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. She has been described as having gentle and pop-tinged vocals. [Tyler Antonius]
Jhené Aiko was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of Christina Yamamoto and Dr. Karamo Chilombo (birth name Greg Barnes), a pediatrician. 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. She often states her ethnicity as "Japanese, African American, Native American, etc." based on percentages but identifies with all parts of her heritage. Aiko has also stated that she has French ancestry and has stated regarding her ancestry, "I’m a quarter Japanese. That’s the only percentage I know for sure because it’s my grandfather's. 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. This led to Jhené’s first meeting with producer Chris Stokes when she was five years old, and eventually he heard her sing. When B2K signed with Epic Records, Jhené was signed as well. She served as the opening act for B2K on their Scream Tour 3.
Aiko began her musical career contributing vocals to several B2K releases in 2002. She featured on tracks five through eight of the R&B group's remix album B2K: The Remixes - Volume 1. "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!. Her song "Dog" appeared as a bonus track.
Aiko 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. (Part 2)" featuring Lil' Fizz video and Morgan Smith's 2004 video "Blow Ya Whistle". Jhené also has songs featured on the soundtracks of Barbershop, The Master of Disguise, You Got Served, The Proud Family, and Byou. 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.
Aiko 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. She then began to focus on school and continue her education.
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. In this meeting, I was innocently told, to ‘sell’ myself when walking into these meetings. “That’s when I decided I would ‘sail’ myself rather than sell myself.” Aiko released a mixtape on March 16, 2011 entitled Sailing Soul(s) via her official website, JheneAiko.com. 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. Lbs and “Growing Apart” which was produced by Tae Beast. The album's artwork was shot by photographer Jay 3. The mixtape also features collaborations from Miguel, Drake, and Kanye West, as well as others.
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 free tickets were given away at the Key Club box office on July 6 from 11AM-5PM on a first-come, first-served basis. The concert started at 7:00pm and finished as 9:30pm, lasting a duration of two and a half hours. On October 21, 2012 Aiko released a music video for the song "My Mine". Aiko also released a video for the mixtapes second track "Stranger". Datpiff certified the mixtape gold with downloads of 100,000. 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.
In 2012, Aiko met with No I.D., record producer and vice president of A&R at Def Jam, who ended up signing Aiko to his Artium Records imprint through Def Jam. Aiko released the track "3:16AM" which was made available for digital download on iTunes September 4, 2012. The song was released as the first single from 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. In June 2013, Aiko was featured on the Big Sean song "Beware", which ended up reaching the Top 40 in the United States. This was her first song to chart on the US Billboard Hot 100. In October 2013, it was revealed Jhené Aiko would open for Canadian rapper Drake on his Would You like a Tour? concert tour. She had previously collaborated with Drake on his third album Nothing Was the Same (2013), lending her vocals on the tracks "Wu-Tang Forever" and "From Time".
Aiko then released her debut EP Sail Out, on November 12, 2013. "Bed Peace" featuring Childish Gambino was released as the album's second single on September 17, 2013. The single's artwork was inspired by John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Bed-Ins for Peace protest against the Vietnam War. The EP features guest appearances from American rappers Vince Staples, Childish Gambino, Kendrick Lamar, and Ab-Soul. The EP debuted at number eight on the US Billboard 200 chart, with first-week sales of 34,000 copies. On January 14, 2014, "The Worst" was serviced to rhythmic contemporary radio in the United States as the album's third single. 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 reached the same feat with "Need U Bad" in 2008. "The Worst" also rose forty seven to forty three on the Hot 100. The song peaked on the US Billboard Hot 100 at forty-three, becoming Aiko's first solo release to chart in the region, the song also peaked at number eleven on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.
On January 18, 2014, Aiko appeared on Saturday Night Live performing the song "From Time", with the episode's guest host, Drake. In a January 2014 interview with Vibe, Aiko announced her debut studio album Souled Out would be released in May 2014. However the album would be delayed. On March 16, 2014, Aiko premiered a song titled "My Afternoon Dream," along with an accompanying music video directed by Aiko and Krissy. It has yet to be revealed if the song, produced by Key Wane, will feature on the album.
On June 23, 2014, Aiko posted the cover art and a snippet of Souled Out's first single, titled "To Love & Die", on her official Instagram page. The single's artwork was described as "space-y" by Adelle Platon of Vibe magazine. The song was released for digital download on iTunes, the following day. 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 19 September 2014 in New York, at the Barclays Center and end on October 10 in San Francisco, at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. Aiko and frequent collaborator Schoolboy Q, were confirmed as the tour's supporting acts.
