Jhené Aiko has the perfect cure to make your slow Tuesday afternoon a little better.
She has taken to Twitter to share a rough version of a sweet little track called New Balance via a Tumblr link. Big Sean replied to the tweet, encouraging her to release the track as it is.
To be honest, we completely agree.
https://twitter.com/JheneAiko/status/764898489708875776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
🤔 you should just drop this song! https://t.co/jQCIHGZhDu
— Sean Don (@BigSean) August 14, 2016
If this will remain to be the rough cut, I can’t wait to hear what the properly mastered version sounds like. The beautiful backing track twinkles with the sound of a simple piano melody, slowly building as the percussion is added. The drum reminds us of the sound of a beating heart, keeping the theme of the song intact. Her smooth voice shines over the top, singing lyrics that explore the helplessly blissful feelings of the early stages of love.
“It hit me like a tidal wave// Knew that I was in love with you right away, yeah// Turned all my days into brighter days// even when people say what we do is not okay.”
In April this year, Sean and Aiko released an EP together Twenty88 that peaked at number one on Billboard’s Top R&B/ Hip Hop Album charts. You’ll understand why if you listen to it. The chemistry between two is undeniable as they come together for melodies as beautiful as this track.
Listen to the track below via Aiko’s Soundcloud.
https://soundcloud.com/jhene-aiko-1/jhene-aiko-new-balance-rough
Image: The AU Review
Big Sean & Jhené Aiko – TWENTY88
Announced early last week before dropping April 1st, TWENTY88 is the debut collaborative project from long time friends Big Sean and Jhené Aiko. Described as “90s R&B and 70s experimental rock/soul” mixed with “neo-soul, ambient beats, and trap drums,” TWENTY88 is a terrific release, taking its name from Sean and Aiko’s birthdays, with both being born in 1988 and having turned 28 last month.
TWENTY88 is a concept EP following two people’s journey through the trials and tribulations of a highly emotional relationship. Sean and Aiko explore their perspectives on what they want and need from their partner (On The Way), through to their physical needs sexual desires (Push It and the K-Ci & JoJo featuring 2 Minute Warning).
The chemistry between Sean and Aiko is utter magic. Sean’s smooth flow and always personal lyrics, paired with Akio’s hypnotic vocals, intertwine like lovers lying in bed on a lazy Sunday morning. While the two claim to be just friends, it’s hard to believe they haven’t shared a moment when listening to TWENTY88.
As with any relationship, it’s not all good, with Sean and Aiko describing the low points on Selfish and the reminiscing about their time together on the penultimate Memories Faded. Final track, London Bridge, finds Sean and Aiko reconnecting and rebuilding their relationship, using the historical collapse of the London Bridge as a metaphor for their situation.
Verdict: The chemistry these two share is plain to hear, making TWENTY88 a must listen.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzGvd_D1-zo]
Royce Da 5’9″ – Tabernacle: Trust The Shooter
Few rappers are as criminally underrated as Detroit legend Royce Da 5’9″. While overshadowed by good friend Eminem during the early part of his career, his solo work and recent output with Slaughterhouse and DJ Premier (as PRhyme) has helped Royce cultivate a reputation as one of hip-hops best lyricists. As a prelude to his forthcoming sixth solo album, Layers, Royce has released mixtape, Tabernacle: Trust The Shooter, only heightening the excitement for his new album.
Across the 12 tracks, Nickel Nine’s joined by Smoke DZA, Westside Gunn, Sytles P and more, with production handled by DJ Premier, Mr Porter and Araabmuzik. Singles Savages and Dead Presidents Heads are great introductions to Royce’s rapid fire flow, with Royce dropping bars full of metaphors and witty lines for almost seven minutes on Dead President’s Heads. Royce flexes his braggadocio on Rap On Steroids with Black Thought and takes aim at rappers trading the culture for fame on Which Is Cool.
