Published: 3/16/2022
Updated: 3/14/2022

Jhené Aiko got her start by contributing vocals and appearing in music videos for the band B2K featuring Omarion, Lil Fizz, Raz-B, and J-Boog. Eventually, she moved on and released her first solo project, a mixtape called Sailing Soul(s) in 2011. The mixtape propelled her way into a successful career in R&B; she’s gotten six Grammy nods for her projects in the last decade.

Jhené Aiko In 2024

Jhené Aiko released her first song in over three years back in January. “Sun/Son” is a tribute to her son Noah that she welcomed with her longtime partner Big Sean back in 2022. The track was produced by Derex Williams and the late AUGUST 08.

“There’s no more cloudy days/ Even when there’s no light out/ I feel your warm embrace/ You love me with passion/ When I’m at a raise, you’re like the anchor/ And I am so glad you came/ Just right when I needed savin’/ Waited awhile, don’t know where you was/ I prayed out loud and then there you were/ Made for the veil, you’re the way, the one/ No doubt about it, you charge me up, you chargе me up/ My solar power, I’m so in love…”

In 2020, Aiko dropped Chilombo , which earned the Los Angeles native three Grammy nominations.” Chilombo was nominated for Best R&B Performance for “Lightning & Thunder,” Best Progressive R&B Album, and Album Of The Year. The album had appearances from John Legend, Future, H.E.R., Miguel, Big Sean, Nas, Ab-Soul, and Ty Dolla $ign. The project debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.

In an Instagram Live back in 2022, Sean got fans excited when he announced that he and Jhené are working on a sequel to their hit joint album Twenty88.

“I’m here working on [a] new album and new TWENTY88, me and Jhené,” the Detroit rapper said at the time,”S—, we’ve been working on it for a little bit… It’s coming along good, though.”

While we wait for a new Twenty88 or just some new singles for Jhené, take a look at 12 of her best songs to hold you over:

• 12. “Bed Peace” ft. Childish Gambino ‘Sail Out’ (2013)

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  "Bed Peace" is one of the singles from Jhené's debut 2013 album 'Sail Out' which is a play on words for the phrase "sell out."  "When I wrote 'Bed Peace,' I knew that I wanted to make something more playful because I usually make sad songs about heartbreak," she shared per Genius. "So on this song, I took a different approach and decided to talk about what a perfect day would be like for me and a perfect lover." The single's artwork and video were inspired by John Lennon and Yoko Ono's 1969 Bed-Ins for Peace protest against the Vietnam War. Childish Gambino who is featured on the track is also on the single's cover alongside Jhené.

• 11. “On The Way” ft. Mila J ‘Chilombo’ (2020)

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  If the beginning of "On The Way" sounds familiar is because it is. When Aiko dropped the single "P*$$y Fairy" the interlude was not included but the album version "On The Way" and "P*$$y Fairy" share the same intro. The tracks also share the same beat produced by Fisticuffs. "On The Way" features singer Mila J, who is Aiko's older sister. The track is about the anticipation of your boo coming over for a nightcap.

• 10. “Happiness Over Everything (H.O.E)” ft. Miguel & Future ‘Chilombo’ (2020)

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  In "H.O.E." Jhené sings about women being called hoes due to their promiscuity. In the song, Jhené chooses her happiness over everything. The songstress teamed up with Future who lends a verse and Miguel who sings the chorus. Jhené, Future, and Miguel co-wrote "Happiness Over Everything" with OutKast's André 3000.
• 9. “None Of Your Concern” ft. Big Sean ‘Chilombo’ (2020)

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  Big Sean and Jhené were dating for two years and then split back in 2018 but have gotten back together in recent years. Despite their on-and-off-again relationship, they dropped "None Of Your Concern" in reflection of their breakup. Jhenê croons about hearing that Sean is dating other girls but it is no longer her concern because they are not together. Sean concludes the song with a raunchy verse describing their past sex life and that no man deserves Jhené. Additional vocals in the song are provided by R&B singer Ty Dolla $ign. 

