Where did Big Sean and Jhené Aiko meet? Relationship timeline explored as couple calls it quits after a decade together

Big Sean and Jhené Aiko met 13 years ago at No I.D.'s studio, according to an interview they did with Flaunt Magazine in 2016. Before getting together, Big Sean, whose real name is Sean Michael Leonard Anderson, collaborated with Jhené Aiko Efuru Chilombo on two of his songs, Beware and I'm Gonna Be. However, after more than a decade together, the rap power couple is calling it quits.

According to Media Take Out, a source close to Jhené revealed that the decision to split was not sudden. However, there have been "multiple ultimatums" and disagreements over the years that led her to separate from Big Sean. The insider shared:

"She wanted marriage — she wanted the commitment... Sean loves her deeply, but he just never wanted to take that final step."

Sean and Jhené share a son, and even though their romantic relationship has ended, Media Take Out reports that the pair are amicable and are co-parenting their son.

Keep reading to learn more about Big Sean and Jhené Aiko's relationship over the years.

Big Sean and Jhené Aiko's relationship timeline

As mentioned, Big Sean and Jhené Aiko met at No I.D.'s studio back in 2012. Since then, the pair have collaborated on music. They could feel the chemistry between themselves from the very beginning.

According to Jhené's Flaunt Magazine interview in 2016. She said:

"It was just very comfortable... I think secretly there's a little competition — I want my verse to sound better than his, and he wants his to sound better than mine."

The 37-year-old rapper was seeing someone else at the time, but she said:

"We went on a date... We went to a Lakers game. It was a long time ago [...] first of all, I had a boyfriend and me and Sean had already met. We were friends. So he asked me to go out with him and even though I had a boyfriend... It was pretty obvious after a while it was a date... We had never really been alone together. It was really fun."

After a few successful songs together, the pair decided to collaborate on an EP called Twenty88. At this time, Aiko was married to producer Dot da Genius, but fans have been speculating whether the two rappers were more than friends based on the chemistry from their music videos and album cover.

The dating rumors spread like wildfire after Big Sean and Aiko shared a kiss onstage after their joint performance at Power 105.1's Powerhouse festival. Before the end of 2016, Aiko filed for divorce from her husband and was later spotted at a Lakers game with Sean.

During an interview with Billboard in 2017. Jhené opened up about her relationship with Anderson for the first time. She said:

"When I met Sean, I had a boyfriend and he was showing interest in me, but I was like, I have a boyfriend. But we were friends, it was never, nothing disrespectful ever happened between me and Sean... We were forced to really, really get to know each other on a friendship level, you know what I mean? And to the point where he was even at my brother's funeral. We talk to each other on a friendship level throughout all of my relationship."

She elaborated:

"It just came to a point where it was like, 'I'm single, you're single, we love each other.' We actually already loved each other as people and then it was like, 'Okay, let's just, you know, be together.' So it was different because of that friendship. That comes first, we're friends before anything. We can bicker like a friendship... I don't know what the future holds, but as far as my life goes right now, yeah, he's 'L-O-M-L.'"

Over the years, the couple has celebrated their love for each other through different means. Aiko got a tattoo of Sean, while he threw her a surprise birthday party on a yacht.

However, after almost three years together, the pair broke up. The news was confirmed by Aiko herself when she left a comment on The Shade Room's post. She wrote:

"Me and Sean are good. I've got tons of love for him... My next album is all freestyles where I touch on many subjects and relationships … past, present and future. I know you all love the drama and would like to think everything I do or say is about him, but I've been through plenty of other things and situations that I pull inspiration from when I sit down to create a song. Have a good day."

Even during their initial breakup, the pair remained amicable. Jhené showed her support and even provided backup vocals for Big Sean's Single Again. After she tweeted a link to the song, Sean responded by writing:

"I appreciate you supporting me on this one and I want to just say I love you unconditionally. You amazing, talented, every song we do special to me! People gon say whatever but it is what it is. I could have txt u this I know but I want people to know I appreciate you."

They collaborated on another song after their breakup. This time it was Aiko's song, None of Her Concern. The two remained in touch, and by 2021, they attended the Grammys together. After the red carpet event, they were seen publicly together again. They were spotted at an L.A. Rams and San Francisco 49ers game, and were mistaken for Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr.

It is unclear when Big Sean and Jhené Aiko got together, but by 2022, the couple shared the news that they were expecting their first child together. By November, they welcomed their baby boy, Noah Hasani.

While the couple has been together for a long time, they still have not tied the knot. While Big Sean was on the Out of Context podcast, he explained the reason why they were not married. He said:

"To be real with you, just like any people who have dealt with love, we've had our ups and downs. And I think it's still finding the right navigation through it all... To me, marriage symbolizes the best relationship. I would like to, but there's a lot of work that needs to be done."

After more than a decade together, Big Sean and Jhené Aiko have gone their separate ways, with reports saying their split was thoughtful and not sudden. Despite their differences over commitment, they remain on good terms and are focused on co-parenting their son.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback