Chilombo (album)
Chilombo | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | March 6, 2020 | |||
Recorded | 2019 - January 2020 | |||
Genre | Neo soul[1] | |||
Length | 63:26 | |||
Label |
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Producer |
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Jhené Aiko chronology | ||||
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Deluxe edition cover | ||||
Singles from Chilombo | ||||
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Chilombo is the third studio album by American singer
Chilombo received generally positive reviews from critics and was a commercial success. The album debuted at number two on the US
Background
Two years after the release of her second studio album Trip (2017), Aiko announced she had begun work on the follow-up album. She revealed that her third album would only consist of freestyles and focus on relationships, stating "my next album is all freestyles where i touch on many subjects and relationships... past, present and future." In 2019 Aiko had completed three songs for the album as well as releasing the taster "Wasted Love Freestyle". Speculation led the media to believe the album would focus on Aiko's breakup with rapper Big Sean.[6]
Recording
Aiko recorded the album on the big island of Hawaii, and free-styled all the songs creating what she described as one "free-flowing jam session". Aiko was inspired by Hawaii volcanoes, which she likened herself to during the conception and recording of the album. She continued to describe the album as an "eruption", starting with "Triggered", creating a "flow" throughout the album.[7] The album's writing process followed a structure, with all songs beginning as a freestyle. Aiko would initially start the process with lyrics in her head, before meeting long time collaborators and producers Fisticuffs or her keyboard player. From there they would "build" the music around the freestyle. "Triggered (Freestyle)" was created from this process, as were all of the album's tracks. Aiko and producers Fisticuffs started the song with a few instruments before Aiko took the production home where she recorded it herself in her studio.[8] Speaking about the whole album process, Aiko said: ”I'm still in transition, but I'm still me,” she said. “I still love to write all types of songs and listen to all types of music, but Chilombo definitely has a lot more acoustic instruments because I wanted it to be music that you can feel.”[9]
During the creative process for the album, Aiko was adamant on incorporating crystal alchemy sound bowls.
Songs
Chilombo consists of twenty songs and features a variety of guests including rappers
"Triggered" is a
"Pussy Fairy (OTW)" is a trap-influenced alternative R&B song.[13][14] The song's title was inspired by Aiko's relationship with Sean.[15]
"Happiness Over Everything (H.O.E.)" features guest vocals from Miguel and Future. The song is an ode to Aiko's 2011 song "Hoe" from her debut mixtape
Release and promotion
Chilombo was released on March 6, 2020, to streaming platforms by ArtClub International,
To further promote the album Aiko announced she would be embarking on "The Magic Hour" tour. The tour was set to start on May 1 and end on June 27, and would include special guests Queen Naija and Ann Marie. The North American tour would visit cities including New York, Philadelphia, Toronto, and Los Angeles.[17] On May 8, 2020, Aiko announced a deluxe edition of the album that includes additional tracks and a full version of the intro to "Pussy Fairy (OTW)", that was scheduled for a May 2020 release. The deluxe edition was later released on July 17, 2020.[18][19]
Singles
On May 8, 2019, Aiko released the album's lead single "Triggered (Freestyle)" which debuted at number fifty-one on the US Billboard
"None of Your Concern" featuring
Critical reception
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [29] |
The Guardian | [30] |
Pitchfork | 6.3/10[10] |