• 8. “B.S.” ft. H.E.R. ‘Chilombo’ (2020)

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  In "B.S." Aiko and H.E.R. are done with their exes and are set on moving on. Aiko addresses the theme of the song with the catchy lyrics "Done dealing with you/Don't know how to deal with me...I am on my own now/I am in control now/I need you to go now/I can fix my own crown." H.E.R. comes in halfway through the song singing she's done as well with her ex and even suggests hooking up with their roommate, "I'm out here, I'm getting stupid/ I'm done being exclusive...I just met your roommate/put him on my to-do list." Big Sean helped the ladies write the song.

• 7. “While We’re Young” ‘Trip’ (2017)

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  "While We're Young" takes you on a 'Trip' to how you felt when you experienced your first love. "'While We're Young' is my ideal love situation," the singer shared per Genius. "It's also the feeling of a new love, when you're kind of naïve and first falling in love with someone and super optimistic about everything." The music video is a play on the Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler romantic comedy 50 First Dates. Jhené stars as a woman who has lost her memory, and her love interest must convince her to fall in love with him every day.
• 6. “P*$$y Fairy (OTW)” ‘Chilombo’ (2020)

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  "P*$$y Fairy" was released as a single ahead of Jhené's 'Chilombo' album. The track's title gives a premise as to what the song suggests, which is the vagina being a magical place. Jhené comes off strong in the first verse with the lyrics, "I know you love f----- me/ I can tell by the way you in love with me/ You can't get enough of me, yeah/Well, I guess it's lookin' like you stuck with me." She then sings that no space is needed and she is the top priority, "You don't need no me time/That's you and me time." The song is very much sex-positive and sexually empowering, a common theme in Jhené's music.

• 5. “On The Way” – Jhené Aiko and Big Sean ‘Twenty88’ (2016

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  Jhené and Big Sean know how to share a stage and let one another shine, and "On The Way" is a great example. "On The Way" is from their joint 2016 album Twenty88. On the record, the two go back and forth in conversation about meeting up with one another. Sean teased that the two have been working on a sequel back in 2022, but it has yet to come to fruition.

• 4. “Triggered (freestyle)” ft. Summer Walker & 21 Savage ‘Chilombo’ (2020)

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  Thought to be a diss track to her longtime boyfriend Big Sean (which she cleared up on Twitter denying the rumor) is how one feels when an intense overwhelming wave of emotions. "One night I was so deep in my feelings, I was afraid of what I might do," the singer shared per Vibe. "I didn't want to revert to the same bad habits that have set me back time and time again."
• 3. “From Time” – Drake ft. Jhené Aiko ‘Nothing Was The Same’ (2013)

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  Drake recruited Jhené for one of the best songs on his 2013 album Nothing Was The Same. While Jhené is the featured artist, she puts her own magic on the track "From Time." Her smooth vocals skate seamlessly over the intro and bridge as she gives the female perspective of the song its own special spotlight. Jhené is a master at letting the lead artist shine but still leaving an overall lasting impression on a record that makes it a classic.

• 2. “Sativa ft. Rae Sremmurd” ‘Trip’ (2017)

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  "Sativa" is the second single that was featured on Jhené's 2017 album 'Trip' which is named after a popular strand of marijuana. The Fisticuffs not only produced the track but also came up with the name based on Aiko's personal preference of the drug. "They know sativa is my favorite," Jhené shared per Genius. "They named the track 'Sativa,' so I knew no matter what I talked about on this song I wanted to keep the name, because it definitely feels like sativa."

• 1. “The Worst” ‘Sail Out’ (2013)

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  "The Worst" is from Jhené's 2013 album 'Sail Out' which is undoubtedly one of her best songs. In the music video, she finds herself getting busted for murder as a metaphor for "killing the feelings" she had for an ex-boyfriend. She explained to Artist Direct the creative direction behind the album cover, "The cover is me walking into this hopeless-looking place," Aiko said. "Clearly, I don't have on any clothes. I'm just fearless like, "Who cares?" The song was nominated for Best R&B Song at the 2014 Grammys and won the Centric Award at the 2014 BET Awards.

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