The Pressure

Album: Souled Out (2014)
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Songfacts®:

  • This song about relationship problems was inspired by the pressure Aiko felt to complete her debut album.
  • The song's music video was directed by Aiko's pal, actor and rapper Childish Gambino. The pair have collaborated a few times in the past on tracks like "Bed Peace" and "Pink Toes."

    The video reflects some of the pressures the singer faces in the public eye, as well as a single mom (there is a cameo from her real daughter, Namiko tugging on her hair while she tries to write a song). "I knew that I wanted it to be simplistic, and I knew that I wanted it to be different; that's all I knew," Aiko told MTV News. "For the most part, I gave him (Gambino) creative control."

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