Jhene Aiko

This “Little Loved one” is derived from a paradise , the Garden of Eden. Well at least her name is. Jhene Aiko representing Los Angeles California is addicted to life and will never stop capturing her dreams and expressing her imagination.

It’s hard to believe someone with so much courage now, used to have low self esteem. As many cookie cutters we find now days, I can assure you nobody can duplicate what she delivers, Jhene Aiko is on “The Come Up.

Ha Candy: Welcome Jhene Aiko to The Come Up. Is there a story behind your name? Its very original & captivating.
Jhene Aiko: Thanks for having me! Jhené Aiko is actually my birth given name; my first and middle name. My first name, Jhené is derived from the Ethiopian name Ghenet which means “Paradise” or “Garden of Eden” and My middle name Aiko is Japanese and means “little loved one”

Ha Candy: What city are you representing & what do you remember most growing up?
Jhene Aiko: The city I’m representing is Los Angeles, California. I’ve lived here my whole life and grew up in a neighborhood me and my close friends like to call “Slauson Hills.” Some of my favorite memories of growing up in L.A are of me and my brothers and cousins spending summers at my grandmothers house, Ladera Park, Dockweiler Beach and my Elementary school Baldwin Hills Elementary.

Ha Candy: Your style & approach to music is very raw yet eloquent, how did it all begin?
Jhene Aiko: Thank you so much! I think my style reflects who I am as a person. I’m all about being free and going with the flow as well as being honest with myself and my feelings. I grew up in a large, multicultural family so as a child I was exposed to a lot of different ways of living , belief systems and points of view. I think that all of that is shown in my style of both music and clothing, as well as everything else I do. I’m also really into being comfortable and being myself at all times so my style is a direct reflection of that also.

Ha Candy: How much of Sailing Souls is personal experience?
Jhene Aiko: Well, I wrote every song off of Sailing Souls except for “July” which was written by Micah Powell. So excluding July, Sailing Souls is 100% personal experience and feeling.

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