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.
Limbo Limbo Limbo
Jhené Aiko Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With the need to be as simple
As her makers and the made up things she dreamed
Falling from high buildings 'til she
Was numb to the feeling really
She would never be quite what she seemed
She was just as hollow as a
Earth opened up, swallowing her
Her whole life was on a ride, on a ride, life was on a ride
Sailing through the cosmic seas
Her celestial frequency was needed
To fulfill the prophecy
She was too real to believe in
Though if they would, she could free them
From the truth that they've been told a lie, their whole life
On a ride, yeah whole life was on a ride, on a ride
Life is on a ride, your whole life is on a ride
Your whole life is on a ride
Your whole life is on a ride, always wondered why
Use to be so different you were not this type of guy
Always set aside all your extra pride
Then you started trippin' different bitches on the side
And I am not surprised, no I am not surprised
You always demanded things that I could not supply
And I could not survive
If you don't have survival then I cannot take that ride
Your whole life is on a ride, your whole life is on a ride
She was just as basic as the universal language of love
Necessary to keep him alive
The lyrics of Jhené Aiko's song "Limbo Limbo Limbo" explore the concept of being stuck in a state of limbo or being in-between two places or states of being. The singer describes herself as being born in limbo, always trying to keep things simple and constantly dreaming of made-up things. She talks about her experiences of falling from high buildings and becoming numb to feeling, as well as feeling hollow and not quite what she seemed.
Despite her struggles, however, the singer believes that she has a unique purpose in life. She describes herself as sailing through the cosmic seas and possessing a celestial frequency that is needed to fulfill a prophecy. She believes that she can free people from the lies that they have been told their entire lives and that her whole life is a ride.
The singer also touches on issues of relationships and self-worth. She sings about a man who demanded things from her that she couldn't supply and who she couldn't survive with. She encourages him to take control of his own life and reminds him that his whole life is a ride.
Overall, "Limbo Limbo Limbo" is a reflective and introspective song that explores themes of self-discovery, self-worth, and purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
She was born in limbo
Jhené Aiko was born in a state of limbo, not quite fitting in and feeling out of place.
With the need to be as simple
She wanted to live an uncomplicated life without any drama or stress.
As her makers and the made-up things she dreamed
She was influenced by her environment and the things she imagined, which were sometimes not real.
Falling from high buildings 'til she
Jhené Aiko faced many failures and setbacks in life and got used to the feeling of falling down.
Was numb to the feeling really
She became somewhat desensitized to the pain and disappointment that came with failing.
She would never be quite what she seemed
She realized that people around her made assumptions and judgments about her, but they never knew the real her.
She was just as hollow as a
She felt empty and unfulfilled inside, like a hollow object.
Earth opened up, swallowing her
She felt like the earth had opened up and swallowed her whole, like she wasn't really here.
Off the grid and into paradise, her whole life on a ride
Jhené Aiko decided to leave her old life behind and start fresh, with no plans or expectations of what was to come.
Sailing through the cosmic seas
She felt like she was on a journey through the universe, experiencing all sorts of different things.
Her celestial frequency was needed
Her unique energy and spirit were necessary to fulfill a higher purpose or calling.
To fulfill the prophecy
She had a sense of destiny or fate that was leading her to do important things.
She was too real to believe in
She felt like her authenticity and realness were unappreciated or ignored by others.
Though if they would, she could free them
Jhené Aiko believed that if people embraced her truth, they could be liberated from their own illusions.
From the truth that they've been told a lie, their whole life
She saw that many people had been lied to their whole lives and needed to be set free from those illusions.
Your whole life is on a ride, always wondered why
Jhené Aiko recognizes that everyone has a journey they're on, and oftentimes we wonder why certain things happen.
Use to be so different you were not this type of guy
She's reflecting on how someone she used to know has changed and doesn't seem like the same person they once were.
Always set aside all your extra pride
In the past, this person was humble and willing to put their ego aside.
