Jhené Aiko

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Jhené Aiko

Role / Field:

American R&B singer known for her soulful vocals and genre-blending artistry.

Born:

1988-03-16

Century / Era:

1988s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Jhené Aiko Efuru Chilombo (; juh-NAY-EYE-kow; born March 16, 1988) is an American R&B singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. Aiko embarked on her musical career in 2002, as a backing vocalist and music video performer for the R&B group B2K. She was signed by their record label, The Ultimate Group that same year and was marketed as the "cousin" of B2K member Lil' Fizz to cultivate her own following, although they are not related. Her debut album, slated for a 2003 release through the label with Epic Records, was shelved due to Aiko instead further pursuing her education. In March 2011, Aiko returned to music with the release of her first full-length project, a mixtape titled Sailing Soul(s).

Career & Major Achievements

In December of that year, she signed a recording contract with producer No I.D.'s record label ARTium Recordings, an imprint of Def Jam Recordings. Aiko gained mainstream recognition with her guest performance alongside Lil Wayne on Big Sean's 2013 single, "Beware", which marked her first entry on Billboard Hot 100 — peaking within the chart's top 40. In November, she released her debut extended play (EP) Sail Out, which spawned the singles "3:16AM", "Bed Peace" (featuring Childish Gambino) and "The Worst"—the latter received quintuple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Aiko's studio albums, Souled Out (2014), Trip (2017) and Chilombo (2020), were each met with critical and commercial success; the latter peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 and earned Aiko three Grammy Award nominations, including Album of the Year. Aiko was born on March 16, 1988, in Los Angeles, California.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Her family lived in South Los Angeles, but their home burned down when she was seven and they moved near Slauson Avenue around View Park–Windsor Hills, Baldwin Hills, and Ladera Heights where she was homeschooled until high school. She calls her home neighborhood "Slauson Hills". Aiko is the daughter of Christina Yamamoto and pediatrician Karamo Chilombo (born Gregory Wycliff Barnes). Her parents are divorced. Aiko has seven siblings – four full siblings and three half-siblings from her father's side.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1988 (1988-03-16): Birth of Jhené Aiko — American R&B singer known for her soulful vocals and genre-blending artistry.
2. 2002: 2002 Milestone — Aiko embarked on her musical career in 2002, as a backing vocalist and music video performer for the R&B group B2K.
3. 2003: 2003 Milestone — Her debut album, slated for a 2003 release through the label with Epic Records, was shelved due to Aiko instead further pursuing her education.
4. 2011: 2011 Milestone — In March 2011, Aiko returned to music with the release of her first full-length project, a mixtape titled Sailing Soul(s).
5. 2013: 2013 Milestone — Aiko gained mainstream recognition with her guest performance alongside Lil Wayne on Big Sean's 2013 single, "Beware", which marked her first entry on Billboard Hot 100 — peaking within the chart's top 40.
6. 2014: 2014 Milestone — Aiko's studio albums, Souled Out (2014), Trip (2017) and Chilombo (2020), were each met with critical and commercial success; the latter peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 and earned Aiko three Grammy Award nominations, including Album of the Year.

Notable Quotes by Jhené Aiko

“I am less black than someone half black, but also less white… and asian is the least thing i am.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Jhené Aiko

True or False: “Jhené Aiko's debut album was released in 2003 through Epic Records.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Her debut album was slated for a 2003 release but was never actually released due to label tensions.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abdul Basit 'Abd us-Samad — Contemporary (Died in 1988) (1988): Renowned Egyptian Quran reciter, celebrated for his melodious and emotionally engaging style.
• Abdul Ghaffar Khan — Contemporary (Died in 1988) (1988): Pioneering nonviolent activist and founder of the Khudai Khidmatgar movement.
• Adele — Contemporary (Born in 1988) (1988): Iconic English singer-songwriter celebrated for powerful mezzo-soprano vocals.
• Alexander S. Wiener — Shared historical date (03-16 · Born) (1907): Pioneering American biologist known for discoveries in serology and immunogenetics.
• Anna Atkins — Shared historical date (03-16 · Born) (1799): Pioneering botanist and photographer, credited with the first illustrated book using photos.
• Ahn Bo-hyun — Historical peer (Born in 1988) (1988): South Korean actor known for roles in Itaewon Class and My Name.
• Alan Paton — Historical peer (Died in 1988) (1988): Pioneering South African author and anti-apartheid activist.
• Abba Eban — Historical peer (Died in 2002) (2002): Israeli diplomat, politician, and scholar of Arabic and Hebrew languages.
• Adolph Green — Historical peer (Died in 2002) (2002): American lyricist and playwright known for his long-running, witty partnership with Betty Comden.
• Alberto Sordi — Historical peer (Died in 2003) (2003): Pillar of Italian Cinema, master of Commedia all'italiana comedy.
• 1988 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1988
• March 16 (03-16) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on March 16

Frequently Asked Questions about Jhené Aiko