Outside of a spectacle at an awards show, it's quite rare to see artists of the newer generation honestly and earnestly pay tribute to those that came before them. Singer/songwriter Jhené Aiko is an exception to this rule. She's always one to big up her influences, including a recent photographic tribute to the late Tupac Shakur, and now she's paying tribute to another one of her idols: Bill Withers.
Jhené took to her YouTube channel with a medley of two of Withers' biggest hits, "Ain't No Sunshine" and "Lovely Day." Backed by only a guitar, she adds her laid-back vibe to the two classics, giving them a new feel while keeping Withers' sentiments intact. Of the tribute, Jhené said, "This month, for his 76th birthday (July 4), TOCK and I want to pay homage to Bill Withers. Bill Withers' music has been blessing my ears since I was a baby. I didn’t know it then and not until recently did I understand that this man is responsible for some of the most beautiful, relatable, heart felt songs ever written. Bill is not only a genius songwriter, but he is an amazing singer and musician."
With so many of our greats getting up in age and some of them even leaving us, it's nice to see an artist giving flowers to a legend while he can still enjoy them. Take a look at the heartfelt tribute below.
