The Playlist Weekly: Jhene Aiko
Written by: Malena Coleman
Published on September 17, 2026, 10p.m. EST
Jhene Aiko is an R&B singer from Los Angeles, California. She is known for her soft, breathy vocals and deeply personal, poetic lyrics that helped shape the modern alternative R&B movement.
Jhene Aiko began her music career in 2003 with her debut single No L.O.V .E. and has since built an extensive catalog of multiple albums, singles and collaborations. Her latest project, Westside Whimsy
marks her return to the album format following a six-year hiatus.
After the release of her 2020 Grammy-nominated album Chilombo she took her time crafting her
follow-up project, Westside Whimsy while navigating major life changes. She welcomed her son, Noah,
with her longtime partner Big Sean in 2022, and navigated significant personal transitions, including her reported separation from Big Sean in 2025.
Her 2020 Grammy-nominated album was a massive
commercial and critical success, leading to an extended period of reflection before starting a new creative chapter.
Aiko noted that her new 20-track album was "six years in the making," as she carefully drew inspiration
from 1990s music and California's laid-back beach and car cultures.
The project reflects a new chapter for Jhene Aiko while maintaining the same qualities that have become part of her sound.
Jhene Aiko has expanded her album visually through the Art to Agartha Saga, and the visual to Nothing
Nice to Say. These visuals give listeners another way to experience the theme and creativity surrounding
Westside Whimsy
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