Jhené Aiko Efuru Chilombo known as Jhené Aiko or Jhené, is an American singer, songwriter, and author. She embarked on her music career contributing vocals and appearing in several music videos for R&B group B2K. At the time, she was known as B2K member Lil’ Fizz’s “cousin”, though she is not actually related to him. It was used as a marketing tool, suggested by Sony and Epic Records, to promote Aiko through B2K and attract an audience. In 2003, Aiko was set to release her debut album, My Name Is Jhené, through her labels Sony, The Ultimate Group and Epic, however, the album was never released, with Aiko asking to be released from the label in order to continue her education.
Aiko was born on March 16, 1988 on Ladera Heights, California. She was raised in a family with a musical background. She was homeschooled. She took vocal lessons in Culver City, California but discontinued when she unexpectedly got pregnant. Aiko is the daughter of Christina Yamamoto and Dr. Karamo Chilombo (born Gregory Wycliff Barnes), a pediatrician. Her parents later divorced. Her sister is R&B singer Mila J. Her mother is of Japanese, Spanish, and Dominican descent and her father is of African American, Native American, German, and Jewish descent.
In March 2011, Aiko made her return to music with the release of her first full-length project, a mixtape titled Sailing Soul(s). 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. In 2013, Aiko appeared on Big Sean’s single “Beware”, also featuring Lil Wayne, which became her first top 40 single on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In November 2013, she released her first project for Artium and Def Jam, an extended play (EP), titled Sail Out. The EP was supported by the singles “3:16AM”, “Bed Peace” and “The Worst”, the latter of which went on to become certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Aiko released her major-label debut album, Souled Out, on September 9, 2014
Profile
- Full Name: Jhene Aiko Efuru Chilombo
- Nicknames: Nay, NeNe, Penny
- Born: March 16, 1988
- Birth Place: Los Angeles, California, United States
- Star Sign: Pisces
- Height: 5′ 2″ (1.57 m)
- Genres: R&B; alternative R&B; neo-soul; hip hop
- Labels: ARTium; Def Jam; Island Def Jam (current); TUG; Epic (former)
- Music group: Cocaine 80s (Since 2012)
Family
- Spouse: Dot da Genius (26 July 2014 – 3 October 2017) (divorced)
- Children: Namiko Love Browner
- Father: Dr. Karamo Chilombo
- Mother: Christina Yamamoto
- Siblings: Dio Chilombo (Sister), Jahi Chilombo (Brother), Kareena Chilombo (Sister), Marcia Chilombo (Sister), Mila J (Sister), Miyagi Hasani Ayo Chilombo (Brother), Miyoko Chilombo (Sister)
External
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