Jhené Aiko has another award from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) to add to her collection.
Her 2020 track “Above and Beyond” is now certified gold after selling 500,000 equivalent units. The lovelorn tune, produced by Fisticuffs, is lifted from Chilombo (Deluxe), an expanded edition of Aiko’s Grammy-nominated album.
“Above and Beyond” is the first song from Chilombo to receive an RIAA certification.
Aiko previously collected plaques for the following tracks: “P*$$y Fairy” (platinum); “None of Your Concern” featuring Big Sean (platinum); “B.S.” featuring H.E.R. (2x multi-platinum); “Triggered (Freestyle)” (2x multi-platinum) and “On the Way” featuring Mila J (gold).
Though it’s been nearly three years since Aiko last released an album, she has kept her fans engaged with a few musical releases.
In 2021, Aiko celebrated the 10th anniversary of her debut mixtape, Sailing Soul(s), by making it available on all streaming services.
“I wanted the cover to express me breaking free from that narrative of having to ‘sell’ myself,” she explained on Instagram. “I wanted the broken chains to symbolize that freedom of being unanchored… free to be me, going with the flow… going with the wind like a boat… freeing my soul…. ‘sailing’ my soul instead of ‘selling’ my soul.”
Also in 2021, Aiko appeared on two soundtracks: Raya and the Last Dragon (“Lead the Way“) and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (“In the Dark“).
Last year, Aiko collaborated with Megan Thee Stallion on her song “Consistency” and appeared on AUGUST 08’s “Water Sign.” The latter artist is signed to Aiko’s new label ALLEL Sound, in partnership with Def Jam Recordings.
Additionally, Aiko reunited with John Legend on “Splash” from his double album, LEGEND. They previously collaborated on “Lightning & Thunder” from Aiko’s Chilombo and “U Move, I Move” from Legend’s Bigger Love.
In the fall of 2022, Aiko welcomed her first child with Big Sean. “After 24 hours of Labor, A Lunar Eclipse, with rain from the beginning of labor til he was born, he’s here safe and sound. Happy, Healthy and everything we could ever ask for and more. Any and everything for you Son. Noah,” Big Sean wrote in an Instagram post.
Aiko partnered with Sleep Soul to release a soothing project titled Sleep Soul Relaxing R&B Sleep Music For Babies. “I’m super excited to partner with Sleep Soul to share this R&B lullaby album. As a mom of a newborn, I can really appreciate anything that helps me and my baby boy get to sleep,” said Aiko.
She added, “These R&B lullaby tracks help soothe and relax Mom, Dad and baby. Being a part of a project like this is important to me because I believe sleep is essential for the well-being of both parent and child.”
Stream “Above and Beyond” by Jhené Aiko below.