Triggered: The Truth About Jhene Aiko's Heartfelt Big Sean Freestyle
In 2016, Jhene Aiko and Big Sean made their relationship public after the singer's a very public split from her ex-husband Dot da Genius. Only a week after finalizing her divorce, Jhene posted an image of her latest tattoo featuring her new boo and prompted an immediate response from the internet world. Rumors of the couple's relationship began swirling two years earlier after a photo was posted of the two at a basketball game. Jhene explained that she met the Finally Famous rapper around the time of her brother's death in 2012, but their relationship had not always been romantic.
According to Jhene, they were just friends at the time, but nevertheless, Big Sean shot his shot. She explained to BBC Radio 1Xtra:
"He wanted to take me out on a date. I had a boyfriend, but I still went…just as a friend. I had never been courtside to a game and he's cool. I told my boyfriend 'I'm gonna go to this game.' He wanted to take me out on a date. I had a boyfriend, but I still went…just as a friend. I had never been courtside to a game and he's cool. I told my boyfriend 'I'm gonna go to this game.'"
Later, when Jhene was single and ready to mingle, Big Sean was dating Naya Rivera and the singer assumed she had missed her opportunity. It wasn't until breaking off his engagement with Naya that the two finally got their timing right and finally got the opportunity to give their relationship a shot.
Despite cheating rumors, divorce drama, and maintaining chaotic careers, the couple was seemingly very deeply in love; that is, until earlier this year when it was rumored that the two decided to end their relationship after three years. Jhene finally confirmed the alleged breakup in great detail in her latest freestyle, "Triggered", which had Black Twitter in shambles.
The couple previously alluded to their split via social media but have been tight-lipped about whether or not the rumors were true. Last month, after the death of rap superstar and entrepreneur, Nipsey Hussle, Jhene wrote this on Big Sean's Instagram page:
"You are so special. To me. To the world. While we're both still on this planet I just want to say I love you beyond measure. Even tho I get big mad and u trigger the f*ck out of me. U make me feel. And I appreciate that. Because I thought I was dead inside. My ego has no say when it comes to you. And my heart has been broken a thousand times just to expand. It always finds room for you. I love you from this life to the next and all the other lives we've known each other before. Imma always talk my shit. But Imma always have ur back."
Despite their breakup, both Jhene and Big Sean have remained amicable; but some might say that perception changed after dropping her latest single. According to Jhene, the song, which apparently some fans interpreted as a diss, was a way for her to grieve her relationship in a healthy way. She wrote on Twitter:
"Triggered is NOT a diss song. it is a moment of talking shit out of frustration and passion. It was a moment of exaggerated expression when I was feeling lost and weak. no one is to be blamed or bashed for how I was feeling in that moment. I am in control of my feelings."
In the song, Jhene opens up about the healing process (or lack thereof) that takes place after ending a relationship you thought would last forever. She explained that it was important for her to put her feelings on paper before she could really move forward.
"'Triggered' was a moment. a moment that for me has passed. it is new to you because ur just now hearing it, but for me... it's something I moved on from the moment I expressed it."
When someone says the word "grieve" you may automatically think of a candlelight vigil and funeral, but the truth is, we all grieve different things in different ways. When we were little, saying goodbye to an old relationship meant mustering up the courage to flush your goldfish down the toilet, but as adults and that goldfish is now the man you thought you'd spend your life with, the process becomes much more difficult. The 29-year-old singer revealed that the key to her healing was investing the negative emotions she might have felt at the time into art.
"This is how I paint. this is me yelling and throwing paint at a canvas... then going out into the world feeling less tension, more open... more loving. going to bed feeling less stressed, more optimistic."
Jhene also explained that creating art is one of the most reliable forms of self-care. It's true that energy can't be created or destroyed, but you have full autonomy over your emotions and how they feed your vibe. Having true emotional intelligence is a superpower and knowing how to shift your mood regardless of how you feel can prevent you from making some regrettable decisions. Jhene explained that writing the song was a way for her to walk in her own truth as well as break some old bad habits.
"One night I was so deep in my feelings, I was afraid of what I might do. I didn't want to revert to the same bad habits that have set me back time and time again. I realized that instead of running away from my emotions…I needed to sit with them, express myself and say whatever came to mind. It was healing to say the least…and now I feel a bit more free."
So take it from Jhene, the next time you're on your Waiting To Exhale sh*t ready to bring the noise with some matches, gasoline, and a cigarette, try writing a dope freestyle instead.
Check out Jhene's full video for "Triggered" below!
Jhené Aiko - Triggered (freestyle)www.youtube.com
Featured image by Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com
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Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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I Tried Beyoncé's Haircare Line CÉCRED & Here's My Honest Review
Beyoncé is snatching our wallets yet again with her latest business venture CÉCRED. In 2023, the Texas native hinted at a potential haircare line when she posted this photo causing fans to speculate that her next project would be focused on her famous tresses - they were right. Her haircare line Cécred launched on February 20 with her first drop called The Foundation Collection which focuses on haircare first, and I can only assume that a style product line for colored-treated hair will likely follow since Beyoncé is known for slaying various shades of blonde.
