Jhené Aiko has announced that a deluxe version of Chilombo will be released later this month. The “While We’re Young” singer revealed the news, along with the cover art, on social media.
“Chilombo (Deluxe) this month,” she tweeted. So far, the exact release date has not been revealed.
The original Chilombo album has become the biggest debut from a female R&B artist since Beyoncé’s Lemonade. The LP, which is the biggest of Aiko’s career, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart and No. 2 on the Billboard 200.
The 20-track album featured appearances from Big Sean, Nas, H.E.R., Ty Dolla $ign, Future and more. She recorded Chilombo in Hawaii. During that time, she began experimenting with sound bowls. The “Triggered” singer told Billboard that the instruments can be heard on every track and she plans to use the bowls in future music.
”I’m still in transition, but I’m still me,” she said. “I still love to write all types of songs and listen to all types of music, but Chilombo definitely has a lot more acoustic instruments because I wanted it to be music that you can feel.”
She continued, “You can hear what the mic was picking up in the room. Everyone was playing actual instruments [and] those resonate with you differently than digital. Chilombo is all of my projects that I put out prior to this combined. This is the baby — but it’s the evolved version.”
The album’s corresponding tour has sold out in all 33 cities. “The Magic Hour Tour” was originally set to kick off on May 1 in Boston, but has been postponed due to COVID-19.
“Due to these unprecedented times, ‘The Magic Hour Tour’ is postponed,” she wrote. “At this time, there is no information on new dates. All ticket holders are advised to hold on to their tickets and when new dates are announced, your tickets will be valid for the new date and you will be notified.”
She continued, “Our partners will follow the recommendations of local health authorities as to when to reopen venues. Please continue to check back on the venue and/or jheneaiko.com for updated information. Love you.”
Check out the cover art for the deluxe version of Chilombo below.