Jhene Aiko

Jhené Aiko moves at her own pace. In today’s frantic climate of near-constant content churn, the LA singer keeps to herself, quietly creating until she feels ready to release her latest work to the world. She’s like a volcano in that way, patiently bubbling under the surface until she’s ready to erupt with a new creative vision.

Maybe that’s why she presents herself as a fiery volcano goddess in the video for “Surrender,” which she shared this week in honor of the fourth anniversary of her most recent album, Chilombo. On Instagram, she revealed she’d be sharing the unreleased videos from the album, including clips for “Define Me (interlude),” “Love,” and of course, “Surrender.” All three videos were shot by frequent collaborator Glassface and find Jhené soaking up nature, whether that’s on the volcanic island from the “Surrender” video or taking in the savannah of Africa in “Love.” You can check out the “Surrender” video above and the “Love” and “Define Me” videos below.

In accordance with Aiko’s laid-back release schedule, she dropped her most recent songs early this year. “Sun/Son” was a dedication to her and Big Sean’s son Noah, and followed “Calm & Patient,” which came out nearly a year before. She may be feeling calm and patient, but her fans have been neither lately, as demands for a joint release with Sean as Twenty88 have become more and more persistent on social media with her increased activity. They said the album is “coming along,” but that was two years ago, so their insistence is understandable.

“Sun/Son” singer Jhené Aiko has made promoting peace, caring, and positivity a part of her artistic ethos. Unfortunately, in the court of law, one person is attempting to paint Jhené in a different light.

According to The Blast, Jhené Aiko is being sued for her alleged involvement in a 2022 car accident. In the filing obtained by the outlet on Friday, February 16, plaintiff Genelle Ligot accused Aiko of being reckless behind the wheel. Ligot suggested that Aiko’s negligence led to their July 2022 crash in Encino, California.

While at a traffic light, Ligot claims that Aiko struck her vehicle from behind, which reportedly resulted in bodily injury and, consequently, loss of wages. “Due to the negligent actions of [Aiko] while operating the motor vehicle, [Ligot] was injured in health, strength, and activity,” reads the legal documents.

Outside of the wage loss, Ligot listed that she also suffered: ‘Loss of use of property and loss of earning capacity.” Although Ligot’s financial demand amount was not included in the paperwork, she clarified that she is seeking compensation for hospital and medical expenses, general damage, property damage, and the loss of wages.

Ligot has requested a jury should the case go to trial.

Jhené Aiko has not issued a statement regarding the incident.

In Jhené Aiko’s tender new ballad, “Sun/Son,” the Los Angeles-born singer expands on the obvious homophonic metaphor, gushing about the new center of her universe. Jhené and her man Big Sean announced the birth of their son, Noah, in November 2022, sharing the first photo of the baby last January. His birth seems to have coincided with a resurgence of Jhené’s creative energy; last March, she shared her first new song in some time, “Calm & Patient,” suggesting that she might be back in the studio with a new project in the works.

Although neither Jhené nor Sean has announced anything official just yet, that increased activity was enough to earn them a shared spot on Uproxx’s Most Anticipated Albums Of 2024 list, as fans still haven’t given up on the possiblity of a follow-up to their 2016 joint album Twenty88. Sean noted as recently as February 2022 that the album is “coming along,” but considering the effort that goes into parenting a newborn, a delay was probably inevitable.

Aiko wasn’t completely off the radar in the time since; she made appearances on songs with John Legend, Tyga, Ab-Soul, and the late August 08 throughout 2022. Meanwhile, “Sun/Son” also has an acoustic piano version, which you can listen to below.