Jhene Aiko didn’t hold anything back on her latest single, “Triggered (Freestyle).” The songstress dropped the new track and accompanying music video on Wednesday (May 8), where she opened up about a recent break-up and the variety of emotions that have subsequently followed.
“I’m triggered, when I see your face / Triggered, when I hear your name / Triggered, I am not ok / You need to stay out my way,” she sings. 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.
Ahead of the track and video’s release, Aiko posted a short note on social media. “One night I was so deep in my feelings, I was afraid of what I might do,” she wrote. “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.”
Many Twitter users speculated both the note and song were about her recent break-up with Big Sean. The singer previously responded to one of Sean’s Instagram posts, stating, “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.” Aiko has not confirmed who “Triggered” is about.
Watch the music video for “Triggered” above.
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