Jhene Aiko has learned firsthand how loss is a powerful force in artistic inspiration. With the tragic death of her dear brother, Miyagi Hasani Ayo Chilombo, to brain cancer in 2012, it cannot be denied that her loss of a loved one is nothing compared to her success. Here’s a look inside the death of the singer’s brother, Miyagi.

Who Was Jhene Aiko’s Brother, Miyagi?

Miyagi Hasani Ayo Chilombo was the elder brother of the famous singer Jhene Aiko, whose real name is Jhene Kiko Efuru Chilombo. He was born on July 7, 1986, the son of Karamo Chilombo and Christina Yamamoto. Before his death, he was working as a media personality.

Aside from Jhene, he has other siblings namely, Jahi Tadashi Jelan Chilombo, Miyoko, Jamila (aka Mila J), and Jhene Aiko. They were raised in a musically-inclined family. Two of her sisters, Miyoko and Jamila, arose in the ‘90s as members of Gryl while Jhene was signed to major-label Epic in the 2000s.

What Happened To Jhene’s Brother, Miyagi?

Miyagi was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in 2010, passing away just two years later. He passed away on July 19, 2012, at the age of 26. His sister Jhene’s career was on the rise around the time of his death, with the release of her Lil Wayne and Big Sean collaboration Beware.

The family was on the bottom rock by Miyagi’s passing, which Jhene had to deal with in the public eye. In an interview, she said, “I was in limbo. On one hand, I got to do so many things. But on the other, my brother, who I was the closest person to, wasn’t there to experience it with me. He would’ve been on tour with me. He probably would’ve been DJing my sets. Mentally, I was lost.”

Miyagi was the one who introduced Jhene to new artists, books, and new ways of thinking. According to Jhene’s website, when her brother learned about the brain tumor he turned to Buddhism. He fought cancer for two years and was “always in good spirits. While she sought to distance herself from anything connected to her brother’s death, she found a way to ease the grief – and it was through writing.

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What Was Jhene’s Tribute For Her Late Brother?

The artist opened up about surviving the pain after her brother’s death, detailing that writing has been her therapy for depression. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, she said, “For me, writing has always been my way of expressing myself and not feeling judged, just getting through difficult times…I feel like when anyone holds anything in, that creates stress and pain disables you.”

Speaking on how her grief disabled her after the loss of her brother, Jhene revealed, “I definitely have been in really dark moments. I’m an emotional person and very, very sensitive. Sometimes it feels like I can’t even go outside because I’ll literally feel every passing person’s emotions or [I’ll watch] the news [and] I’ll be like, ‘Ok, s***. I’ll really feel it to the point where I feel like I can’t move. And that’s why I write. That’s why I make music. I try to turn it into art.”

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The death of her brother Miyagi had inspired her to pen a tribute song titled, For My Brother. The songstress initially didn’t plan to release the track publicly, but following his demise, she felt that many people could identify with the words in the lyrics, consequently resulting in a public release.

The songstress, who got a huge tattoo of her ex-partner Sean, posts about Miyagi annually, on his birthday. In one of her posts, she shared a photo of him along with a caption, “it never gets easier, tbh 8 years without and it sucks!! As much as I cry missing you, I smile and laugh too…cuz thats what you always made everyone around you. We love you and miss you. Your presence is felt all around, always…”

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