Stephen Kearse for Pitchfork felt that "Aiko's music too often lacks a pulse", citing that "Chilombo gestures at this larger skill set, but settles for good vibes. It's very chill, and nothing else."[10] In a review for The Guardian, Laura Snapes stated that "Chilombo is sexual, spiritual and wildly over-long", also writing that "Unfortunately, neither Aiko's narrative nor the fairly one-note production can sustain that focus across this wildly over-long record. It lacks the variety of Trip, and could do with more moments like One Way Street, which sets Aiko's existential breakdown to a dubby gleam, or the raw Born Tired, where a simple acoustic guitar motif showcases her vocal range. And while you obviously wish Aiko happiness after her breakup, it's disappointing, after the enjoyably visceral put-downs of the first half, that the album seems to conclude with a reconciliation, rendered in never-ending, luscious rhapsodies that keep coming like a film that doesn't know how to end."[30]
Accolades
Publication | Accolade | Rank | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
Billboard | Billboard's 50 Best Albums of 2020 – Mid-Year | — | |
HipHopDX | HipHopDX's Best R&B Albums of 2020 – Mid-Year | — | |
Uproxx | The Best R&B Albums of 2020 | 4
|
Grammy Awards
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2021 | Chilombo | Album of the Year | Nominated |
Best Progressive R&B Album | Nominated | ||
"Lightning & Thunder" | Best R&B Performance | Nominated |
Commercial performance
Chilombo debuted at number two on the US
In the United Kingdom, the album debuted at number 13 on the UK Albums Chart, becoming Aiko's highest-charting album and first top 20 in the region.[38] In Canada, the album peaked at number seven on the Canadian Albums Chart, becoming Aiko's first top-ten album there.[39]
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Lotus (Intro)" |
| Lejkeys | 1:13 |
2. | "Triggered (Freestyle)" |
|
| 3:30 |
3. | "None of Your Concern" (featuring Big Sean) |
| Fisticuffs | 4:19 |
4. | "Speak" |
|
| 3:05 |
5. | "B.S." (featuring H.E.R.) |
| Fisticuffs | 3:33 |
6. | "Pussy Fairy (OTW)" |
|
| 3:41 |
7. | "Happiness Over Everything (H.O.E.)" (featuring Future and Miguel) |
| Fisticuffs | 3:08 |
8. | "One Way St." (featuring Ab-Soul) |
| Lejkeys | 2:54 |
9. | "Define Me" (interlude) | Jh. Chilombo | Jhené Aiko | 1:49 |
10. | "Surrender" (featuring Dr. Chill) |
| Fisticuffs | 4:18 |
11. | "Tryna Smoke" |
|
| 4:30 |
12. | "Born Tired" |
| Fisticuffs | 3:15 |
13. | "Love" |
|
| 2:36 |
14. | "10k Hours" (featuring Nas) |
| Lejkeys | 4:18 |
15. | "Summer 2020" (interlude) |
| Lejkeys | 1:46 |
16. | "Mourning Doves" |
| Lejkeys | 2:48 |
17. | "Pray for You" |
| Lejkeys | 1:40 |
18. | "Lightning & Thunder" (featuring John Legend) |
|
| 4:30 |
19. | "Magic Hour" |
| Lejkeys | 3:16 |
20. | "Party for Me (West Coast Version)" (featuring Ty Dolla Sign) |
| Lejkeys | 3:26 |
Total length: | 63:34 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
20. | "Party for Me (Outro)" | Jh. Chilombo | Lejkeys | 1:34 |
Total length: | 61:42 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
21. | "Above and Beyond (Piano)" |
| Fisticuffs | 2:50 |
22. | "Above and Beyond" |
| Fisticuffs | 3:26 |
23. | "B.S." (Remix) (featuring Kehlani) |
| Fisticuffs | 3:32 |
24. | "All Good" |
|
| 2:43 |
25. | "Come On" |
|
| 2:34 |
26. | "On the Way" (featuring Mila J) |
|
| 3:42 |
27. | "Tryna Smoke" (Remix) (featuring Chris Brown and Snoop Dogg) |
|
| 4:32 |
28. | "Down Again" (featuring Wiz Khalifa) |
| Fisticuffs | 2:18 |
29. | "Summer 2020" |
|
| 3:16 |
Total length: | 92:34 |
Notes
- Physical copies of the album include a shorter version of "Party for Me" which does not feature Ty Dolla Sign.
- "Pussy Fairy (OTW)" is stylised as "P*$$Y Fairy (OTW)".
- "Love" is stylised as "LOVE".
- "On the Way" is an alternate version of "Pussy Fairy (OTW)"
Sample credits
- "Happiness Over Everything (H.O.E.)" contains interpolations of "Where Are My Panties? (Interlude)", written by Andre Benjamin, and performed by André 3000; and interpolations of "Hoe", written by Jhené Aiko Chilombo, Miguel Pimentel and Radric Davis, and performed by Jhené Aiko.
- "Summer 2020" contains a sample of "Summer Madness", written by Ronald Bell, Robert Bell, George Brown, Robert Mickens, Claydes Smith, Alton Taylor, Dennis Thomas and Ricky West, and performed by Kool & the Gang.