Now almost 40, Royce has matured as both a writer and a human, with the tape’s best moments concerning Royce’s personal accounts and real life experiences and situations. The DJ Premier and AntMan Wonder produced Black History begins with Royce discussing his troubled birth, before going on to heap praise on Gang Starr and let the haters know he’s not trying to replace Guru, but it’s the storytelling weaved throughout Tabernacle that may be Royce’s best effort yet. Tabernacle recalls the day Royce believes defined his life: December 29 , 1997. On this fateful day his son was born, his grandmother passed away and he met future collaborator and good friend Eminem. It’s a masterclass in wordplay, packed with emotional depth, relatable lyrics and Royce’s trademark flow.
Verdict: Further proof Royce is one of the modern greats.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4STstdvnMfU]
Brockhampton – All-American Trash
Texas collective Brockhampton consider themselves an “all American Boyband,” but for all intents and purposes, are a talented and eclectic assortment of artists making experimental rap music. Featuring a ensemble of creative musicians, graphic designers, producers and videographers, Brockhampton’s debut mixtape, All-American Trash, is an innovate blurring of genres that Internet rap fans will no doubt eat up.
Interestingly, the most well known member of Brockhampton, Kevin Abstract doesn’t hog the spotlight, with members Matt Champion, Ameer Van, Joba, Poofie and Merlyn Wood all sharing vocal and production duties as a cohesive unit. All-American Trash covers everything from Odd Future-like rap (Ben Carson), acoustic pop (Contacts), garage (Michigan), smooth R&B (Home, Palace) right through to trap (Flip Mo). What’s more remarkable is how this jumble of genres works well to combine Brockhampton’s influences without feeling disjointed.
Although all members shine, special mention must go to Abstract, another underrated lyricists who never fails to deliver the goods.
Verdict: If you like Odd Future, Brockhampton are your new favourite act.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeC6lLz5Fok]
Total BFFs and frequent collaborators Jhené Aiko and Big Sean have announced a joint LP Twenty88. Big Sean made the announcement via Twitter.
4/1 pic.twitter.com/MBOXv5Abkg
— TWENTY88 (@twenty88) March 28, 2016
It seems to be the trend in hip-hop now to slowly tease via social media; Big Sean started his Twitter campaign couple of days ago, when he dropped a new song called Get My Shit Together. On the weekend, a new Twitter account called @twenty88 popped up, and then both Sean and Jhené retweeted the account’s videos, and fans knew something was up.
— TWENTY88 (@twenty88) March 28, 2016
According to the Tidal press release, the LP is “the story of the highs and lows of a relationship, with insights into conflict, memories, love, sex, and more,” and the accompanying videos shows that and more. The videos show the two sitting in a car in rather stunning attire. They both stare out their respective windows, ignoring each other, seemingly mad at each other. The second video is quite the opposite, in a steamy scene we see Aiko (recognisable only by her orange wig) in a suggestive pose on top of an unknown figure, perhaps Big Sean?
TWENTY88 pic.twitter.com/rL8qLsYuDj
— TWENTY88 (@twenty88) March 28, 2016
Twenty88 will be available for a three-day stream on Tidal come April 1. Releasing albums on April Fool’s Day will hopefully be just an oversight and not a sick joke.
Considering that they are not only killing it in their own rights but the fact that Aiko and Sean have worked together on some gems before (I Know and Beware which also features Lil Wayne), it’s pretty safe to assume Twenty88 should be hot.
Image: Twitter
As far as best songs go, these are ten of the best. We’re now in February and the consistently high quality of music output that we’ve seen over the past four weeks ago hasn’t dwindled once in the new month. If anything, it’s gotten even better. See for yourself below!
AAA+, Disciple Of Love
Adelaide artist AAA+ dropped a doozy this week with Disciple Of Love– a retro-futuristic electro-pop jam with a lot to give. Sounding like he’s borrowed elements from everyone like Cut Copy to The Chemical Brothers, Disciple Of Love is a pulsing, pounding track that’s driven by its bouncy synth line and crashing drum beat. He’s been kicking around for a while but has never really taken off in his home country – until now!
Summer Flake, Shoot And Score
The more I hear Summer Flake, the more I enjoy her. Taken from her sophomore album, Hello Friends, this tune is called Shoot And Score and is four-and-a-half minutes of droning, mesmerising bliss. “Shoot and score, take what’s yours,” she sings, her guitars thick and heavy as they carry the emotion in her lyrics and voice. This track is dripping in reverb-y goodness, and has done yet another excellent job in reminding me why Summer Flake is so great!
