Sail Out

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Sail Out
EP by
Jhené Aiko
ReleasedNovember 12, 2013 (2013-11-12)
Recorded2012–2013
GenreAlternative R&B
Length29:42
Label
  • ARTium
  • Def Jam
Producer
Jhené Aiko chronology
Sailing Soul(s)
(2011) 		Sail Out
(2013) 		Souled Out
(2014)
Singles from Sail Out
  1. "3:16AM"
    Released: September 4, 2012
  2. "Bed Peace"
    Released: September 17, 2013
  3. "The Worst"
    Released: January 14, 2014

Sail Out is the debut

Best Urban Contemporary Album at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards
. In 2012, Aiko met with American record producer and vice president of A&R at Def Jam No I.D., who ended up signing Aiko to his Artium Records imprint, through Def Jam.[1]

The writing, recording and producing of the EP began shortly after Aiko was signed to Def Jam in 2012. Most of the album was written by Aiko herself and features production from

Childish Gambino and Vince Staples
.

Aiko released the track "

Bed-Ins for Peace protest against the Vietnam War.[3] On January 14, 2014, "The Worst" was serviced to rhythmic contemporary
radio in the United States as the album's third single, and peaked at number 43 in April, 2014 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Background

In 2003, Aiko released a video for her debut single "NO L.O.V.E", when she was 15 years old. Aiko was set to release her debut album, then-titled My Name Is Jhené, however the album was never released due to tension at the record label Epic, which ultimately led to Aiko asking to be released from the label. She then began to focus on school and continue her education.[4] Following the birth of her daughter, Aiko began to make her return to music in 2008 and began meeting with labels.[5] In 2011, she released her debut mixtape Sailing Soul(s),[6] which was received well by critics and was certified gold by mixtape-sharing website Datpiff, for downloads of 100,000.[7]

In 2012, Aiko met with

Def Jam, who ended up signing Aiko to his Artium Records imprint through Def Jam.[1]
Aiko spoke on how the meeting came to happen with No I.D. saying "A mutual friend began working with No I.D. He called and said No I.D. wanted to have a meeting with me. He told me he was with Def Jam. The interview was unlike any meeting I had before. He made me feel comfortable. He’s very humble."[8] Aiko revealed that she has signed to
Def Jam via her official Twitter account, the tweet consisted of an image of Jhene Akio and No I.D. holding a contract.[9]
During an interview Aiko spoke on signing to a label saying “It’s a little different now when the label’s involved, everybody has to be on the same page and the same time line.”[10]

Recording

"Souled Out" will feature production from producer Fisticuffs, who helped produce the majority of Aiko's 2011 mixtape

TDE.[12]

In October 2012, after performing at SOB's in New York City, Aiko revealed to The Singers Room that she is recording a project with No I.D. and the rest of Cocaine 80s and that they would also be featured on her upcoming Def Jam debut, Souled Out: "Me and the Cocaine 80s is made up of musicians, singers and producers. I told them I wanted to be a part of the Cocaine 80s. I wanted to be the female voice of the group. They will be featured on ‘Souled Out’. Yes, we are definitely working on a mixtape or album together. That is definitely in the works.[13] Aiko stated that she was looking forward to working with American artist Kid Cudi saying "It's on my wish list, I'm not gonna say, you know, that he's gonna be on there. One day, maybe", she also revealed that American rapper Big Sean and members of the TDE cats (Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, Jay Rock) may make an appearance on "Souled Out".[14]

During an interview Aiko was asked if rapper Kendrick Lamar in which she replied "You know what, I sure do hope so!" during the interview Aiko also revealed that she had recorded a song with rapper Ab-Soul saying "I have an amazing song with Ab-Soul that’s gonna be on there. Of course they’re all busy so you never know. Definitely I’m pushing for that Kendrick collab though".[15] Aiko revealed that she had been sent many songs for her debut saying "I’ve been getting so many tracks lately and I’m not used to that. I’m used to just having a handful to work with but now that the label (Def Jam) is involved, they’re sending me so much great stuff and I’ve just been writing and writing and writing!"[15] Jhené Aiko also stated that she is working on the album everyday either recording or writing, but is taking her time as she doesn't want "to put out some nonsense".[16]

Composition

“Sail Out has a lot of the hip-hop/rap influence on it, even with the beats. It’s something you wanna put in your car.”

