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.
Promises
Jhené Aiko Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been sleeping past day light
I'm waking up you're not by my side
Baby that ain't right
I wanna be there with you
I really do be missing you
Everything I do is for you
And I really do adore you
You're making me so proud cuz
You are such a star
And you know that you are
So every single little moment
I can't be there to hold your hand
I need for you to know that
I need for you to know that
Anything should happen, anything should happen
'Cause anything could, if anything should happen
Know that you'll be alright, know that you'll be alright
Just promise you'll be alright, promise you'll be alright
If anything (Alright, promise I'll be alright)
(Promise I'll be alright, promise I'll be alright)
If anything should happen (Promise I'll be alright)
(Promise I'll be alright, promise I'll be, promise I'll be, alright)
Swear that I can still feel you here
I just can't believe you're not here
I've been needing you
All I dream is you
Don't think I can make it
I don't think I can make it
But then I hear you say that
I bet not do nothing crazy
'Cause Nami really needs you
And I would never leave you
'Cause I am in the stars
And everywhere you are
And every single little moment
Every single bit of sunshine just
Know that I am right by your side
Know that you are right by my side
So I'm gonna make you so proud
You don't ever have to worry 'bout me
No, you don't ever have to worry 'bout me
Promise I'll be alright, promise I'll be alright
Wish that you were here now
I'm missing you right here but
Promise I'll be alright, promise I'll be alright
Promise I'll be alright, promise I'll be, promise I'll be
Promise I'll be alright, just know that I'll be alright
Know that I'll be alright, know that I'll be, know that I'll be alright
Alright
Alright, alright, alright
Alright, alright, alright
Everything is alright, everything's in your mind
Life is what you make it, life is what you make it
And anything can happen, anything can happen
But you just gotta get past it, you just gotta laugh at it
And anything can happen, you fall down get back up
And you better believe that nothing holding me back
So everything is alright, everything is alright
Everything is alright, promise I'll be
Promise you'll be, promise we'll be alright
Hello, echo
In this song, Jhené Aiko sings about her fear of leaving her loved ones behind. She starts off by admitting that she's been coming home late at night and sleeping past daylight. She wakes up to find that her loved one is not by her side, and she realizes that it's not right. She genuinely misses them and wants to be there for them. Despite everything, she has been doing to make their life better. She feels a sense of inadequacy and feels like she's missing out on important moments in their life. She recognizes that they are growing up, but she is proud of them, and she wants them to know that. She asks for them to promise that they'll be alright if anything happens to her because anything could happen. Jhené Aiko expresses her vulnerability and fears in this song and wants to assure her loved ones that they mean the world to her.
The lines "Swear that I can still feel you here
I just can't believe you're not here" illustrates her grief and inability to accept that loved ones are gone. She talks about her dependence on them and how she needs them to support her. She hears them say to her that she must not do anything crazy because they need her. They are dependent on her as she is on them, but she promises to make them proud and not to cause them to worry about her. She reiterates that everything is alright and that they should always promise to be alright.
In the song, Jhené Aiko explores the theme of love and loss, fear, and vulnerability. She expresses her emotions, fears, and worries through introspection about her relationships. Despite feeling helpless, she reassures her loved ones that they will be alright if anything happens to her. The song is touching and beautiful, and it shows Jhené Aiko's emotional depth and lyrical ability.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been coming home late night
I have been staying out late at night before coming home.
I've been sleeping past day light
I have been sleeping longer into the day than usual.
I'm waking up you're not by my side
When I wake up in the morning, you are not next to me as you used to be.
Baby that ain't right
This situation is not good or fair for us.
I wanna be there with you
I want to spend more time with you.
I really do be missing you
I truly miss you and think about you often.
Everything I do is for you
I do everything that I do with you in mind.
And I really do adore you
I deeply love and admire you.
You're getting so big now
You're growing up so quickly and becoming more mature.
You're making me so proud cuz
I am very proud of you because of what you achieve and how you behave.
