Jhené Aiko has released two visuals for “Never Call Me,” a single from her album Trip, dropped in September 2017. In a nod to Aiko’s Japanese heritage, the first video shows Aiko wearing traditional Asian ceremonial garments that ends with a very sad, ocean-side ash scattering ceremony.
The second version described as the “Slauson Hills Edition” functions as a love letter for Slauson Hills in Los Angeles, the hood that raised her.
Directed by Top Shelf Junior, the video features Kurupt (leaving an utterly supportive, go-team Jhené voice mail) and includes cameos by multiple Chilombo family members including her father and siblings Mila J, Kareena and Miyoko. There are also appearances by Nipsey Hussle, Lauren London, Dom Kennedy, Hit-Boy and Casey Veggies among others.
Aiko said the visual is meant to function as a warning shot to men trying to mess with her. “I also wanted all the fukbois out there to know that I come from a real-ass neighborhood, and I have a bunch of shooters on my side in case they think about acting up,” Aiko told Billboard.
Aiko is fresh off of a round of controversy generated by rumors her boyfriend, Big Sean, was caught cheating so the timing of the statement is interesting. While Aiko subsequently stated the rumors weren’t grounded in reality she briefly stopped following Sean on Instagram when the rumor blew up and since then has disabled comments. Aiko recently celebrated her 30th birthday with a bash organized by Sean.
Check out the visuals below.
