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Sail Out is the debut extended play (EP) by American recording artist Jhené Aiko, released on November 12, 2013, through Def Jam Recordings. It will be Aiko's first release under the label after leaving her contract with Sony Records in 2003. After leaving Sony Records, Aiko released her first mixtape Sailing Soul(s), independently; the mixtape featured appearances from well known artists and was met with critical acclaim. 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.

The writing, recording and producing of the album began shortly after Aiko was signed to Def Jam in 2012. Most of the album was written by Aiko herself and features production from No I.D. and Fistcuffs, the latter of whom is responsible for producing the majority of Aiko's debut mixtape Sailing Soul(s) (2011). The album features appearances from musical guests including Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul and Vince Staples.

Aiko released the track "3:16AM", for digital download on iTunes on September 4, 2012. The song was released as the first single from Sail Out. "Bed Peace" featuring Childish Gambino was released as the album's lead single on September 17, 2013. The single's artwork and music video was inspired by John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Bed-Ins for Peace protest against the Vietnam War.

Background

She released a video for her single "NO L.O.V.E" which debuted on BET 106 & Park when she was 15 years old. Jhené Aiko was set to release her self-titled debut album but the album was never released due to tension at the record label Epic, in which Aiko asked to be released from the label. Aiko then began to focus on school. Later at the age of 20, Aiko became pregnant by American R&B singer O'Ryan and gave birth on 24 November 2008. After Aiko gave birth to her daughter, six months later she began to work and develop on the mixtape. Aiko stated that she was going through trouble at this period in her life saying "At the time I was going through so much in my life that it was so easy to write the songs. I had just had a baby and I was dealing with baby father issues and I had a boyfriend. The songs were just coming and coming. I just had so much to say, and when I was signed, I never really got a chance to write my own music. I always wanted to do a mixtape and before I got pregnant I was about to get back into it ‘cause I was working with different producers and things like that. Fisticuffs, who produced the majority of sailing soul(s), I’ve known them for a while and worked with them on different projects. So yeah, the concepts were just coming and it only took about nine months to complete".

All the songs on the mixtape were written by Aiko, except “July” which was written by Micah Powell and most of the songs were produced by Fisticuffs, except “July” and “You vs Them” which were produced by Bei Maejor, “Real Now” which was produced by Roosevelt, “Do Better” which was produced by J. Lbs and “Growing Apart” which was produced by Tae Beast. The album's artwork was shot by photographer Jay 3. The mixtape also features collaborations from Miguel, Drake and Kanye West as well as others. In 2011, she also began working closely with artists from Los Angeles-based independent record label Top Dawg Entertainment.

Development

"I chose to sign to No I.Ds label instead of going directly to the big label because i personally think he is the man for the job!"

—Jhene, speaking on signing to Def Jam.

In 2012, Aiko met with No I.D., record producer and vice president of A&R at Def Jam, who ended up signing Aiko to his Artium Records imprint through Def Jam. 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." 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. During an interview Aiko spoke on signing to a label saying "I was really skeptical about doing a label deal, just because of what I had dealt with when I was younger, the more that I worked with No I.D. and was in the studio, I just saw how similar we were. He's older than me, so it was like a very good example of what I'm trying to do. He's peaceful, healthy, and into the same philosophies that I'm into, and it's great to be around that in a working environment, because the music comes out great." Aiko continued to talk on signing with Def Jam 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.”

Production

"Souled Out" will feature production from producer Fistcuffs, who helped produce the majority of Aiko's 2011 mixtape Sailing Soul(s). The album will also feature production from Aiko's mentor No I.D. and Dot da Genius whom has worked with Jhené's idol Kid Cudi. Aiko spoke on meeting with Dot da Genius saying "It was memorable when I met with Dot da Genius because I didn't really know I was going to record, and I ended up having a song that I had in my head that just worked perfectly to his track," she explains. "I was really excited to work with him because I like Kid Cudi, and he works with him, and I was like, 'Oh you know, I'm one step closer.'" Aiko will also be working with producer Key Wane and TDE.

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.

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". 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". 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!" 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".

Concept and music

“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.”

— Aiko speaking on her alter ego "J. Hennessy.

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.

“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.

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".

Critical reception

The New York Daily gave the EP two out of five stars, praising Aiko's vocals calling them a "feathery tone, sky-high pitch and dazed delivery, she floats above the beat, sexy and aloof". They also compared the album to the work of Kanye West, Kid Cudi, 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."

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 Sailing Soul(s) and Souled Out.” The EP will be released on November 12, with an iTunes pre-order beginning October 29.

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”. 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. Aiko released the track "3:16AM", for digital download on iTunes on September 4, 2012. The song was released as the first single from Sail Out. "Bed Peace" featuring Childish Gambino was released as the album's lead single on September 17, 2013. The single's artwork was inspired by John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Bed-Ins for Peace protest against the Vietnam War. On October 28, 2013, the music video was released for "Bed Peace".

Track listing

Tracklist revealed on Aiko's Tumblr.

No.	Title	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"The Vapors" (featuring Vince Staples)	Fisticuffs	3:30
2.	"Bed Peace" (featuring Childish Gambino)	Fisticuffs	4:16
3.	"Stay Ready (What A Life)" (featuring Kendrick Lamar)	Fisticuffs	6:22
4.	"WTH" (featuring Ab-Soul)	Fisticuffs	3:19
5.	"The Worst"	Fisticuffs	4:14
6.	"3:16 AM"	Fisticuffs	3:20
7.	"Comfort Inn Ending (Freestyle)" (bonus track)	No I.D.	5:21