Jhené Aiko has been around for a while, but really, she's just getting started. Nearly 10 years after signing with Epic Records in a piggyback deal with former boy band B2K, she's linked up with No I.D. and signed to Def Jam through his Artium Recordings label. Aiko, 24, is gearing up to drop her album, Souled Out, in early 2013 and after the success of her mixtape Sailing Soul(s), the anticipation for her next project is higher than ever.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Aiko grew up in a big household—her entire family pursued music in some form. Her older sisters were part of the group Gyrl and her older brothers were involved in the industry, too. She was only five years old when she met Chris Stokes and as a young teen, Aiko signed to Epic Records. Formerly known as Lil' Fizz's cousin (they're not really related), Aiko spent months in the studio working on nearly 200 songs, but Epic wasn't sure of her sound, and at the time, neither was she. After leaving Epic, Aiko gave birth to her daughter, Namiko, with O'Ryan—the brother of former B2K member and current Maybach Music artist, Omarion.
Aiko dropped Sailing Soul(s) in March 2011 and made her way back into the industry but this time, on her own terms. After signing to Def Jam in December 2011, she's now working on her next album, juggling motherhood and a blossoming career, especially since her latest single and visuals for "3:16 A.M." became a success. The young singer stopped by Complex to speak on her latest projects, linking up with No I.D., her obsession with horror movies, and who she's working with. Read on to find out exactly who is Jhené Aiko.
As told to Lauren Nostro (@LAURENcynthia)
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