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.
Party for Me
Jhené Aiko Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Party hard, party hard, party hard for me
Party hard, party hard, party hard for me when I'm gone
Party hard for me, party hard for me
Party hard, party hard, party hard for me when I'm gone
Party hard for me, party hard, yeah
You could come too even if you didn't know me
It's a celebration, I finally made it
Time to get wasted, go 'head, get faded, yeah
Go 'head, pour that sake (sake), right in front of 'Sace ('Sace)
I'm up here chillin' with Miyagi (yeah, yeah)
Got my grandpa Teddy right here beside me (what up?)
Yeah, party hard, party hard, party hard for me when I'm gone (party for me)
Party hard, party hard, party hard for me, yeah (oh)
Party hard, party hard, party hard for me when I'm gone (I really need you to)
Party hard, party hard, party hard for me, yeah
It's a party on a boat, somebody make some gumbo
Shoutout Yamamotos and Chilombos, uh
Rose gold decorations, do it for your girl in commemoration
Look, I'ma need y'all dancin'
And when you cryin', don't stop cryin' 'til you laughin'
Yeah, I'ma need a bonfire on the beach
I'ma need everybody there to make a speech (do it)
Shut down the block and have a party in the streets (Slauson)
And keep partyin' for weeks
And go to Simply Wholesome for a feast
Keep it goin' just for me, peace
Party hard, party hard, party hard for me when I'm gone
Party hard, party hard, party hard for me (yeah)
Party hard for me when I'm gone (yeah)
Sing along to the songs that I sung to you (oh, oh, oh)
Party hard for me when I'm gone (ooh, party for me)
Carry on
(Oh, yeah, uh)
Party hard for me, let all my dawgs in, bitch, pardon me
Got a red cup, shawty made it far for me
No strip club, she gon' take it off for me, yeah
My dawg on the Henny but I'm off that '42
You're not from my hood, lil' boy, I ain't heard of you
New to my city, my niggas extortin' you
You nobody 'til one of these niggas murder you
So party hard while I'm still here (still here)
Beat the system and we made it past twenty-five (five)
Fuck that cryin' and dyin', I'm tryna stay alive
Speak that shit to existence 'til I'm a billionaire
I'm the king of Celine, the drip's so debonair
Big Lambo zaddy like a muh'fucka
I'm a sex symbol, I need a Playboy cover
In the song, Jhené Aiko and Ty Dolla $ign speak about their wish for their friends and loved ones to party hard for them even when they are no longer around. The song starts with the repetition of the line "party hard for me when I'm gone" to emphasize the importance of it. The first verse talks about the celebration of Aiko's success and encourages everyone to drink and have a good time. She mentions her grandfather Teddy, who is likely no longer alive, indicating that the song could be a tribute to him to encourage celebration rather than mourning. The second verse talks about the fun elements of a party like having gumbo, dancing, and having a bonfire on the beach. The song ends with Ty Dolla $ign addressing a new audience, encouraging them to party hard for him, and expressing his desire for greatness.
Line by Line Meaning
Party hard, party hard, party hard for me when I'm gone
Have a great time and celebrate my life as if I am still here
Party hard, party hard, party hard for me
Celebrate my life and all the good times we had together
Party hard for me, party hard for me
Have fun and party in my honor, show me some love
Party hard, party hard, party hard for me when I'm gone
Enjoy your life and party hard even when I am no longer here
Party hard for me, party hard, yeah
Celebrate my life for me and enjoy every moment
Blue cups only, color for the homies
Use blue cups only as a sign of respect for my homies
You could come too even if you didn't know me
Everyone is welcome to join the party and celebrate my life
It's a celebration, I finally made it
This is a celebration of my achievements in life
Time to get wasted, go 'head, get faded, yeah
It is time to let loose, have fun, and enjoy the company of each other
Go 'head, pour that sake (sake), right in front of 'Sace ('Sace)
Go ahead and pour some sake, right in front of Versace
I'm up here chillin' with Miyagi (yeah, yeah)
I am up here relaxing with Miyagi
Got my grandpa Teddy right here beside me (what up?)