Annabel Jones, IOU
IOU by Annabel Jones has already got the approval of one Zane Lowe, who she debuted it with this week on his Beats 1 show. Now she can add approval from Howl & Echoes too, as I was instantly hooked from the first serene note that kicks the song off. From here, it just gets better and better, with it’s bassy groove and quirky arrangements- not to mention her sassy af lyrics that take it to another level. Total jam.
Pandamic, Heck!
Following along the same vein as bands like Violent Soho and Dune Rats, Pandamic’s new belter Heck! is a beer-drenched anthem with thrashy guitars and punchy drums- but don’t let the bravado fool you. It’s a forlorn love song at it’s heart, it just tricks you for a second. With a ripper of a chorus that would no doubt be unreal to join in with at a live show, Heck! is a huge step forward for the boys and one in a direction I can’t wait to see them go down.
Gallant, Skipping Stones (Ft. Jhene Aiko)
Skipping Stones represents when two worlds collide in the best possible way. Featuring two of music’s most incredible voices around at the moment, Gallant and Jhene Aiko have teamed up and it is stunning. Both artists bring their A-game here in a big way as they sing about their empty hearts and beds in a way that casts a spell on you with it’s dreamy arrangement accompanying it. Sounding like Leon Bridges mixed with Sam Smith, Gallant has never sounded this good before, whilst Aiko shows off why she is one of the most hyped up acts in the world- and why she’s so deserving.
Two People, Fading
Fun fact: Two People are actually two people from the now defunct-Snakadaktal. Phoebe Lou and Joey Clough are now trying their hand at a different game, and the first taste of it is impressive to say the least. Hypnotic and spell-binding, Fading is a swirling dream featuring static-y rain, Four Tet-esque production and heavenly vocals. There are huge things in store for these two.
Tinashe, Ride Of Your Life (Prod. Metro Boomin)
Tinashe is the next big pop star, and you only need to listen to any one of her songs to hear why. She has one of the best voices around, possessing a certain “superstar” quality that comes naturally to her. She also has an uncanny knack of picking the right producers to work with, and this latest track with Metro Boomin is no exception. Seductive both in Tinashe’s vocals and Metro Boomin’s trap-styled beats, the two bring out the best in each other with Ride Of Your Life– yet another feather in Tinashe’s already very full cap.
Nina Las Vegas, Now Or Never (Ft. CZ & Swick)
Australian dance music’s leading lady Nina Las Vegas is at it again, dropping another banger via her brand new record label, NLV Records. She teased us all last year with a sampler that featured an original track from each artist on the label – herself included – and now we can finally hear what else she’s been sitting on this whole time. Practically redefining the term “banger” Nina goes in on this track, teaming up with CZ and Swick as if it wasn’t good enough already. It’s like PC Music sent into overdrive, and is a seriously solid release from one of Australia’s most prolific tastemakers. Yaaaaaaas!
Carmada, Realise (Chrome Sparks Remix)
Chrome Sparks is just about to touch down in Australia for a string of shows at the end of the month, and it seems like he’s really getting into the spirit of things by taking Carmada’s hit track, Realise and running with it. Turning it inside out in his own special way, Chrome Sparks shakes up Realise and reassembles it with some slightly off-kilter beats, thick synths and unpredictable drops throughout. This is part of an entire EP of Realise remixes, but we’ve got our money on this being the best one. Chrome Sparks can’t be beaten!
Loose Tooth, Bites Will Bleed
Melbourne three-piece have just today announced that not only are they teaming up with Milk! Records (Courtney Barnett’s label), but that they are dropping a brand new EP on April 1 titled Saturn Returns. To celebrate, the trio have released an absolute wailer in the for of Bites Will Bleed. Scuzzy guitar, booming drums, and vocals that cut through the fuzz, Loose Tooth immediately got me very keen indeed to hear Saturn Returns. Hopefully there is more where this came from!
Image via Two People’s Facebook
Get ready Jhene Aiko fans, she has a new track for you to hear!
