Still, Jhené’s Def Jam/ Artium debut Souled Out (released Sept. The after-hour presentations help during a shifty time in R&B, where “R” could mean “real” or “ratchet.” The 5’2” soulstress joined a crowded class of freshmen in 2014 including singers Tinashe, whose high-energy gigs resemble 2005 Rihanna circa “Pon De Replay,” and August Alsina, a street-bred thug whose struggles add bulk to his notes. The previous week, the Slauson Hills native performed on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (before his Tonight Show takeover) then popped up at 30 Rockefeller Center on Saturday Night Live for a surprise rendition of “From Time” with Drake, her eventual tour mate on his Would You Like A Tour? outing and earliest high-profile supporter since her 2011 claim-to-fame mix tape sailing soul(s). Late-night introductions can be tricky, but Jhené’s a pro. When I’m a fan of someone, I turn into a dork and I’ll say the first thing that comes to my mind. “That was super surreal for me because I’ve been watching Conan O’Brien since middle school,” Jhené says over the phone. Despite Conan indirectly turning her down (“The wife gets mad”), Jhené’s cheesy grin shows no hard feelings. He reciprocates before purring like an enticed Pepe Le Pew as she asks him to be her Valentine. After wrapping a performance of her biggest solo radio hit “The Worst” on Conan, the petite folkstress-who has even opted for heels over her traditional barefoot routine-professed her love to the orange-haired host on-camera. Story: Adelle Platon Photography: Jared RyderĪlmost 24 hours before Valentine’s Day, Jhené Aiko drops the L word. So will her competition if they’re honest. She’ll tell you how Aiko’s lyrics has an authentic presence made for millennials. Ask that one fan who almost became a suicide statistic twice before Souled Out pulled her through. Smoke and Mirrors Jhené Aiko is the worst at color-by-numbers music and her die-hard following is better off for it.

Jhené aiko siblings