Then you started trippin' different bitches on the side
Recently, however, this person has started acting recklessly and cheating on their partner.
And I am not surprised, no I am not surprised
Jhené Aiko isn't shocked at this person's behavior because maybe they weren't as genuine as she once thought.
You always demanded things that I could not supply
This person always wanted more from Jhené Aiko than she could give, and that was a source of tension in their relationship.
And I could not survive
Jhené Aiko couldn't keep giving and giving if it meant sacrificing her own well-being.
If you don't have survival then I cannot take that ride
Jhené Aiko can't continue to be a part of this person's journey if it means putting herself in harm's way.
Your whole life is on a ride
Jhené Aiko reminds this person that their life is their own journey, and they need to take responsibility for it.
Always wondered why
She understands that it's human nature to question why things happen, and that's okay.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Missing Link Music
Written by: BRINTON E. EWART, JHENE AIKO CHILOMBO, OLADIPO O. OMISHORE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dedel Lofer
She was born in limbo
With the need to be as simple
As her makers and the made up things she dreamed
Falling from high buildings 'til she
Was numb to the feeling really
She would never be quite what she seemed
She was just as hollow as a
Earth opened up, swallowing her
Off the grid and into paradise, her whole life on a ride
Her whole life was on a ride, on a ride, life was on a ride
Sailing through the cosmic seas
Her celestial frequency was needed
To fulfill the prophecy
She was too real to believe in
Though if they would, she could free them
From the truth that they've been told a lie, their whole life
On a ride, yeah whole life was on a ride, on a ride
Life is on a ride, your whole life is on a ride
Your whole life is on a ride
Your whole life is on a ride, always wondered why
Use to be so different you were not this type of guy
Always set aside all your extra pride
Then you started trippin' different bitches on the side
And I am not surprised, no I am not surprised
You always demanded things that I could not supply
And I could not survive
If you don't have survival then I cannot take that ride
Your whole life is on a ride, your whole life is on a ride
She was just as basic as the universal language of love
Necessary to keep him alive
Lee Roy-EL
She was just as basic as the universal language of love
Necessary to keep him alive..... Jhene Aiko needs a Cancer/Scorpio man with some Fire / earth placements
Jhene Aiko's Moon is 16°21' degrees in Pisces, of the 3rd House
Moon Aspects
Moon sextile Mars orb +0°13'
Moon trine Pluto orb +4°03'
Moon semi-square Jupiter orb +0°29'
Moon square Ascendant orb +5°59'
Moon opposite Midheaven orb -7°46'
Moon sextile Venus orb -4°20'
Sun conjunction Moon orb +10°35
Moon sextile Neptune orb +6°20'
Jhene Aiko's Sun is 26°57' degrees in Pisces, of the 4th House
Sun Aspects
Sun opposite Midheaven orb -2°48'
Sun square Uranus orb -3°57'
Sun square Saturn orb -5°06'
Sun semi-square Venus orb +0°04'
Sun sesqui-quadrate Pluto orb -0°21'
Sun conjunction Moon orb +10°35
Sun quintile Mars orb -1°11'
while her Mars, Uranus, Saturn, Neptune all are in Capricorn... and Jupiter with Venus in Taurus ... plus her Midheaven is 24°08' degrees in Virgo
Alli Eliz
She healed my soul with her music when i was lost thank you Jhene you will always be number one in my book
Zhimond Coleman
Rs. 💯☮️
Lamar P
Facts Her Voice is Soothing 🔥
Vee
👏🏿
Lil Matty D
My sister you took the words right out of my mouth. 'Caught me at an awful time...hadnt seen it in awhile.' Xo
tamron & Jaida & Brancy white
Facts
javaplant
this song really shows jhene's writing skills, amazing!
Rudra B
ye her mind and imagination works absolute wonders
Space Cake
Can't get enough of Jhene! She is absolutely amazing! <3
Rudra B
saaaaame