Interestingly titled B’s & H’s, the track is a powerful message to all the guys who have ever taken a girl’s good nature for granted and ruined a perfectly good relationship. Aiko speaks for all the women who have ever been cheated on, left for someone else or just not taken seriously enough. She previously performed the track during a few of her live shows. It’s about time the rest of us got to hear it.
Despite it’s smooth R&B melody and soulful atmosphere, it is full of fire and emotion. The music is slow and simple, putting the emphasis on the story. The lyrics are harsh and to the point. They depict the anger and hurt we all feel after the betrayal. Most of the emotional lyrics are targeting the man in question, however, some of them are calling out the song’s namesake for their lack of consideration and inability to realise what kind of person this guy is.
It ends with a phrase we should all remember, “I am the chosen one.” Translation: “You are amazing and don’t you let any one tell you otherwise.”
Whether it will be on her upcoming album, we’ll just have to wait and see. For now, check it out below.
Aiko is going on tour for the first time in Australia from late February to the beginning of March. Here are the dates:
Monday Feb 29: Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Tues March 1: The Forum, Melbourne
Thurs March 3: The Tivoli, Brisbane
Sat march 5: Metro City, Perth
Get your tickets here.
Jhene Aiko was supposed to be touching down in Australia back in October to perform at Soulfest. Unfortunately the festival was canned only a couple weeks out, meaning that all dates – including sideshows – were cancelled.
Luckily, she’s now announced an even bigger Australian tour kicking off in February 2016. Realistically it’s a far better deal, considering she’s now taking on dates in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth AND Brisbane. A masterful performer and talented, sensual singer/producer/songwriter, Aiko has drawn comparisons to everyone from Aaliyah to The Weeknd, and has collaborated with big names like Drake, Kanye West and Miguel. At just 27, the songstress has become something of a legend in her own right – especially when you consider that her triple-Grammy-nominated debut album Souled Out came out just over a year ago.
Signed to Def Jam Records imprint Atrium, Souled Out put her squarely on the map, immediately establishing Aiko as one of the most exciting upcoming voices in R&B. Blending rock instrumentation with seductive soul, electronic elements and more, her music is as diverse as it is immersive – and we could not be more excited that she’s announced this tour.
Jhene Aiko Tour dates:
Monday Feb 29: Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Tues March 1: The Forum, Melbourne
Thurs March 3: The Tivoli, Brisbane
Sat march 5: Metro City, Perth
For tickets and information, visit Live Nation.
Fashion and music have always had a special relationship – just ask Kanye. They often have crossovers, as they come together and give creativity a new meaning. Alexander Wang has seen the effect of celebrity from other campaigns, not to mention being name-dropped in a myriad hip hop tracks, so he’s gone and enlisted a whole bunch of them for his ‘Do Something’ campaign.
If you looked at the list of artists who have taken part in the campaign, you’d think you were looking at a festival line-up. And what a line-up it would be!
The campaign features Kanye West, Grimes, A$AP Rocky, Haim, Lykke Li, Angel Haze, the Weeknd, Pusha T, Alice Glass, Jhene Aiko, AlunaGeorge’s Aluna Francis, the Gossip’s Beth Ditto, the Kills’ Alison Mosshart and more, clad in black hoodies and and graphic tees posing in black and white photos.
Do Something is an organisation that focuses on young people and social change. They have a variety of campaigns that tackle different issues, such as back-to-school stress, cyberbullying and taking care of the environment. Wang’s campaign celebrated their 10th anniversary, while spreading awareness in light of the good things they do.
Check out some of the beautiful photos, shot by Steven Klein.
Visit the Alexander Wang Facebook page for a look at the rest.
UPDATE: A Melbourne sideshow has also been announced! See below for details.
If you’ve been reading this blog over the past few months, you’ll know how excited we are for the sophomore offering of Soulfest, Australia’s predominant soul, hip hop and R&B festival. Taking place across Melbourne and Sydney in late October, the festival will feature the biggest and most respected names in the field. From Mary J Blige and Lauryn Hill to Black Star (Mos Def and Talib Kweli) and De La Soul; from Uncle Charlie Wilson and BJ the Chicago Kid to the sexy Miguel and prodigious jazz musician Kamasi Washington… well, you can see my point. Wow.
