The Biography Of A Singer & A Songwriter, Jhene Aiko

As the world around us rages on, it becomes common to dream about time just standing still for a moment. The older we become and step deeper into the “real world,” we realize how stressful life can be. A genuine moment of peace is something everyone not only needs, but longs for.

Singer and songwriter, Jhene Aiko was born in Ladera Heights, California in 1988. As Aiko was growing up she was surrounded by the disruption in the city around her. During this time period, the crime rate and violence in Los Angeles was disturbingly high. In the late 1980’s well into the ‘90s the crack epidemic was booming throughout America. Crack cocaine was becoming available in every state and city in the nation. The crack epidemic began to lead to a drastic increase in hospitalizations and even fatalities. Moreover, statistics show that the boom in cocaine used led an increase in crime and homicide. In addition, the notorious Los Angeles riots took place throughout Jhene’s childhood, adding on to the ongoing violence in Los Angeles. Being that she enjoyed watching the news on television, she watched the chaos unfold in her hometown.

Growing up Aiko was homeschooled and received vocal lessons. After deciding she wanted to embark upon her career as an artist, she sang on songs for artists B2K and Pandemonium!. Walking into her path as an artist, she decided to make her own music. Multiple recording labels tried to sign her, however she wanted to be able to voice herself without holding back. Jhene therefore marketed herself as a solo artist, releasing music that she wrote and believed in.

After years of writing music for others and featuring on songs, Aiko released an extended play, or EP, titled, Sailing Souls, in 2011. The EP composed mostly of songs that she wrote. The mixtape sold 34,000 copies within the first week of its release. Advancing in her career, Aiko then released her first album titled, Sail Out, in 2013. Sail Out features a specific song, called “Bed Peace (Jhene Aiko “Bed Peace.” Sail Out, 2011.)” The song speaks to a day where time just stands still, a day of pure peace. The melodic R&B song visualizes her day when the world just stops. To her, this day would involve she and her lover, alone spending the day in bed, relaxing and doing the things that makes her feel at peace. However, the song is deeper than just that.

The title “Bed Peace,” derived from the movement of English artist and activist for peace, John Lennon. In the late 1960s, the Vietnam War was taking place. Lennon held Bed-Ins for Peace with the intention to promote peace during this time of violence and negativity. Aiko’s music video shows she and rapper Childish Gambino lying in bed, dressed in white, with peace signs above them. This image mirrors John Lennon and his wife’s Bed In for Peace at the Amsterdam Hilton Hotel. Lennon and his wife were dressed in white as well with the sign “Bed Peace” above them. The laid back scenery of the music video is matched by the calming harmonies in the piece. In collaboration with rapper and actor, Childish Gambino the composition of the song blends together to create this aesthetically “chill” vibe. The subtle sound of a guitar starts off the song, blending with a snare drum, and the soft voice of Jhene Aiko to tie together the consonant piece.

In the interview within the music video for “Bed Peace”, Aiko was asked if something happened within her life to cause her to create this peace movement. She responded by talking about her growing up in Los Angeles and how disruptive the city was throughout her childhood. She found the bed to be her place of retreatment. The last few lyrics of the song says, “We can stay right here, we can lay right here, cause everything is okay right here,(Jhene Aiko. “Bed Peace.” Sail Out.)” attesting to her statement that the bed was her safe haven.

Sail Out also consists of a song titled “3:16 am.” Contrasting the peace and serenity that she sang of in “Bed Peace”, “3:16 am” speaks to the dark reality of the real world. This piece speaks to the truth of depression, anxiety, and suicide, all of which are things that suppresses world around us, causing the longing for that stand still of time. Aiko states that she named the song “3:16 am” because she believes 3 am is a dark hour and her birthday is on March 16th. “3:16 am” is not the only song with depressive vibes, she also wrote the song “For my brother.” The piece was written for her brother, Miyagi, before he died of cancer in 2012. She and her brother shared a tight bond and his death left her depressed and distraught, leading to this dark place she was in as she wrote this song. When she wrote the song she was battling her own demons of depression and thoughts of suicide.

“3:16 am” starts off with a soft xylophone intriguing the listener, and then a drum enters on the down beat of the sequence. However, when you listen deeper into the instrumentals of the song you can hear what sounds like a metal banging onto another metal. The dissonant sound of the metal blends with the consonant sound of the xylophone and drum. Furthermore, the piece begins in a mezzo forte, as Aiko begins the chorus, the song progresses to forte. In the second verse of the song she speaks deeper into her feelings, she says “Now my thoughts so cloudy and my hearts so crowded with hate, I am so frustrated like my soul’s been taken away (Jhene Aiko.”3:16 am.” Sail Out .)” As she says this, the soft sound of the xylophone disappears, and the drum progresses louder and louder as she continues to speak about the pain that she feels.

Jhene Aiko speaks truth through her music, but she also speaks of positivity. The song “3:16 am” shines light on the harsh reality of depression that we may face in the real world. “Bed Peace” counteracts this by fantasizing a break from the real world. Jhene Aiko’s versatility compelled her to be the composer selected for this essay. Her ability to utilize her experiences from her childhood and make music that speaks volumes to that results in millions of fans who can relate to the authenticity of her music. In addition, her capability of composing music that shows the light in the world shines truth on the positive aspect of life. Jhene Aiko uses her platform as an artist positively, to show others that we are not the only ones who feel overwhelmed by the weight of the world. In the same light, she is able compose music that takes that weight off, showing us a world of enjoyment and peace.