Last week, Jhené Aiko, vice president of my emotions (SZA, H.E.R and Lizzo are co-prez right now) released a freestyle called “Triggered”, a beautiful song that is clearly about her long-time love and current ex, rapper Big Sean. As usual, Twitter took notice: Jhené has been dropping hints that she is missing Sean, and is publicly unpacking aspects of their adorable and public relationship that lasted from 2016-2019.
I have been following her more closely than usual, as she is one of the hundreds of celebrities touched by the death of King of LA Nipsey Hussle and has been generously sharing her feelings about his murder. She even sang at Nipsey’s funeral. Jhené began publicly engaging Sean after his Instagram post about Nipsey’s death. She commented in part:
“You are so special to me. To the world. While we’re both still on this planet I just want to say…I love you beyond measure. Even tho I get big mad and u trigger the f**k out of me. u make me feel. and I appreciate that. because I thought I was dead inside. my ego has no say when it comes to you.”
So the freestyle didn’t come out of nowhere.
But since we are all thirsty af, we thought the freestyle (and her Insta post of them together last week, looking cute and forgiving), meant they are back together. I don’t know why I thought this, as sad events and deaths have brought me closer to appreciating some of my less evil exes but not to the point of reconciliation. The fact of the matter is life is short and love comes in many forms. Relationships may not work out, but they can also be on a spectrum. It’s totally a possibility that they are friends now, they certainly seem like soulmates. There’s also a ponytail shaped elephant in the room: recent rumours that Sean is back with another past big love in his life, Ariana Grande. It could also be a possibility that Sean is just a dope dude who’s capable of being friends with his exes. I’m of the “men are trash” constituency of society and even I still believe this to be possible, for some.
Still, even though Jhené and Sean appeared publicly together after "Triggered" dropped, she had to tell her fans to stop attacking him, since she put so much into the lyrics.
"triggered" was a moment. a moment that for me has passed. it is new to you because ur just now hearing it, but for me... it's something i moved on from the moment i expressed it.
— Chilombo (@JheneAiko) May 8, 2019
triggered is NOT a diss song. it is a moment of talking shit out of frustration and passion. it's was a moment of exaggerated expression when I was feeling lost and weak. no one is to be blamed or bashed for how I was feeling in that moment. I am in control of my feelings.
— Chilombo (@JheneAiko) May 8, 2019
this is how I paint. this is me yelling and throwing paint at a canvas... then going out into the world feeling less tension, more open... more loving. going to bed feeling less stressed, more optimistic.
— Chilombo (@JheneAiko) May 8, 2019
"Triggered:" starts like this:
Go figure
You were the trigger
You brought me to an obstructed view
When you knew the picture was bigger
Who am I kiddin'?
Knew from the beginning
You'd ruin everything, you do it every time
You are my enemy, you are no friend of mind, m-hf-cker
I mean…we’ve ALL been there, no?