Aiko is a Christian, having been baptized when she was 16 at the evangelical Pentecostal Foursquare Church. At the age of 20, Aiko became pregnant by American R&B singer O'Ryan and gave birth to her daughter Namiko on November 19, 2008. Before losing her brother Miyagi to cancer on July 19, 2012, Aiko recorded "For My Brother" on her laptop, which was initially intended only for her brother's ears. He died soon after hearing the record. On August 27, 2013, Aiko was involved in a car accident in Los Angeles along with her daughter Namiko, older sister Miyoko, and her daughter's father O'Ryan. Aiko suffered a broken wrist, chipped tooth and had stitches in her chin. Her daughter, however, was unharmed in the accident.
Back to the Streets
Jhené Aiko Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Next thing, upgrade, who's next? (Who's next?)
Rich boy got him on deck (on deck)
Good boy, tell that nigga fetch, I
Put my new man on a leash (on a leash)
Traded in my old nigga, he was just a lease
I ride around town 'til I leave
I gave the boy a round spin him back to the streets
Yeah, I spin him back to the streets
Like la-da-dee-da-dee-da (da-dee-da)
Back to the streets
So clean when I pull up to the scene
Big goals and I put that on me
What you thinkin'? What's good?
Fuck how you feel and I wish a nigga would
Had to hit the Heisman on ya homies
Steppin' in here, bad bitches only
My ex used to act like he owned me
Ain't enough just to treat me like a trophy
I had that, passed that, knew I had to trash that
Bounced on his ass, turn that boy into a flashback
I'm a 5 star bitch with the price tag
Gotta find me somebody that could match that
My last one got on my last nerve
Made me go change my passwords
I hit the curve with bad swerve
You know I get the last word
Pull up in my hood best dressed (best dressed)
Next thing, upgrade, who's next? (Who's next?)
Rich boy got him on deck (on deck)
Good boy, tell that nigga fetch, I
Put my new man on a leash (on a leash)
Traded in my old nigga, he was just a lease
I ride around town 'til I leave
I gave the boy a round spin him back to the streets
Like la-da-dee-da-dee-da
Yeah, I spin him back to the streets
Like la-da-dee-da-dee-da (da-dee-da)
(Yeah), back to the streets
Back to the streets, sent you back to your old hood
On hood, baby, this is for your own good
I'm a player ass bitch and you knew it
Had a good time, now I'm ready for some new dick
Passed it to Saweetie, now you hit it, through with it
There it ain't really nothin' else to do with it
Yeah, you know I leveled up
I can't be stuck
I wish you luck though
Consider yourself blessed
You got to fuck with the baddest
You know that I can't be capped, no, I gotta dip out
Pull up in my hood best dressed (best dressed)
Next thing, upgrade, who's next? (Who's next?)
Rich boy got him on deck
Good boy, tell that nigga fetch (yeah)
I put my new man on a leash (on a leash)
Traded in my old nigga, he was just a lease (ooh)
I ride around town 'til I leave ('til I leave, oh)
I gave the boy a round spin him back to the streets
Like la-da-dee-da-dee-da
Yeah, I spin him back to the streets
Like la-da-dee-da-dee-da
Back to the streets
La-da-dee-da-dee-da
Back to the streets
Ba-back to the streets
La-da-dee-da-dee-da
Yeah
Back to the streets
(Put my new man on a leash)
(He was just a lease)
(Ride around town 'til I leave)
The lyrics of "Back to the Streets" by Jhene Aiko explore the idea of empowerment and self-love post-breakup. She narrates how she moved on from her old relationship and embraced the single life by focusing on her personal goals and ambitions, and finding a new man who treats her better. The lines "I put my new man on a leash, traded in my old nigga, he was just a lease" signify her taking control of her love life and being assertive with her new man, portraying her independence and strength. Additionally, Aiko emphasizes her confidence in herself with a reference to being a "5 star bitch with the price tag", highlighting her value and self-worth. In the chorus, she repeatedly sings "back to the streets", indirectly telling her ex that he no longer plays a part in her life and that she is back to being the person she was before.
The second verse of the song emphasizes her readiness to move on from her old relationship, with the line "had a good time, now I'm ready for some new dick." She is unapologetic about her needs and desires, and the line "consider yourself blessed, you got to fuck with the baddest" demonstrates her confidence in her own worth. Finally, the song ends with the same chorus, highlighting the idea that she has moved on from the past and is back in control of her own life.
Line by Line Meaning
Pull up in my hood best dressed
I make a grand entrance in my neighborhood looking my best
Next thing, upgrade, who's next?
What's the next big thing? Who's next to experience it?
