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.
Lead The Way
Jhené Aiko Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah
We have a choice to
Build or destroy to
Fight or to come together
Love is a bridge and
Give it and it's gets better
There's an energy in the water
There is magic deep in our heart
There's a legacy that we honor
When we bring the light to the dark
Whatever brings us together
Can never tear us apart
We become stronger than ever
When we just trust
Trust and believe and
You'll see that, we'll lead the way
When we just trust
Trust and believe and
You'll see that, we'll lead the way
When we just trust
Trust and believe and
You'll see that, we'll lead the way
When we just trust
Trust and believe and
You'll see that, we'll lead the way
When you're broken, open up your heart and feel
There's no difference, we're all family here
It's 'bout all of our doubts, all our up and downs
There is never really anything to fear
There's an energy in the water
There is magic deep in our heart
There's a legacy that we honor
When we bring the light to the dark
Whatever brings us together
Can never tear us apart
We become stronger than ever
When we just trust
Trust and believe and
You'll see that, we'll lead the way
When we just trust
Trust and believe and
You'll see that, we'll lead the way
When we just trust
Trust and believe and
You'll see that, we'll lead the way
When we just trust
Trust and believe and
You'll see that, we'll lead the way
Takin' the first step, I see you as myself
Nothing we can do
Put the past behind
Learn from life itself
We can start brand new
There's an energy in the water
There is magic deep in our heart
There's a legacy that we honor
When we bring the light to the dark
Whatever brings us together
Can never tear us apart
We become stronger than ever
When we just trust
Trust and believe and
You'll see that, we'll lead the way
When we just trust
Trust and believe and
You'll see that, we'll lead the way
When we just trust
Trust and believe and
You'll see that, we'll lead the way
When we just trust
Trust and believe and
You'll see that, we'll lead the way
Kumandra, Kumandra
Kumandra, kumandra
Kumandra, Kumandra
Kumandra, kumandra
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh
In "Lead the Way," Jhené Aiko encourages us to choose the path of love, trust, and togetherness instead of destruction and division. She reminds us that love is a bridge and trust is a gift that we give and can make us stronger when we bring the light to the dark. The song also hints at the theme of Disney's Raya and the Last Dragon, a fantasy adventure story about a young girl named Raya who saves her land of Kumandra by uniting opposing tribes against a common enemy. The chorus that repeats "When we just trust, trust and believe, and you'll see that we'll lead the way" suggests that trust and belief are essential to leading the way towards a better future.
The lyrics of "Lead the Way" are straightforward and uplifting, promoting harmony and unity among people. Jhené Aiko's use of metaphors such as "There's an energy in the water" and "There is magic deep in our hearts" conveys the idea that we have the power to create positive change in the world through our collective energy and belief. The repetition of the chorus reinforces the message of hope and trust, inviting listeners to join in the quest for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
We have a choice to
We have the ability to decide whether we want to
Build or destroy to
Create or break down
Fight or to come together
Engage in conflict or unite in peace
Love is a bridge and
Love creates a way for two sides to connect
Trust is a gift, we
Trust is something we give as a present
Give it and it's gets better
When we give trust, things improve
There's an energy in the water
There is a particular vibration or force in the water
There is magic deep in our heart
There is a mystical aspect within ourselves
There's a legacy that we honor
We respect a tradition from the past
When we bring the light to the dark
When we bring hope to a difficult situation
Whatever brings us together
Anything that unites us
Can never tear us apart
Nothing can separate us
We become stronger than ever
We become even more resilient than before
When you're broken, open up your heart and feel
When you're hurt, allow yourself to be vulnerable and experience emotions
There's no difference, we're all family here
We are all equally connected to each other in some way
It's 'bout all of our doubts, all our up and downs
It's about all of our uncertainties and struggles
There is never really anything to fear
There is really no cause for alarm
Takin' the first step, I see you as myself
Starting the journey by recognizing that we are all fundamentally the same
Nothing we can do
There is nothing left to do
Put the past behind
Let go of what has already happened and move forward
Learn from life itself
Learn from the experiences we go through
We can start brand new
We can begin again with a fresh slate
Kumandra, Kumandra
Repetition of the name of a mythical land the song is dedicated to.
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh
Repetitive vocalization of the chorus line
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jhene Aiko Chilombo
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mélanie Gomez
Jasmine: Middle eastern
Tiana: African American
Mulan: Chinese
Pocahontas: Native American Indian
Moana: Pacific Islander
Elena: Latina (Mexican)
Raya: Southeast asian
So beautiful to have many cultures represented 💕✨
Indah Ariyanti
We have a choice to
Build or destroy to
Fight or to come together
Love is a bridge and
Trust is a gift, we
Give it and it gets better
There's an energy in the water
There is magic deep in our heart
There's a legacy that we honor
When we bring the light to the dark
Whatever brings us together
Can never tear us apart
We become stronger than ever
When we just trust
Trust and believe it
You'll see that, we'll lead the way
When we just trust
Trust and believe it
You'll see that, we'll lead the way
When we just trust
Trust and believe it
You'll see that, we'll lead the way
When we just trust
Trust and believe it
You'll see that, we'll lead the way (ooh, ooh)
When you're broken, open up your heart and feel
There's no difference, we're all family here
Despite all of our doubts, all our up and downs
There is never really anything to fear
There's an energy in the water
There is magic deep in our heart
There's a legacy that we honor
When we bring the light to the dark
Whatever brings us together
Can never tear us apart
We become stronger than ever
When we just trust
Trust and believe it
You'll see that, we'll lead the way
When we just trust
Trust and believe it
You'll see that, we'll lead the way
When we just trust
Trust and believe it
You'll see that, we'll lead the way
When we just trust
Trust and believe it
You'll see that, we'll lead the way (ooh, ooh)
Hmm-hmm, hmm
Oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh, oh-oh
Taking the first step, I see you as myself
Nothing we can do
Put the past behind
Learn from life this time
We can start brand-new
There's an energy in the water
There is magic deep in our heart
There's a legacy that we honor
When we bring the light to the dark
Whatever brings us together (whatever)
Can never tear us apart (tear us apart)
We become stronger than ever
When we just trust
Trust and believe it
You'll see that, we'll lead the way
When we just trust
Trust and believe it
You'll see that, we'll lead the way
When we just trust
Trust and believe it
You'll see that, we'll lead the way
When we just trust
Trust and believe it
You'll see that, we'll lead the way (ooh, ooh)
Hmm-hmm, hmm
Kumandra, Kumandra
Kumandra, Kumandra
Kumandra, Kumandra
Kumandra, Kumandra
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh
Vidio Unik
I love this song ❤❤❤
S2Louise Batatinha
Same ❤❤❤💓S2
Denis Alfaisa
Ehh Video unik😂
Vidio Unik
@Denis Alfaisa hai 🇲🇨
Denis Alfaisa
@Vidio Unik hai🇮🇩
Vidio Unik
@Denis Alfaisa hi too ❤
Average Random Videos
Disney really did they're homework! This has been the most accurate representation of Southeast Asia, the amount of realism even on the smallest details is astounding.
Ally Marie
sad that there's only a few southeast asian people voicing tho
moni
@Ally Marie true like awkwafina isnt even sea
YourIMPROOFment
You have GIANT ROLLING armadillos in Southeast Asia???