– Jhene, speaking on the EP's sound[17][18]

In 2013 Aiko revealed her alter ego known as J.Hennessy, her alter ego first appeared on her debut extended play "Sail Out". Aiko spoke about her alter ego saying she experiences twelve "different personalities in my head" every day,[19] Aiko continued to say “She’s an aspiring rapper. She still sings, but she’s more aggressive. She likes to really talk a lot of shit and talk about things that a lot of R&B singers don’t talk about.”[19]

"

marijuana and having sex, as she describes her ideal day.[20][21]
The Worst is an
R&B song that lyrically discusses AIko falling in love with someone she shouldn't.[22] The song was compared to the work of Sade due to Aiko's use of "ethereal, Japanese-inflected phrasing" along with the songs "impassioned streetwise rap."[23]

3:16, is a song that last for a duration of three minutes and sixteen seconds that lyrically speaks about "addiction, not just drugs, addiction to anything that you go to when you’re in your darkest place and I think everyone can relate to that. We’ve all been to hell and back and that’s pretty much what 3:16 is all about: going to hell and back".[15] "Comfort Inn Ending (Freestyle),"features "large swaths" and introspective lyrics that mix between rap and jazz-style scat.[23]

Release and promotion

Aiko released Sail Out as a bridge between her debut mixtape and debut studio album saying, "It’s like bridging the gap between [my mixtape] Sailing Soul(s) and Souled Out." The EP was released on November 12, 2013 with an iTunes pre-order beginning October 29.[18] On October 22, 2012 Jhené Aiko performed at the SOB's Friday night in which she performed songs from her mixtape Sailing Soul(s) (2011) such as “Higher” and “Space Jam,” Aiko also debuted a new song from the album entitled "What a Life".[24]

In 2012, Aiko was also the opening act on the highly anticipated “Life Is Good/Black Rage” concert tour headlined by fellow American artists, rapper Nas and singer-songwriter Lauryn Hill.[25] To promote the EP and The Worst Aiko performed it live on various occasions, on January 18, 2014 she performed the song on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” accompanied by The Roots, the performance was described as "emotional" by online publication Rap-Up.[26] On January 22, 2014 she performed the song at BBC Radio 1's Future Festival in Maida Vale, London along with her band wearing a flowy white dress.[27]

The following month on February 13, Aiko performed the song on Conan.[28] On May 27, 2014 Aiko performed the single on the “Ellen DeGeneres Show, the performance featured the lights turned low, and Aiko barefoot.[29] On July 22, 2014 Aiko released a video of her preparing to go on tour and rehearsals , during the video she sang an acoustic rendition of the song along with her guitarist Jeff, during the video Aiko also performed “Stay Ready (What a Life)” and "To Love & Die".[30]

Singles

Aiko released the track "3:16AM", for digital download on the

Childish Gambino was released as the album's lead single on September 17, 2013.[3]
On January 14, 2014, "The Worst" was serviced to rhythmic contemporary radio in the United States as the album's third single.[31] On May 2, 2014 "The Worst" rose from three to one on the airplay Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop, in doing so she became the first female artist to top the chart as a lead with a debut single since Jazmine Sullivan reached the same feat with "Need U Bad" in 2008.[32] The Worst also rose forty seven to forty three on the Hot 100.[32] The song peaked on the US Billboard Hot 100 at forty-three, becoming Aiko's first solo release to chart in the region, the song also peaked at number eleven on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[33][34]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Pitchfork Media
6.1/10[40]

Sail Out was generally well received by critics. At review aggregator

weighted mean rating of 68 out of 100, based on reviews from eight critics.[41]
The
Drake, Future and Frank Ocean
. New York Daily called the EP "the female answer" to Frank Ocean, however they said the EP "lapse into dullness so early, it won’t be long before it’s the listener, not Aiko, who drifts away."[37]

Commercial performance

Sail Out debuted at number eight on the US

gold by the Recording Industry Association of America
(RIAA) for selling over 500,000 copies in the United States.