Brisbane folk were already graced with the good news that, in lieu of a festival, they will be the recipients of special sideshows from Lauryn Hill, Mary J Blige and Black Star. But now, the national sideshows are rolling out, and the first one off the bat is none other than Jhené Aiko.
Drawing comparisons to everyone from Aaliyah to The Weeknd and having collaborated with big names like Drake, Kanye West and Miguel, the songstress has become something of a legend in her own right – especially when you consider that her triple-Grammy-nominated debut album Souled Out came out less than a year ago.
Aiko, who recently released a series of photos inspired by the late, great Tupac, will be taking to the stage of Sydney’s Metro Theatre, where she’ll be performing a one-off show for fans lucky enough to get a ticket. Known for her captivating and engaged live performances, this is sure to be one hell of a night.
Details:
Thursday 22nd October: Metro Theatre, Sydney (SOLD OUT)
Tickets from $59+ bf
Buy them here on August 11 2015
Tuesday 20th October: Trak Lounge Bar, Melbourne
Buy tickets here on AUgust 19 2015
SYDNEY: Saturday 24th October – The Domain
MELBOURNE: Sunday 25th October – The Sidney Myer Music Bowl & Kings Domain Precinct
Today would have been Tupac Shakur’s 44th birthday. One of the most iconic, talented and game-changing rappers of all time, his shooting rocked the world of hip hop, and the greater music industry as a whole.
To honour the day, artist Jhené Aiko (who will be in town for Soulfest later this year) has recreated a series of Tupac’s most iconic photos. It’s a touching and beautiful tribute to one of her idols.
Aiko was only eight years old when Tupac passed away, on 13th September 1996. In interviews she has stated that she became a fan after watching ‘Tupac: Resurrection,’ the 2003 documentary about his life.
Speaking to MTV News, she said, “I remember for one of my birthdays, my dad got me one of his poetry books and I was just tripping out because his voice is his own thing. Even if he didn’t write, his voice is powerful enough to stand alone, but then his words are the same thing. They’re powerful enough to stand on their own by just reading them. That’s something that I would like my words to be.”
Working with photographer Danny Williams, Aiko recreated Tupac’s three most iconic photos for MTV. They also ran an interview with Aiko about the influence Tupac had on her life, which you can read here.
The first image recreated Tupac’s iconic ‘All Eyez On Me’
The section photo has re-imagined the close-up image used on the cover of Tupac’s posthumous ‘Greatest Hits’, one of the highest selling rap albums of all time.
Taken right after he was released from prison in 1995, this photo recreated his “Becoming Clean” photo shoot, originally shot by David Lachapelle
Aiko has also covered her favourite (and to be honest, my personal favourite) Tupac song, Keep Ya Head Up. On the impact of the song, she says, “I remember when I was pregnant with my daughter and that song came on,” she says. “I just cried like never before. His words meant so much to me. I just felt like I needed to hear that.”
Jhené Aiko is one of the most exciting names in the R&B game at the moment, as she quickly rose to the international level in the last few months. She has been jumping on feature spots with the likes it ScHoolboy Q, Omarion and Kendrick, as well as slowly but surely honing her own craft.
I admit I was a bit slow off the mark when it came to her, but after seeing her latest video for Eternal Sunshine, I am well and truly a member of Team Aiko.
Having lost her brother to cancer in 2012, and having a near death experience in a car crash with her sister and father the following year, Jhene has clearly developed a different outlook on life, putting those feelings into this song. It’s a track that makes you want to call your parents and stop and take a moment. It’s calming and spiritual, and tugs on heartstrings in a way that only a voice like that could.
The best thing about the accompanying visuals is that it takes the track, that would have sounded like a light, feel-good piano ballad, and gives it an immense amount of emotional depth. By setting a solemn looking Aiko above a road where these two tragedies play out with family photos and footage scattered throughout, the seemingly innocent song is now completely gut-wrenching, watching her world shatter behind her as she sings about “All of the good things”.
Eternal Sunshine is taken from Aiko’s 2014 release, Souled Out.