By Shanice Davis

Staff Writer

Many are not familiar with the singer-songwriter Jhené Aiko.

She originally hit the scene in the early 2000s, affiliated with R&B artists of TUG Entertainment Marques Houston, Omarion and the then popular boy group B2K, writing songs for them. She eventually disappeared for a number of years from the music scene. In 2011 Aiko came back and released her mixtape Sailing Soul(s) and by this time everyone is like “Jhené who?” in response to the dropping of her album. But, as people started listening to her tracks and noticing, she rolled with Drake, Kendrick Lamar and various other members of TDE. It was clear to people that who ever she was, she was about business. With the much success of Sailing Soul(s), she wasn’t ready to stop there. So when fans heard of there possibly being a second album, they couldn’t wait. Aiko then debuted her first album, Sail Out last year in 2013, which was applauded with much approval as well, and finally her sophomore album.

On Tuesday, Sept. 9, Aiko dropped her highly anticipated album, Souled Out with hit songs “To Love & Die” and “Spotless Mind.” After listening to the album, you will be impressed. Aiko never lets you down ever since Sailing Soul(s), which hooks you into becoming a loyal fan. The album is nothing different from what Aiko released before, with the exception of a sense of growth. The songs are slow, mellow and simple with deep lyrics, almost as though she tells short stories of her own personal relationships with men, both the good and bad. Top hip-hop artists today deem her as the “female version of Drake” to give listeners a little perspective on her music. If you like artists like Drake, The Weekend, Frank Ocean and Sam Smith then you will probably enjoy her albums. I give Souled Out five cougar paws out of five! So y’all should go listen, and if you like it, buy it on iTunes.