My dear grandpa Teddy is here with me at this moment
Yeah, party hard, party hard, party hard for me when I'm gone (party for me)
Party hard and have a great time in my absence as if I am still here
Party hard, party hard, party hard for me, yeah (oh)
Let's party and have the best possible time in my name
Party hard, party hard, party hard for me when I'm gone (I really need you to)
Party hard in my honor when I am no longer here, it would mean a lot to me
Party hard, party hard, party hard for me, yeah
Have a great time and enjoy the party in my name
It's a party on a boat, somebody make some gumbo
We are having a party on the boat, let's make some gumbo to celebrate the occasion
Shoutout Yamamotos and Chilombos, uh
A shoutout to Yamamotos and Chilombos
Rose gold decorations, do it for your girl in commemoration
Let's decorate with rose gold and commemorate your girl
Look, I'ma need y'all dancin'
Let's dance all night and have a great time together
And when you cryin', don't stop cryin' 'til you laughin'
It is okay to cry, but don't stop until you have something to laugh about
Yeah, I'ma need a bonfire on the beach
Let's have a bonfire on the beach and celebrate together
I'ma need everybody there to make a speech (do it)
Everyone should give a speech, let's hear all the great stories
Shut down the block and have a party in the streets (Slauson)
Let's shut down the block and celebrate with a big street party
And keep partyin' for weeks
Let's make this party last for weeks
And go to Simply Wholesome for a feast
Let's go to Simply Wholesome and enjoy a feast
Keep it goin' just for me, peace
Keep the party going just for me and have a peaceful time
Sing along to the songs that I sung to you (oh, oh, oh)
Sing along to the songs that I have sung for you
Carry on
Carry on and keep my memory alive through the stories you share
Party hard for me, let all my dawgs in, bitch, pardon me
Party hard in my name and let all my close friends come in
Got a red cup, shawty made it far for me
I'm drinking from a red cup, which a dear shawty made it for me
No strip club, she gon' take it off for me, yeah
We are not at a strip club, but she is still getting wild for me
My dawg on the Henny but I'm off that '42
My friend is drinking Hennessy, but I am drinking '42'
You're not from my hood, lil' boy, I ain't heard of you
You are not from my community, and therefore I have not heard about you
New to my city, my niggas extortin' you
If you are new to my city, my friends might try to extort money from you
You nobody 'til one of these niggas murder you
No one knows you until one of these people tries to kill you
So party hard while I'm still here (still here)
Party hard while I am still here, living my life to the fullest
Beat the system and we made it past twenty-five (five)
We have beaten the odds and made it past the age of 25, where many fall victim to various vices
Fuck that cryin' and dyin', I'm tryna stay alive
I am not interested in crying or dying, my focus is to stay alive and have a great time
Speak that shit to existence 'til I'm a billionaire
I am speaking positivity until I become a billionaire
I'm the king of Celine, the drip's so debonair
I am the king of Celine and my fashion style is elegance personified
Big Lambo zaddy like a muh'fucka
I am driving a big Lamborghini like a boss
I'm a sex symbol, I need a Playboy cover
I am a sex symbol and I deserve to be on the cover of Playboy magazine
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jhene Aiko Chilombo, Julian-Quan Viet Le, Tyrone William Griffin Jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mariilove4547
Think she wrote this in light of how many of our faves are passing away💔❤️
@Life_moreabundantly
👑👑👑👑💛⛅🙌🏾⛅
@dosesofJoedian
I was just saying this to myself 😩
@ariellegreen6052
Omg her rapping verse is sooooo cute🥺 cutness overload I can't
@jeanicewilliams9144
🤣🥺ikr😅😍
@pathtowarrior
She sound young and look young. It's ridiculous. That's good genes man
@ThePreciousBChannel
I loss my sister monday and this song just made me feel a little better because she definitely wants us to party for her. #RestEasyBabyGirl #TweetyStrong
@lifeasweknowit639
Precious Brooks May her Soul rest in Peace. Stay strong hun❤
@ThePreciousBChannel
@@lifeasweknowit639 thank you for your kind words!!
@Shawnantonioexperience
My condolences 🙏🏾