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.
Remember
Jhené Aiko Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Call early in the morning when I got the word
Now, she say that it's his son, he says not at all
Please miss me with the excuses
I am not involved, no not at all
Open, you know my heart (you know my heart)
Can't take anymore, damn
Do you remember, do you remember you?
Do you remember, do you remember who you were?
Do you remember who you were?
Do you remember, do you remember you?
Do you remember, you remember who you were to me?
'Cause I do
Tell all the homies that you're the one to blame
And when you speak my name
I'd like you to explain the lies you told me
That's why I walked away
I never did complain, you never heard me say
"You's a sucka ass, busta ass"
If they ask
Tell them that, I ain't mad
I'm just sad it never worked out
Now you coming back, second chance fuck all that
You gave her what we had
Yet and still there's no love loss here, yeah
Open, you know my heart (you know my heart)
Can't take anymore, damn
Said this before (said this before), yeah
Do you remember, do you remember you?
Do you remember, you remember who you were?
Do you remember who you were?
Do you remember, you remember you?
Do you remember, you remember who you were to me?
'Cause I do
Do you remember, you remember you
Do you remember, you remember who you were to me?
'Cause I do
In Jhené Aiko's song "Remember", the artist sings about a heart-wrenching experience of finding out that her partner has cheated on her and fathered a child with another woman. The lyrics convey a feeling of deep sadness and betrayal as she comes to grips with the reality of the situation. The opening line of "This is the saddest story I have ever heard" sets the tone for the emotional weight of the song.
Initially, there is a back-and-forth conversation between Jhené's partner and the woman who claims he is the father of her child. Jhené's partner denies the allegation, but Jhené herself is not interested in excuses and chooses to distance herself from the situation. Her heart is too broken to face it head-on. The chorus repeatedly asks her partner if he remembers who he was to her and who he was before he betrayed her trust. The repetition of this question emphasizes the pain and the longing for the past, highlighting the fact that Jhené is struggling to come to terms with everything that has happened.
The second verse begins with Jhené calling out her partner for his lies and telling him to take responsibility for his actions. She acknowledges that he gave away what they had together and that even though she is not angry, she is still deeply saddened by the fact that they could not make it work. The song ends with a final plea to her partner to remember who he was to her before everything fell apart.
Overall, "Remember" is a heart-wrenching ballad that conveys a deep sense of loss and betrayal. Jhené Aiko's emotional vocals and honest lyrics create a powerful atmosphere that resonates with anyone who has ever experienced a broken heart.
Line by Line Meaning
This is the saddest story I have ever heard
The situation that has unfolded is the most heartbreaking I have ever experienced.
Call early in the morning when I got the word
I received news about the situation very early in the morning.
Now, she says that it's his son, he says not at all
There is conflicting information about the paternity of the child.
Please miss me with the excuses
I do not want to hear any excuses or justifications for your behavior.
I am not involved, no not at all
I have no connection or responsibility to this situation.
Open up, you know my heart (you know my heart)
I am vulnerable with you and you should understand my feelings.
Can't take anymore, damn
I have reached my breaking point and cannot handle any more pain.
Said this before (said this before), yeah
I have expressed these feelings to you in the past.
Do you remember, do you remember you?
Do you remember who you are as a person and how you used to treat me?
Do you remember, do you remember who you were?
Do you remember how you used to act and treat me?
Do you remember who you were?
Do you remember your previous actions and how they affected me?
Do you remember, do you remember who?
Do you remember who you used to be and how you used to feel about me?
Do you remember, do you remember who you were to me?
Do you remember the significant role you played in my life and how you made me feel?
'Cause I do
I still remember everything about you and how you impacted my life.
Tell all the homies that you're the one to blame
Admit to your mistakes and take responsibility for your actions.
And when you speak my name, I'd like you to explain the lies you told me
You need to explain the false information you gave me about the situation.
That's why I walked away
I left the situation because of the lies and deceit.
I never did complain, you never heard me say
I never vocalized my dissatisfaction, but you also never listened to me.
"You's a suck ass, busta ass"
I do not want to insult or degrade you, but I am angry about the situation.
Tell them that, I ain't mad
I do not want to spread negativity or hatred about the situation.
I'm just sad it never worked out
I am upset that our relationship did not end up the way I had hoped.
Now you coming back, second chance fuck all that
I do not want to give you a second chance after you have caused me so much hurt and pain.
You gave her what we had
You have given another woman what we used to share.
And yet still there's no love loss here
Despite everything, I still do not hate you and wish you well.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Brian Warfield, Mac Robinson, Jhene Aiko Chilombo
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ashleylove2036
"You gave her what we had" I felt that so muchhh😭
@imanisydnor5254
Yessssss I feel u
@itzyagirlkeyshia4746
That's the part I felt the most😭😭😭
@memegosha2326
When this song is real life for you it hits differently..
@ashiyabreale7378
I know like the way she said had was just goals
@loviedean1517
Yessss I feel u so much it hit so different when u can relate on a personal level 😭
@melodiesilva2307
when she sings it's like you can feel her pain
@derrickwilliamson5843
Melodie Silva real talk though. she's definitely not getting the credit she deserves heck she had my heart in the choke hold the whole song shiiid
@taeliffe4346
Literally 🤞🏽🤞🏽
@queenofqueens5460
That heart partttt