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.
WTH
Jhené Aiko Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm in Wonderland
Where's the rabbit?
He is late again
Goodness
Gracious
I can't wait for him
Who has got the time?
Round and round we go
It's just like the
Same scenario
Good for nothing
Feels like somethin' ain't right
I might
I might've got way too high
I might've got way too high
I am trippin'
I keep slippin'
I cannot recognize
What's the difference
In pretending and
Living a real lie?
Ha ha ha ha ha
Everything is spinnin now
Ha ha ha ha ha
Have you seen the ground
I might've got way too high
I might've got way too high
Break it down, roll it up
Mountains and valleys
Seashells from Sally
Ego removed but still in tune exactly
Pride to the side
Third eye winking at me
My what a ride
Real trippy shit
I glimpse with a squint
But I can see a whole grip
My retinas red
My vision is crystal
Didn't use pencil
But it's true I led
My way to this sedated state of mind I always dread
My daddy did it
This is the state of mind I always had
I'm mad he died before we got to have a man to man
I got two packs of sweet aromatics and 14 grams
So I take a deep breath
Puff, puff, pass
Part of my paranoia
I'm just a product of my past
I show you how to let your soul sail
Sparking lala
Talking to Allah
Might of got way too high
I might
I might've got way too high
In Jhené Aiko's song "WTH," the singer-songwriter takes on the persona of Alice from the classic tale "Alice in Wonderland." She is searching for the rabbit who is late yet again, and her frustration is evident in the way she sings about her anticipation while questioning who has the time to wait. As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the song is about drug use and how it can cause disorientation and illusions.
Aiko's reference to being in Wonderland is a metaphor for being high, and the rabbit symbolizes the drug she is waiting for (possibly marijuana, as she mentions having "two packs of sweet aromatics and 14 grams"). She questions the difference between pretending and living a real lie, suggesting that she is aware of the dangers of indulging in drugs yet continues to do so anyway. The chorus, "I might've got way too high," indicates that she may have taken too much, leading to her feeling disoriented and losing touch with reality.
In the second verse, Aiko describes how being high removes her ego while keeping her in tune with herself. She acknowledges her paranoia as part of her past experiences and takes a deep breath to calm herself down. The song ends with her talking to Allah, which may be interpreted as her seeking guidance and clarity from a higher power.
**Interesting Facts About "WTH":**
* "WTH" is short for "What The Hell."
* The song was released in 2016 as part of Aiko's album "Trip."
* "WTH" features rapper Ab-Soul, who also appears on other tracks on the album.
* The song's beat contains samples from The Godz's song "The Fourth Man" and Moby's song "Porcelain."
* The song's music video features Aiko dressed in all white, performing against a white backdrop while visual effects of various colors and textures play behind her.
* The lyrics of the song were inspired by Aiko's personal experiences with drug use.
* Aiko has described the song as being about the "struggle of whether to indulge or not to indulge."
* The song's chorus has become a popular meme on social media.
* Aiko has performed the song live with collaborator Big Sean.
* "WTH" has been described as a "psychedelic R&B" track.
**Chords:**
The chords for "WTH" are not readily available, but the song features a laid-back instrumental loop that includes a simple keyboard melody, soft percussion, and bass.
Line by Line Meaning
I am Alice
I feel like I am in a different world
I'm in Wonderland
I am in a surreal place where anything can happen
Where's the rabbit?
I am looking for something that I cannot find
He is late again
I am frustrated that the thing I was waiting for did not arrive on time
Goodness
Expressing surprise or amazement
Gracious
Expressing politeness, kindness or appreciation
I can't wait for him
I am eagerly anticipating the thing I was waiting for
Who has got the time?
I am wondering if anyone else is as confused and lost as I am
Round and round and
The situation is repetitive and cyclical
Round and round we go
The situation is not progressing or changing and we are stuck in the same place
It's just like the
This situation is very familiar to me
Same scenario
This situation has happened before and will continue to happen
Good for nothing
This situation is useless and not productive
Feels like somethin' ain't right
I have a bad feeling about this situation
I might
It is possible that I
I might've got way too high
I may have consumed too much of a substance
I am trippin'
I am experiencing altered perceptions
I keep slippin'
I am having trouble staying grounded
I cannot recognize
I am confused about what is real and what is not
What's the difference
I am questioning the distinction between two things
In pretending and
Acting like I am something I am not
Living a real lie?
Living a life that is not authentic or genuine
Ha ha ha ha ha
Expressing amusement or laughter
Everything is spinnin now
I am experiencing dizziness and confusion
Have you seen the ground
I am disoriented and losing touch with reality
Break it down, roll it up
Preparing to use a substance
Mountains and valleys
Experiencing highs and lows
Seashells from Sally
Reference to something small and insignificant
Ego removed but still in tune exactly
I am trying to transcend my ego but I am still aware of my surroundings
Pride to the side
Setting aside my ego and sense of pride
Third eye winking at me
I am experiencing spiritual enlightenment or awareness
My what a ride
Expressing surprise at the experiences I am having
Real trippy shit
The experience is surreal and unusual
I glimpse with a squint
I am seeing something vaguely or unclearly
But I can see a whole grip
I am getting a better understanding of the situation
My retinas red
My eyes are showing signs of substance use
My vision is crystal
I am experiencing heightened perception
Didn't use pencil
The experience is not something that can be easily explained or understood
But it's true I led
The experience is due to my own choices and decisions
My way to this sedated state of mind I always dread
The experience has led me to a state of mental numbness or apathy that I do not like
My daddy did it
My father also used substances
This is the state of mind I always had
I have always been inclined towards using substances
I'm mad he died before we got to have a man to man
I regret not having a deeper relationship with my father before he passed away
I got two packs of sweet aromatics and 14 grams
I have a large amount of a substance
So I take a deep breath
Preparing to use the substance
Puff, puff, pass
Sharing the substance with someone else
Part of my paranoia
Feeling anxious or worried about something
I'm just a product of my past
My experiences and upbringing have influenced my current behavior
I show you how to let your soul sail
Encouraging others to pursue their own spiritual journey
Sparking lala
Feeling euphoric or happy
Talking to Allah
Praying or seeking guidance from a higher power
Might of got way too high
I may have consumed too much of a substance
I might
It is possible that I
I might've got way too high
I may have consumed too much of a substance
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN WARFIELD, MAC ROBINSON, JHENE AIKO CHILOMBO, HERBERT ANTHONY STEVENS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@frankiemartin3333
I’ve been listening to this song for years and this video just made the song 100 times better!!!!! Words can’t describe how perfect the mashup is!
@jasminemendoza1485
Wait the whole theme of this vid is mind blowing. Like with jhenes voice, her doing drugs. Like it lowkey makes me wanna do the same shit LMFAOO
@itzLizahBihhhhh
This definitely hit home...
@apricotbreaux4369
Edit is literally perfect. Been smoking to this during my quarantine 🖤🖤 thanks for this
@sadgorl5974
thank you, stay safe <3
@ebenezereyimah5497
wish we could get wth together
@user-ux2fp2sw5b
Daamn that shit's deep, some people really live like that yano smh sad. What a life!
I don't mean to sound all hippy n shit but I wish strength, self love and peace to anyone living that kind of crazy life style ♥️ 🙏🏻🙏🙏🏽🙏🏾
@juliaorozco3318
I agree ! Crazy shit out here & I hope everybody finds peace 🧡
@cardogambino8414
You are an ARTIST ! this right here 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
@Mari-kx9jl
Damn...This was an amazing edit. You are very underrated!