Rich boy got him on deck
I have a wealthy man available and ready for me
Good boy, tell that nigga fetch, I
My new man is well-behaved and obedient, while I assert my control
Put my new man on a leash
I am possessive of my new boyfriend and want him close
Traded in my old nigga, he was just a lease
I've moved on from my previous boyfriend because our relationship was only temporary
I ride around town 'til I leave
I travel around the city and enjoy myself until I have to go
I gave the boy a round spin him back to the streets
I took my new man for a ride, but ultimately brought him back to where he came from
Like la-da-dee-da-dee-da
I'm carefree and unbothered about the situation
Yeah, I spin him back to the streets
I left my new man just like I left my old one, in the streets
So clean when I pull up to the scene
My entrance into any space is always impeccable
Big goals and I put that on me
I have ambitious aspirations for myself and hold myself accountable for achieving them
What you thinkin'? What's good?
What's on your mind? What's happening?
Fuck how you feel and I wish a nigga would
I don't care about your emotions or opinion, and I dare you to test me
Had to hit the Heisman on ya homies
I had to ignore or dismiss your friends because they're not important to me
Steppin' in here, bad bitches only
I only associate with women who are as fierce and confident as me
My ex used to act like he owned me
My previous boyfriend was controlling and possessive
Ain't enough just to treat me like a trophy
I'm not satisfied with being treated as a prize; I want to be respected and valued as an equal
I had that, passed that, knew I had to trash that
I had that relationship, moved on from it, and knew it was time to let it go
Bounced on his ass, turn that boy into a flashback
I ended that relationship and have no intention of looking back
I'm a 5 star bitch with the price tag
I'm a high-caliber woman with high standards and expectations
Gotta find me somebody that could match that
I need someone who can meet my standards
My last one got on my last nerve
My ex-boyfriend annoyed and infuriated me
Made me go change my passwords
He violated my trust and privacy, forcing me to update my security settings
I hit the curve with bad swerve
I left him with no hesitation or remorse
You know I get the last word
I have the final say in any situation
Back to the streets, sent you back to your old hood
I took you for a ride, then sent you back to where you came from
On hood, baby, this is for your own good
I did this for your own benefit
I'm a player ass bitch and you knew it
I'm a manipulative woman, and you were aware of this
Had a good time, now I'm ready for some new dick
I enjoyed myself with you, but I'm ready for someone else
Passed it to Saweetie, now you hit it, through with it
I moved on from you and passed you along to another woman
There it ain't really nothin' else to do with it
There's nothing more to be done with our relationship
Yeah, you know I leveled up
I've elevated my status and moved on to bigger and better things
I can't be stuck, I wish you luck though
I refuse to be held back and wish you well on your own journey
Consider yourself blessed
You were lucky to have been with me
Back to the streets
I'm back where I belong - living my life unconstrained and unbothered
(Put my new man on a leash)
(I have control over my new boyfriend)
(He was just a lease)
(My ex-boyfriend was only temporary)
(Ride around town 'til I leave)
(I'm making the most of my time before moving on)
Lyrics © Ultra Tunes, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Aleicia Gibson, Diamonte Harper, Donny Flores, Frederico Vindver, Gino Borri, Jose Velaquez, Matthew Crabtree, Michael Suski, Sara Mitchell, Simon Plummer, Timothy Mosley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pinkmoonlust
I tried not to feel
Like this song
Didn't HIT ME AS HARD AS IT EVER COULD WITH EVERY LINE
cuz I felt guilty
Singing it while dating someone
I was trying to never leave
But after I left everyone who ever abused me or neglected me,
This song
Makes me dance against my will
And hits me so hard
I feel like crying in the purest joy
Every line hits me like a flashback that makes me scream
F_______FFF YES
I CONCUR
I AGREE
I APPROVE
sorry for yelling in all caps cuz
💕💕💕💕❣️❣️❣️❣️💥💥💥💥🤯
@OfficialSaweetieMusic
✈️💕CLOSER feat. H.E.R ✈️💕 out now: https://Saweetie.lnk.to/CloserVideo
@LongArmWitches
💓💓💓
@Perfectlyky
pr3tty.kyrah ❄
@IreneTheeWriter
Hey Saweetie! I love your new single! Please keep dropping music and don’t fall for the haters!! Every artist goes through trial and error; that’s why humans deserve the right to hone their skills and grow! Thanks for repping California rappers as well!! 💕💕💕
@marisataylor3rd138
Sorry i didnt know how much music we could put out how it works ive said words they made me im up to better! Thanks for listrners for real sorry i couldnt be stronger.
@queenv4340
🔥🔥🔥🔥
@queenq3163
I love the intentional representation of their Black and Asian cultures.
Her costumes are next level.... the song obviously is amazing too. She's a fully seasoned artist now and it shows
@blowz4x281
OMG
https://youtu.be/OmyxU7b-eu8
@lololololos310
Check out this piano improvisation https://youtu.be/ba_auLRu5a0
@rj6505
They finally showed some Asian man but look how they represented them. I know they can find a handsome Asian man but they doesn't want to hurt the black males ego so...