Personnel
Credits adapted from Tidal.[40]
Performers
- Monro – additional keyboards (1)
- Julian-Quán Việt Lê – additional keyboards (3, 7, 10), programming (12, 22, 28), flute (13), horn arrangement (14), string arrangement (16)
- Big Sean – background vocals (3)
- Ty Dolla Sign – background vocals (3)
- Steve Wyreman – guitar (3, 19)
- Jonah Levine – guitar (3), trombone (14)
- Victor San Pedro – guitar (3, 13, 18)
- Gracie Sprout – harp (3, 7, 19, 21)
- Dr. Chill – drums (10)
- Heavy Mellow – guitar (11, 27)
- Robert "Bubby" Lewis – electric bass (12, 19, 25, 29)
- Orbel Babayan – guitar (12)
- Brian Warfield – trumpet (14), additional keyboards (21)
- Fisticuffs – programming (15, 17, 20)
- Megan Shung – viola, violin (16)
- Asa Watkins – drums (18)
- Gregg Rominiecki – drums (19)
Technical
- Dave Kutch – mastering engineer
- Gregg Rominiecki – mixer (1, 3–29), recording engineer (1, 4, 5, 7–29)
- Zeke Mishanec – recording engineer (1–4, 8, 10, 12–14, 16, 18, 19, 21–26, 28, 29), mixer (2)
- Julian-Quán Việt Lê – recording engineer (1, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12–22, 24–26, 28)
- Christian Plata – recording engineer (2–7, 10, 12, 18, 21–26, 28, 29)
- Fisticuffs – recording engineer (2–7, 9, 10, 12–16, 18, 19, 21–26, 28, 29)
- Miki Tsutsumi – recording engineer (5)
- Andy Guerrero – assistant recording engineer (1, 4–29)
- Trey Pearce – assistant recording engineer (1, 4–29)
- Alex Pyle – assistant recording engineer (5)
- Brian Cruz – assistant recording engineer (11)
- Johnny Morgan – assistant recording engineer (24, 29)
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom (BPI)[54] | Silver | 60,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[4] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
Region | Date | Format(s) | Version | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Various | March 6, 2020 | Standard |
|
[55] | |
July 17, 2020 |
|
Deluxe | |||
January 22, 2021 | LP | Deluxe | [56] |
References
- ^ Hull, Tom (n.d.). "Music Tracking 2020". Tom Hull – on the Web. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
- ^ a b "Jhene Aiko Announces February Release for New Album 'Chilombo'". HipHopNMore. January 29, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
- ^ a b c d Caulfield, Keith (March 15, 2020). "Lil Uzi Vert's 'Eternal Atake' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart With Biggest Streaming Week Since 2018". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
- ^ a b c "American album certifications – Jhene Aiko – Chilombo". Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^ "2021 GRAMMYs: Complete Nominees List". Grammy.com. The Recording Academy. November 24, 2020. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
- ^ "Jhené Aiko Addresses Big Sean Breakup, Readies New Album". Rap-Up. March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e "Jhene Aiko new album Chilombo interview". Billboard. February 28, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
- ^ "Jhene Aiko talks new album". Revolt. August 21, 2019. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
- ^ Patterson, Char (February 28, 2020). "Jhené Aiko Says New Album Is All Of Her Previous Projects Combined: This Is The Baby, But It's The Evolved Version". TheJasmineBrand.com.
- ^ a b c Kearse, Stephen (March 12, 2020). "CHILOMBO album review". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
- ^ Renshaw, David (May 8, 2019). "Jhené Aiko shares 'Triggered' freestyle". The Fader. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
- ^ "Jhené Aiko and Big Sean Reunite". Rap-Up. May 11, 2019. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
- OnSMASH. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
- ^ "P*$$Y Fairy (OTW) by Jhené Aiko (Single, Alternative R&B)". Rate Your Music. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
- ^ "Jhené Aiko - P*$$Y FAIRY (OTW) Pop Up". YouTube. January 28, 2020.
- Genius. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
- ^ "Jhene Aiko Preparing for 'The Magic Hour' Tour". March 2, 2020.
- ^ "Jhené Aiko Announces 'Chilombo' Deluxe Album". Rap-Up. May 8, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
- ^ Sharpe, Lynne (May 9, 2018). "Jhené Aiko Announces "Chilombo" Deluxe Edition". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
- ^ "Top 100 Songs | Billboard Hot 100 Chart - The Week of May 25, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
- ^ "R&B Songs Chart - The Week of May 25, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
- ^ Jhené Aiko – Triggered (freestyle), retrieved May 19, 2019
- ^ "Jhene Aiko Reflects On Past Relationships in Emotional 'Triggered' Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
- ^ @JheneAiko (May 8, 2019). "triggered is NOT a diss song. it is a moment of talking shit out of frustration and passion. it's was a moment of exaggerated expression when I was feeling lost and weak. no one is to be blamed or bashed for how I was feeling in that moment. I am in control of my feelings" (Tweet). Retrieved May 19, 2019 – via Twitter.
- ^ "None of Your Concern (feat. Big Sean) by Jhené Aiko". Apple Music. November 15, 2019. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
- ^ "Jhene Aiko | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
- ^ a b "Jhené Aiko Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
- ^ "P*$$Y Fairy (OTW) – Single by Jhené Aiko". Apple Music. January 17, 2020. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
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- ^ a b Snapes, Laura (March 6, 2020). "Chilombo review". The Guardian. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
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- ^ "The Best R&B Albums Of 2020 ...so far". HipHopDX. May 30, 2020. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
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- ^ "British album certifications – Jhene Aiko – Chilombo". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
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