Profile Text
Aiko in 2015
Birth Name: Jhené Aiko Efuru Chilombo
Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States
Date of Birth: March 16, 1988
Ethnicity: African-American, one quarter Japanese, one eighth Louisiana Creole [African, French], distant Native American
Jhené Aiko is an American pop and R&B singer and songwriter.
She is the daughter of Karamo Chilombo (born Gregory Wycliff Barnes) and Christina Yamamoto. Her sister is singer Mila J . Jhené’s parents are pictured here . Jhené has a daughter with R&B singer O’Ryan, who is the brother of singer and actor Omarion ; and a son with her partner, rapper Big Sean .
Jhené’s paternal grandparents were both African-American. Jhené’s maternal grandfather is of Japanese descent, while Jhené’s maternal grandmother is of African-American and Louisiana Creole [African, French] ancestry.
A DNA test taken by Jhené stated that her genetic ancestry consists of:
*34% Europe ——–*15% Trace Regions ——–*13% Ireland ——–*6% Europe West *33% Africa ——–*17% Trace Regions ——–*16% Nigeria *28% Asia ——–*28% Asia East *3% America ——–*3% Native American *1% West Asia *<1% Pacific Islander ——–*<1% Trace Regions
*34% Europe ——–*15% Trace Regions ——–*13% Ireland ——–*6% Europe West *33% Africa ——–*17% Trace Regions ——–*16% Nigeria *28% Asia ——–*28% Asia East *3% America ——–*3% Native American *1% West Asia *<1% Pacific Islander ——–*<1% Trace Regions
Another version of Jhené’s DNA test result can be seen here .
Jhené has stated that her father also has German Jewish and Native American ancestry. It is not clear if this ancestry has been verified/documented. Her DNA result contains no obvious indicators of Jewish ancestry. Her DNA result does match 3% Native American roots.
It is also said that Jhené has Dominican Republic ancestry. This does not appear to be accurate.
Jhené has also stated that her black paternal grandparents were “mixed;” which is true, to some extent, of most people of African-American descent. All of Jhené’s paternal grandparents and great-grandparents are listed as black on United States Censuses.
LOS ANGELES – APR 3: Aiko at the iHeart Radio Music Awards 2016 Arrivals at the The Forum on April 3, 2016 in Inglewood, CA, photo by kathclick
Jhené’s paternal grandfather was George Warren Barnes (the son of George Washington “Jack” Barnes and Ruth Alberta Williams). Jhené’s grandfather George was born in Birmingham, Alabama, to a father from Alabama and a mother from Georgia.
Jhené’s paternal grandmother was Helen Viola Chisholm (the daughter of George A. Chisholm and Helen Imelda Duff). Jhené’s grandmother Helen was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Helen is pictured here and here . George was born in Pennsylvania, to Nelson Chisholm and Sally/Sallie Jane Green. Jhené’s great-grandmother Helen was born in Virginia, to Job/John Henry Duff and Catherine/Katherine Elizabeth Somers/Sommers.
Jhené’s maternal grandfather was named Teddy Tadashi Yamamoto (the son of Soyie/Sohei Yamamoto and Kimiko/Kinuko Yamamoto). Tadashi was born in Los Angeles, California. Soyie was born in Katada, Shimacho, Shimagun, Mie-ken, Japan, the son of Yamamoto Isaburo and Takeuchi Omasu. Jhené’s great-grandmother Kimiko was born in Hilo, Hawaii, to Japanese parents, Yoshikichi Yamamoto, who was from Hiroshima; and Hisa Sueoka.
Jhené’s maternal grandmother was Essie/Esther Regina Pecot (the daughter of Forest Pecot and Verna Della Stone). Essie was born in Texas, or Arizona. Forest was born in St. Mary, Louisiana, and was a Louisiana Creole, the son of Leon Pecot and Regina Ursin Prevost. Leon was said to have been the son of Joseph Charles Pecot, who was white; including roots on Haiti. Jhené’s great-grandmother Verna was born in McKinley, New Mexico, to African-American parents, John Stone, from Tennessee, and Essie Lathan, from Texas.
Several pictures of Jhené’s ancestors can be seen here . Jhené’s maternal grandparents, as well as Jhené’s mother’s maternal grandparents, are pictured here . Jhené’s maternal grandfather’s mother is pictured here , and Jhené’s maternal grandmother’s parents are pictured here . A picture of Jhené’s maternal great-great-grandmother Regina Prevost can be seen here .
Sources: https://intothegloss.com
Jhené’s paternal grandfather, George Warren Barnes, on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Jhené’s paternal grandmother, Helen Viola Chisholm, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Obituary of Jhené’s paternal grandmother, Helen Viola (Chisholm) Barnes – http://www.legacy.com
Jhené’s paternal great-grandparents, George A. Chisholm and Helen Imelda Duff, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Jhené discusses her background – http://noisey.vice.com
Aiko in 2014, photo by PrPhotos.com