In 2014, Sail Out was ranked as the 66th most popular album of the year on the Billboard 200.[45]

Track listing

Tracklist revealed on Aiko's Tumblr.[46]

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."The Vapors" (featuring Vince Staples)
Fisticuffs3:30
2."
Childish Gambino
)
  • Chilombo
  • Donald Glover
  • Robinson
  • Warfield
Fisticuffs4:16
3."Stay Ready (What a Life)" (featuring Kendrick Lamar)
Fisticuffs6:22
4."WTH" (featuring Ab-Soul)
Fisticuffs3:19
5."The Worst"
  • Chilombo
  • Robinson
  • Warfield
Fisticuffs4:14
6."3:16AM"
  • Chilombo
  • Robinson
  • Warfield
Fisticuffs3:20
7."Comfort Inn Ending (Freestyle)" (bonus track)ChilomboNo I.D.5:21
Total length:29:42

Personnel

Credits for Sail Out adapted from AllMusic.[47]

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[52] Silver 60,000‡
United States (RIAA)[53] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Date Format
Label
November 11, 2013[18] Digital Download,
CD
 Def Jam

See also

  • PBR&B

References

  1. ^ a b "Rap-Up's 10 Artists to Watch in 2012". Rap-Up.com. January 17, 2012. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
  2. ^ a b "3:16AM – Single by Jhené Aiko". iTunes Store. Apple. Archived from the original on September 8, 2012. Retrieved December 30, 2012.
  3. ^ a b "New Music: Jhené Aiko f/ Childish Gambino – 'Bed Peace'". Rap-Up.com. September 17, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  4. ^ "The Vixen Q And A: Jhene Aíko Talks 'Sailing Soul(s),' Explains Relationship With B2K & Chris Stokes + Plots To Save The World". Vibe. March 28, 2011. Archived from the original on July 16, 2015. Retrieved January 30, 2014.
  5. ^ "Jhene Aiko returns with Sailing Souls mixtape | Review + Free Download". SoulCulture. March 26, 2011. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
  6. ^ "Mixtape Download: Jhene Aiko – Sailing Soul(S)". Concreteloop.Com. March 22, 2011. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
  7. ^ "Jhene Aiko - Sailing Soul(s) // Free Mixtape @ DatPiff.com". DatPiff. Retrieved September 15, 2014.
  8. ^ "Def Jam's Jhene Aiko Balances Motherhood While Touring with Nas, Lauryn Hill". November 2, 2012.
  9. ^ "News | Def Jam Signs 'Sailing Souls' Artist Jhene Aiko". Singersroom. December 18, 2011. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  10. ^ "JHENE AIKO SPEAKS ON HER DEF JAM DEBUT ALBUM | ThisisRnB.com - Hot New R&B Music, Videos, News". ThisisRnB.com. April 2, 2012. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  11. ^ "Jhene Aiko's Guide to Wining and Dining". Theboombox.com. October 24, 2012. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  12. ^ "Video: Jhene Aiko Reveals Some Features/Production On Souled Out | The Sermon's Domain". Thesermonsdomain.com. August 21, 2012. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  13. ^ "Jhene Aiko Confirms Project With No I.D.'s Cocaine 80s [EXCLUSIVE]". Singersroom. October 24, 2012. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
  14. ^ "Jhene Aiko Shares 'Unstoppable' Spirit After Brother's Death, 'Souled Out' Debut Wish List". Theboombox.com. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  15. ^ a b c Lozza. "Jhené Aiko Interview". LozzaMusic.com. Archived from the original on October 17, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  16. ^ "Jhene Aiko Talks 'Souled Out' Debut, Music Inspirations, Song for Her Brother | ThisisRnB.com - Hot New R&B Music, Videos, News". ThisisRnB.com. August 21, 2012. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  17. ^ "Jhene Aiko Signs With Def Jam Thanks to Producer No I.D". Theboombox.com. December 19, 2011. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  18. ^ a b c "Jhené Aiko Unveils 'Sail Out' EP Cover, Tracklisting". Rap-Up.com. October 15, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  19. ^ a b "Rap-Up TV: Jhené Aiko Talks 'Sail Out' EP, Rap Alter Ego". Rap-Up.com. July 16, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  20. ^ "Jhene Aiko's 'Bed Peace' Sees Emerging Standout Teaming Up With Childish Gambino". Huffingtonpost.com. September 18, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
