GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter Jhené Aiko recently visited The Recording Academy's headquarters in Santa Monica, Calif., to participate in an exclusive GRAMMY.com interview. Aiko discussed her songwriting process and how completing her debut studio album, Souled Out, was therapeutic, among other topics.

"[Souled Out] is a very personal album. I'm just sharing my lessons, and my pains and my joys," said Aiko. "At the end of the project I felt like I had done an extensive therapy session because for me it was just like letting so much weight off of my shoulders onto these tracks."  

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Aiko broke out with 2011's Sailing Soul(s), her debut mixtape featuring collaborations with GRAMMY winners Drake, Kendrick Lamar and Kanye West, among others. The following year she landed a deal with GRAMMY-winning producer No I.D.'s Artium label under the Def Jam Recordings umbrella. In 2013 she released her debut EP, Sail Out, which featured the hit single "The Worst." Sail Out rose to No. 8 on the Billboard 200 and earned Aiko her first career GRAMMY nominations for Best Urban Contemporary Album and Best R&B Song for "The Worst" at the recent 57th GRAMMY Awards. Aiko also garnered a 57th GRAMMY nomination for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Black Majik" with GRAMMY winner Common.

Released in September 2014, Souled Out peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. The album features 12 tracks co-written by Aiko, including "The Pressure," "Spotless Mind" and "Pretty Bird (Freestyle) featuring Common. Her latest single is "Living Room Flow."

Aiko's upcoming tour itinerary includes an opening slot on J. Cole's Forest Hills Drive Tour beginning May 9 in Amsterdam.