Like many other artists, R&B singer-songwriter and rapper Jhené Aiko was scheduled to go on tour in 2020 to support the album Chilombo, released on March 6 that year — but a worldwide pandemic shut down the world. A lot has changed since 2020, including the singer giving birth to her second child, Noah, in November 2022; hip-hop artist Big Sean is Noah’s father.
Though it kept the original name, “The Magic Hour” tour was originally scheduled to play smaller venues like Radio City Music Hall in New York City and Fox Theatre in Atlanta. The tour stopped at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York earlier this week, and the tour — which kicked off in June — is her most ambitious yet.
Emerging from a giant lotus flower on stage, the Los Angeles native performed many of her biggest hits over the past decade, including 2014’s “The Worst,” her most recent Grammy-nominated song, “Guidance,” “Triggered (Freestyle),” “P*$$y Fairy (OTW)” and her hit that featured five-time Grammy Award winner H.E.R., “B.S.”
Aiko also performed many of her verses from her most popular collaborations, including the Omarion hit “Post To Be,” the 2Chainz hit “It’s A Vibe,” the Tyga single “Sunshine” and Drake’s “From Time.”
The left side of the stage then transformed into a makeshift jazz club called J.C. Brown’s. Aiko then performed with a pianist, and the set had an intimate feel despite being in a 19,000-seat arena, especially for the people closer to that side of the stage. It was a family affair as Aiko’s older sister — recording artist Milla J — came out and performed one of her singles and collaborations with her kin. The show came full circle when it ended with Aiko returning to the lotus flower she emerged from at the start of her performance.
In September, Aiko released the 10th anniversary edition of her first album, Souled Out, which was released in late summer 2014. The new album features every song from the original release plus an acoustic version of “You vs Them” and “Beautiful Rain.”
Black and Japanese singer Umi, who released her single, “Butterfly II” late in November, has been a supporting act for the entire tour, along with singer Kiana Ledé. Jamaican singers Shenseea and Jesse Reyez are supporting acts added to the tour.
The final stops are: Jacksonville, Florida, Miami, and Memphis on Dec. 14.