  21. ^ Jhené Aiko. "Jhené Aiko ft. Childish Gambino - Bed Peace | Stream". DJBooth.net. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
  22. ^ a b Mackenzie, Holly (November 21–28, 2013). Jhené Aiko: Sail Out (Def Jam/Universal). NOW. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  23. ^ a b Mendizabal, Amaya (September 18, 2014). "Jhene Aiko Shines at No. 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  24. ^ "News | Jhene Aiko Debuts New Song During "Souled Out" Performance at SOB's". Singersroom. October 22, 2012. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  25. Island Def Jam
    . October 26, 2012. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
  26. ^ "Jhené Aiko Performs 'The Worst' on 'Fallon'". Rap-up.com.
  27. ^ "Jhené Aiko Performs 'The Worst' at BBC Radio 1 Future Festival". Rap-up.com.
  28. ^ "Jhené Aiko Performs 'The Worst' on 'Conan'". Rap-up.com. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  29. ^ "Jhené Aiko Performs 'The Worst' on 'Ellen'". Rap-up.com. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  30. ^ "Jhené Aiko Performs Acoustic Version of 'To Love & Die'".
  31. ^ "FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". Archived from the original on February 21, 2010. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  32. ^ a b Trust, Gary (May 2, 2014). "Chart Moves: Katy Perry's 'Birthday' Blasts Up Hot 100; Jhene Aiko Tops Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop; Chrissie Hynde Previews First Solo Album". Billboard.com. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  33. ^ "The Hot 100". Billboard. March 20, 2014.
  34. ^
  35. Rovi Corporation
    . Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  36. ^ "Album Review: Jhene Aiko – Sail Out". consequence.net. November 28, 2013.
  37. ^ a b "Jhené Aiko, "Sail Out": Album review". NY Daily News. November 12, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  38. ^ B. Patrick, Ryan (December 9, 2013). Jhené Aiko Sail Out. Exclaim!. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  39. ^ "Jhene Aiko - Sail Out | Read Hip Hop Reviews, Rap Reviews & Hip Hop Album Reviews | HipHop DX". Archived from the original on December 7, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
  40. ^ "Jhené Aiko: Sail Out EP". Pitchfork.
  41. ^ "Sail Out [EP]". Metacritic. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  42. ^ Caulfield, Keith (November 20, 2013). "Lady Gaga Scores Second No. 1 Album With 'ARTPOP'". Billboard. Los Angeles. Retrieved November 21, 2013.
  43. ^ Tardio, Andres (November 27, 2013). "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 11/24/2013". HipHopDX. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  44. ^ "The Big 9 in 2014: Def Jam". HITS Daily Double. HITS Digital Ventures. December 9, 2014. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  45. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  46. ^ "Jhene.Aiko | defjamblr: Jhene Aiko "Sail Out" EP Tracklist &". Jheneaiko.tumblr.com. November 6, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  47. ^ "Sail Out - Jhene Aiko | Credits". AllMusic. October 29, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  48. ^ "Jhene Aiko Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  49. ^ "Jhene Aiko Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  50. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  51. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  52. ^ "British album certifications – Jhene Aiko – Sail Out". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
  53. ^ "American album certifications – Jhene Aiko – Sail Out". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
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