Grammy-nominated
pop sensation JHENÉ AIKO is making her long-awaited New Zealand debut in 2016, bringing
her electrifying live show with full band to Wellington on February 24.
Jhené Aiko is as vital and individual an artist as any working right now. A major voice in
the alternative R&B scene, Aiko’s
ascendancy has been swift and captivating.
Releasing her debut mixtape
. Sailing Soul(s) in
2011, Aiko’s
emergence brought with it a unique new approach to the R&B form. Despite
featuring stellar guest appearances from Drake, Kanye West, Miguel and Kendrick Lamar,
the mixtape stood – above all else – as an emphatic introduction to Aiko’s ethereal
talent.
Surrounded by building hype and intrigue, Aiko signed to Atrium Records – an
imprint of Def Jam directed by longtime Jay
Z associate and producer No
I.D. Working tirelessly on new material with her regular
production collaborator Fisticuffs,
the singer released her premiere major-label EP in November 2013.
Sail Out debuted at #8
on the
Billboard 200
chart, selling 34,000 copies in its first week.
Quickly becoming one of the most highly-anticipated albums of 2014, Aiko’s
Souled Out cemented
her position as an indelible force in the pop landscape. A further refinement
of her sublime sound, the record fuses elements of hip-hop, classic R&B and
hints of psychedelic rock – perfectly exemplifying the singer’s ability to move
between styles and moods with absolute fluency
Entering the
Billboard Top
R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart at #1,
Souled Out was immediately declared a triumph by critics and fans
throughout the world.
Listen to Jhené Aiko’s
Spotless Mind from
Souled Out hereJhené Aiko plays
the Michael Fowler
Centre in Wellington on Wednesday February 24. Tickets go on sale Thursday January 14 from
http://www.ticketek.co.nz/. Ticket prices start at $60 +bf; VIP (front row) tickets available for $100 +bf.
"A breath of fresh air
in a musical sea that’s often changing tides and taking artists with it.” – XXL Magazine “Jhené Aiko's songs are
intimate conversations”– Billboard
Opening for Jhené Aiko is New Zealand born singer, Sacha Vee. Channeling a mix between Jill Scott and Erykah Badu, Vee is an international star on the rise and is ecstatic to be opening for Aiko in Wellington tomorrow night.
Currently residing between New Zealand and Amsterdam, Vee's latest body of work, RISING ONE EP (BBE Records, 2015) blends the earthy roots of her background of Jazz and Soul with the raw elements of hip hop and electronic pop. The first single from the EP – ‘Hey Sugar’ reached a wide audience and featured remixes from INT, Mr Bird and Sumsuch.
Vee’s current focus is on her next solo release as well as showcasing her skills, other than singing, in a brand new solo show. The live set up consists of her controlling many musical elements, including drum samples/pads, playing keys and live vocals.
Sacha Vee - GING THE REMIXES (EP) is released Friday February 26.