On the day she dropped her latest EP Sail Out, Jhené Aiko opens up in an exclusive interview with Pepsi.com.
Aiko's been busy. Between releasing her EP, dropping a new song with Kendrick Lamar and sharing a brand new music video for "The Worst," the 25-year-old singer knows how to make things happen.
She was the first artist to be signed to the No I.D.-run Def Jam imprint Atrium Records. She preaches the benefit of being signed with someone like him, because, "He truly understands what it is to be an artist, because he’s an artist also, he’s a producer...He’s always like, 'Don’t rush anything, just take your time. The music is going to be great regardless of what’s happening.'" After pushing back the release date for her Sail Out EP from October 29 to today, it's clear patience is a part of the game for Aiko.
Another big part of her game is collaboration. Last month she put out "Bed Peace" with Childish Gambino, and blessed fans with "Stay Ready (What A Life)," the second cut from Sail Out featuring Kendrick Lamar earlier this week. Accoding to Aiko, unexpected collaborations are the most exciting thing happening in music right now.
"I'll listen to a Chance The Rapper and James Blake collaboration, and then Kendrick Lamar and Emeli Sandé. There's just a lot of collaborations from a lot of artists you don't expect, and I think that shows how music is all coming together no matter what genre."
Stream Jhené Aiko's Sail Out EP in full here and head to Pepsi.com to read the full Artist of the Week feature.
