Triggered (Freestyle)

"Triggered (Freestyle)"
Single by Jhené Aiko
from the album Chilombo
ReleasedMay 8, 2019 (2019-05-08)
Length3:31
LabelDef Jam
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Fisticuffs
  • Julian-Quan Viet Le
Jhené Aiko singles chronology
"Never Call Me"
(2018) 		"Triggered (Freestyle)"
(2019) 		"None of Your Concern"
(2019)

"Triggered (Freestyle)" is a song by American singer Jhené Aiko, released as a single on May 8, 2019, through Def Jam Recordings.[1] Written by Aiko, Ross James. Maclean Robinson, Brian K. Warfield and Julian-Quán Việt Lê. The song is a freestyle rap about Aiko's conflicted feelings following a breakup, in which she sings: "Knew from the beginning, you'd ruin everything you do it every time, you are my enemy, you are no friend of mine."[2] The song was interpreted as a diss track towards Aiko's ex-boyfriend Big Sean, with whom she formed the duo Twenty88, although she denied this, saying: "triggered is NOT a diss song. it is a moment of talking shit out of frustration and passion."[3]

The song debuted at number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 a week after its release, spending four weeks on the chart altogether.[4] The song was also ranked at number 1 in Associated Press's 10 Best Songs of 2019 year-end list.

Background and composition

[edit]
An image of Big Sean performing on stage.
The release of "Triggered" generated social media speculation that Aiko's lyrics were aimed at her ex, Detroit rapper Big Sean (pictured).[5]

"Triggered (Freestyle)" was written by Jhené Aiko, Ross James. Maclean Robinson, Brian K. Warfield and Julian-Quán Việt Lê, who also co-produced the song alongside Fisticuffs.[6] Musically, "Triggered" has been described as an emotional ballad[7][8] with a length of three minutes and thirty-one seconds.[1] The confessional freestyle rap finds Aiko pouring her soul out about a doomed relationship.[9] The song was dropped nearly one month after Aiko shared a heartfelt message to Big Sean on Instagram.[10][11] In the post, she talked about her love for the Big Sean and how he tends to "trigger" her emotions.[12]

Aiko accompanied the song's release with a note revealing the intense emotions that sparked the tune.

"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."[13][14]

Speaking to Essence, Aiko explained that his initial reaction was surprise. "He was just like, 'Wow, I'm not your friend.' I was like, 'Well, I was feeling that in the moment. This is just a song. This is not 100% about you,'" she said. Aiko added: "I feel like, especially because we have a personal relationship, and a true friendship, that's why I could play it for him, and be like, 'Yeah, sorry. I kind of went really hard, but don't think that this is a personal letter to you.'"[15]

Critical reception

[edit]

The song received critical acclaim. Michael Saponara of Billboard called "Triggered" an "emotive freestyle".[16] Soundigest's Kiku Gross praised the song's emotional direction and said, "The juxtaposition of the sweet song and the fierce lyrics is what sells this song. It’s rare to hear a woman be mad, and in a genuine way. Aiko isn’t just upset, she’s honestly laying out feelings of betrayal, of anger, and of hurt."[17] Furthermore, Gross felt that Aiko’s earnest delivery of the song undercuts a lot of the more "intense" lyricism. Gross also complimented Aiko's musical style and called the song "impressively sweet" for how intense it is.[17]

Many critics felt that the song was about Aiko and Big Sean's break-up. Peter Helman of Stereogum said that the song was a "sensual meditation on the swirl of bitterness and loneliness that follows a breakup" and pointed out how the song's lyrics felt similar to Aiko's relationship and break-up with Big Sean.[18] Alyssa Norwin of Hollywood Life also felt the song was related Aiko's relationship with Big Sean, and added, "The scathing lyrics are quite shocking, considering Jhene just left Sean a sweet comment on Instagram last month".[19] Writing for The Fader, David Renshaw said that "Triggered" takes the form of a freestyle in which she opens up about her confused feelings following a split.[20]

Trey Alston of MTV News commented, "Aiko returns to her soft world of cerulean waterfalls and perennial showers on 'Triggered.' But while Aiko treads familiar, heavenly realms with her atmosphere, her words bring death by a thousand cuts. She flares her reptilian nostrils at an ex-lover while smoke clouds continuously form. "You'd ruin everything, you do it every time / You are my enemy, you are no friend of mine," she sings, adding "motherfucker" at the end like a final, twisting cut to the aorta. "Don't know what I'm capable of / Might fuck around and go crazy on cuz," she continues. "Might fuck around, have to pay me in blood."[21]

Associated Press ranked "Triggered (Freestyle)" at number 1 on its year-end list of the 10 best songs of 2019.[22][23] Pitchfork ranked the song at number 65 on its year-end list of the 100 best songs of 2019.[24]

Music video and promotion

[edit]

On May 7, 2019, the single's accompanying music video premiered via YouTube.[25] It was uploaded a day after Aiko posted two blurred photos of her standing and sitting on a canyon via her Instagram account.[26][27] The three-minute video shows Aiko standing atop a massive canyon. She appears to be staring straight ahead as if she were addressing her ex-lover face-to-face.[28] A vertical video for the song was posted on YouTube on June 5, 2019. The video centers around just Aiko and a microphone.[29]

Charts

[edit]
Chart (2019) Peak
position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[30] 20
US Billboard Hot 100[31] 51
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[32] 19
US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (Billboard)[33] 23

Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[34] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Country Date Format Label Ref.
Canada May 8, 2019
Def Jam [35]
France [36]
Germany [37]
Italy [38]
United Kingdom [39]
United States [1]
Spain [40]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Triggered (freestyle) – Single by Jhené Aiko". iTunes Store (US). Retrieved May 22, 2019.
  2. ^ Renshaw, David (May 8, 2019). "Jhené Aiko shares 'Triggered' freestyle". The Fader. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
  3. ^ "Jhené Aiko and Big Sean Reunite". Rap-Up. May 11, 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
  4. ^ "NCT 127, Jhené Aiko And Megan Thee Stallion Reach The Top 10 With New Albums Behind Lil Uzi Vert". Forbes.com.
  5. ^ "Jhené Aiko Throws Shade At Ex-Boyfriend Big Sean On New Song 'Triggered' - LISTEN'". Capital XTRA. May 8, 2019.
  6. ^ ""Triggered (Freestyle)" by Jhené Aiko". SongMeanings. May 10, 2019. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  7. ^ "Jhené Aiko Says 'Triggered' Is Not a Big Sean Diss". Rap-Up. May 8, 2019. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
  8. ^ "#GoodVibesOnly: Jhene Aiko delivers soothing "Trigger Protection Mantra" for "relaxation purposes"". KBLX-FM. September 16, 2019. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
  9. ^ "jhené aiko – triggered | WFG". www.wfgpiv.co. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  10. ^ "Jhene Aiko emotionally reflects on love lost in new video for "Triggered (Freestyle)" - Music News - ABC News Radio". abcnewsradioonline.com. May 8, 2019. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  11. ^ "Jhené Aiko Pens Loving Message To Big Sean On Instagram". Vibe. April 15, 2019. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  12. ^ "Jhene Aiko emotionally reflects on love lost in new video for "Triggered (Freestyle)" - Music News - ABC News Radio". ABC News Radio. May 8, 2019. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  13. ^ Thomas, Niamey (May 21, 2019). "We all triggered - Jhene Aiko". iamrootco.com.
  14. ^ "Jhene Aiko Shares Feeling "#Triggered" When Going Through Depressive Moment". Independent Hits. June 25, 2019.
  15. ^ McKenzie, Joi-Marie (February 15, 2020). "Jhené Aiko Talks New Album And True Inspiration Behind Alleged Diss Track 'Triggered'". Essence.
  16. ^ Saponara, Michael (May 8, 2019). "Jhene Aiko Reflects On Past Relationships in Emotional 'Triggered' Video: Watch". Billboard.
  17. ^ a b Gross, Kiku. "Jhené Aiko Covers Tranquil Fury With a Candy Coating in "Triggered (Freestyle)"". Soundigest. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  18. ^ Helman, Peter. "Jhené Aiko – "Triggered (Freestyle)" Video". Stereogum.
  19. ^ Norwin, Alyssa (May 8, 2019). "New Music: Lana Del Rey – 'High By The Beach'". Hollywood Life. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  20. ^ Renshaw, David (May 8, 2019). "Jhené Aiko shares "Triggered" freestyle". The Fader. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  21. ^ Alston, Trey (May 8, 2019). "Jhene Aiko Chars An Ex With Blue Dragon Flames On 'Triggered (Freestyle)'". MTV News. Archived from the original on May 9, 2019. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  22. ^ Fekadu, Mesfin (December 7, 2019). "AP's top songs of 2019: Jhené Aiko, Sam Smith, Normani". APNews. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
  23. ^ "Jhené Aiko's 'Triggered (freestyle)' is the top song of 2019: music critic". New York Daily News. December 7, 2019.
  24. ^ "The 100 Best Tracks of 2019". Pitchfork. December 9, 2019. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
  25. ^ Helman, Peter (May 8, 2019). "Jhené Aiko – 'Triggered (Freestyle)' Video". Stereogum. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
  26. ^ "Jhené Aiko Efuru Chilombo on Instagram: "dont know what i'm capable of"". Instagram.com. May 6, 2019 – via Instagram.
  27. ^ "Jhené Aiko Efuru Chilombo on Instagram: "maybe i'm overreacting..."". Instagram.com. May 6, 2020 – via Instagram.
  28. ^ "Jhene Aiko Addresses Mixed Emotions In "Triggered (Freestyle)" Video". Vibe. May 8, 2019.
  29. ^ Powell, Jon (June 6, 2019). "Jhené Aiko Drops Vertical Video for "Triggered Freestyle"". Respect. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  30. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. May 20, 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
  31. ^ "Jhene Aiko Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
  32. ^ "Jhene Aiko Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
  33. ^ "Jhene Aiko Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
  34. ^ "American single certifications – Jhene Aiko – Triggered (Freestyle)". Recording Industry Association of America.
  35. ^ "Triggered (freestyle) – Single by Jhené Aiko". iTunes Store (CA). Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  36. ^ "Triggered (freestyle) [Explicit]: Jhené Aiko" (in French). Amazon.fr. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  37. ^ "Triggered (freestyle) [Explicit]: Jhené Aiko" (in German). Amazon.de. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  38. ^ "Triggered (freestyle) [Explicit]: Jhené Aiko" (in Italian). Amazon.it. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  39. ^ "Triggered (freestyle) – Single by Jhené Aiko". iTunes Store (UK). Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  40. ^ "Triggered (freestyle) [Explicit]: Jhene aiko" (in Spanish). Amazon.es. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
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