shows and start on September 19, 2014, in New York, at the Barclays Center and end on October 10 in San Francisco, at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium.

According to the duo, "TWENTY88 tells the story of the highs and lows of a relationship, with insights into conflict, memories, love, sex, and more and features production from Key Wane, Detail, and Tommy Brown.

"[83] From late 2016 to mid-2017, Aiko released numerous non-album singles such as "Maniac", "First Fuck" with 6lack and "Hello Ego" featuring Chris Brown.

A 23-minute autobiographical film titled after the album was also released a day before Trip on September 21, 2017, co-directed by Aiko.

[92] In July 2022, Aiko started the imprint Allel Sound in collaboration with Def Jam records.

Shortly before his death, he was able to listen to her song "For My Brother", which was recorded on her laptop and initially intended only for him to hear.

[98] On August 9, 2016, Aiko filed for divorce from Dot da Genius, citing irreconcilable differences.

[109][110] Rap-Up says that she possesses a "sensually sweet voice"[111] while Jim Farber of the New York Daily News describes her voice as having a "feathery tone, sky-high pitch and dazed delivery" that floats "above the beat, sexy and aloof"; Farber has also said that Aiko is "the female answer" to Frank Ocean.

[112] Jordan Sargent of Pitchfork Media compared Aiko's vocals to those of R&B singers Cassie, Brandy, Ciara, and the late Aaliyah.

"[115] Aiko's newfound style lies somewhere between the soothing sounds of Sade and what can be nebulously described as "future R&B," a broad spectrum of pioneering music-makers making tunes best served in the midnight hour, including The Weeknd, Tinashe and FKA twigs.

Aiko reveals several lyrical verses in her book that can be found in her album Trip which was released the same year as the publication of 2Fish.

[130] Aiko cites American rapper Tupac as a major influence, saying he is "a big inspiration for me just to stick to who I am and to actually stand for something through music" and "an icon for speaking your mind and being you, even if it's controversial.

"[134] During the recording of her debut extended play "Sail Out" (2013), Aiko stated she took a large amount of influence from hip-hop and rap music notably the genre's beats.