As a super fan since the early 2000s, it was only right that I give an honest review of the full line and purchase the Super Fan Bundle (retailed at $265) which includes the full product line of the 8 products, as well as a branded cosmetic bag. If you’re thinking, “Girl that bundle is too pricey for me,” I can assure you that for the value you're getting, the price is quite reasonable. This bundle was an intentional and marketable way to allow consumers to experience every Cécred product.
The brand messaging surrounding Cécred has been salon-inspired, and rightfully so as an ode to Beyoncé’s upbringing growing up in her mother’s hair salon in Houston. This line is backed by science and licensed cosmetologists showing that she’s done her research and appointed the experts. Cécred's IG feed has been filled with images and videos inside of hair salons including some videos of Ms. Tina herself assisting in the styling of beauty experts who visited Cécred's private salon to have the VIP treatment!
Now, have I seen influencers, consumers, and beauty stylists using the Foundation Collection at home? Yes, but I thought it was best to experience Cécred with my go-to cosmetologist who also happens to be my Auntie Tawana. She has been my educator and go-to for hair knowledge since I was a child and has had a hand in my mom's hair health which has always been goals for me. As a little girl, my Saturdays were spent sitting in her hair salon while my mama got her hair done as I patiently waited reading Jet and ESSENCE, ever so carefully eavesdropping on the conversations of the ladies who were coming for much more than just a beauty routine, but an experience.
I’d fall asleep on the plush couch in the waiting area flipping through magazines while listening to the sultry sounds of Maxwell. And I had my first lesson in breakup empowerment when I heard Sunshine Anderson’s “Heard It All Before.” So there was no other place for me to go than to see her, and because I’m her niece, I was able to visit her private salon in her home that she calls The After Hours where upon arrival I was greeted with my favorite Black-owned sparkling Rosé, candles lit, and my aunt’s breakdown of Cécred.
Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole
But let me refocus and share my salon experience as I tried Cécred for the first time.
If You’re Wondering…Who is Cécred For?
Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole
When news of Beyoncé potentially launching a beauty brand hit the internet, there were a bunch of predictions of what and who the line would be marketed towards and if she’d have any wig care products as she’s known for slaying her units! But she went in a totally different direction which I love, and I’m going to tell you why. Critics have questioned if Beyoncé should be venturing into the haircare industry because she is often seen in weaves and wigs, but true Beyoncé fans know that she has healthy hair and that, like many Black women, experiments with various styles.
Cécred was created for all hair types and textures, including straight to coily, virgin, color-treated, chemically processed, and heat-styled. As a Black woman who has worn wigs, had chemically processed hair, heat-styled, natural, and color-treated hair, let me tell you, this was no easy feat! The amount of money I’ve spent on my hair through its various changes just on product alone, forget styling has been astronomical.
Cécred is serving the needs of various hair types in textures and I truly believe that this is going to make Beyoncé a true competitor in the hair industry amongst brands that are comparable such as OUAI and Olaplex. Both competitor brands have similar items at a higher price point and unlike Cécred, their products and brand messaging haven’t always felt inclusive to Black women and other hair types.
Cécred has been tested inclusively and the reviews from various hair types and backgrounds of consumers are allowing the brand to stand out.
I Tried Beyoncé's Haircare Line Cécred: My Honest Review
Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole
Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole
My hair has never felt cleaner and it shined for well over a week following the styling (but the oil should be used sparingly if like me, oil can weigh down your hair.) Immediately when my hair touched the sink, my aunt told me that she saw all the dirt and oils lifting from my hair when she applied the clarifying shampoo. As a girl who loves my curls, I am often judgy when I use any other shampoo and conditioner aside from Pattern, but not this time.
When my aunt guided my hands across my hair, she showed me how my curls weren’t tangled, and how she didn’t need to comb out my curls before applying the moisturizing deep conditioner or the deconstructing treatment mask.
Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole
She applied each step with care and walked me through the process, and to my surprise, the hair mask wasn’t thick - but through trial and error as a natural girl, I’ve learned that a thick mask doesn’t always equal what’s best for your hair. She styled me with a silk press that left my hair with shine and I can honestly say that each step of the line is needed especially if you are someone who changes up your hair and deals with breakage. If your hair is healthy, you can opt out of the reconstructing treatment mask but I recommend taking the product line to your salon, having a discussion with your stylist on where your hair health needs improvement, and then purchasing based on that.
We know ourselves better than anyone else, but your stylist knows your hair better than you do. I like to lead with their knowledge first and then incorporate what my hair goals are. If you’re a girly who’s committed to hair health and has either the discipline to incorporate each step at home or can bring your products to the salon, Cécred is for you no matter if you’re a silk press or a wash-and-go naturalist.
Give Cécred a try, I’ll be using the line for my hair appointments until it runs out and if I see long-term results, it will be added to the beauty regimen indefinitely.
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Featured image courtesy of CÉCRED