You are such a star
You are incredibly talented and successful.
And you know that you are
You are aware of your own worth and potential.
So every single little moment
In every small or insignificant moment,
I can't be there to hold your hand
I cannot be physically present to support you constantly.
I need for you to know that
I want you to be aware of something important that follows.
Anything should happen, anything should happen
In case of unforeseen circumstances or tragedies,
'Cause anything could, if anything should happen
Since anything is possible and things may go wrong at any time.
Know that you'll be alright, know that you'll be alright
I want you to believe that you will be fine no matter what.
Just promise you'll be alright, promise you'll be alright
I want you to make a commitment to me that you will be strong and resilient through hard times.
If anything (Alright, promise I'll be alright)
If something bad happens (alright, I promise I'll be strong).
(Promise I'll be alright, promise I'll be alright)
(I promise I'll be okay, I promise I will).
If anything should happen (Promise I'll be alright)
If something happens unexpectedly (I promise I'll be strong).
(Promise I'll be alright, promise I'll be, promise I'll be, alright)
(I promise I will be strong, I promise that I will).
Swear that I can still feel you here
I have a strong feeling of your presence, as if you were still with me.
I just can't believe you're not here
It is hard for me to accept that you are not physically present and beside me.
I've been needing you
I often feel like I need your support and comfort.
All I dream is you
You are often on my mind, even in my dreams.
Don't think I can make it
I am uncertain if I have the strength and resilience to handle my struggles without you by my side.
But then I hear you say that
Then I remember your encouraging words and comforting voice.
I bet not do nothing crazy
I should not do anything irrational or impulsive due to sadness and grief.
'Cause Nami really needs you
Because our child really depends on you and needs your love and care.
And I would never leave you
I will never abandon you or give up on us.
'Cause I am in the stars
Because I am connected to the universe and beyond, and I believe in fate and destiny.
And everywhere you are
Wherever you go, you remain a part of me and my life.
Every single little moment
Every tiny or unimportant moment.
Every single bit of sunshine just
Every positive or encouraging aspect of life.
Know that I am right by your side
Remember that I am always there for you and supporting you, even when we're apart.
Know that you are right by my side
You are always near and present in my thoughts and heart.
So I'm gonna make you so proud
I will strive to make you feel even prouder of me and my achievements.
You don't ever have to worry 'bout me
You should not worry about me since I am determined to get through tough times without causing you concern.
Promise I'll be alright, promise I'll be alright
I strongly pledge that I will conquer difficulties and be strong.
Wish that you were here now
I miss you and wish you were here with me right now.
Promise I'll be alright, promise I'll be alright
I repeat my promise that I will thrive and be okay.
Promise I'll be alright, promise I'll be, promise I'll be
My assurance that I will overcome the obstacles and difficulties in my life.
Alright
It will be okay and I will manage.
Alright, alright, alright
Everything will turn out just fine, everything will be alright.
Everything is alright, everything's in your mind
The way you perceive things and handle them in your mind shapes the world around you, and everything will turn out to be alright.
Life is what you make it, life is what you make it
Your actions and attitude towards life determine what kind of life you will have.
And anything can happen, anything can happen
Anything is possible, including good or bad things.
But you just gotta get past it, you just gotta laugh at it
You need to find a way to overcome challenges, either by facing them head-on or by finding humor in them.
And anything can happen, you fall down get back up
You may stumble or fail, but you can always get back up and keep going forward.
And you better believe that nothing holding me back
You can trust me that I will not let anything stop me from achieving my goals and dreams.
So everything is alright, everything is alright
All is well and will continue to be well.
Promise I'll be
I promise that I will.
Promise you'll be, promise we'll be alright
I want us to make a commitment to each other that we will both be strong and thrive together.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, O/B/O DistroKid, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JHENE AIKO CHILOMBO, STEVE WYREMAN, SVEIN BERGE, TORBJORN BRUNDTLAND, ERNEST DION WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind