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Most people discover Jahi Chilombo by searching for his famous sister. But his story goes far beyond being a celebrity sibling. He started performing on camera as a child, built a DJ career under his own name, and founded an independent record label in one of the most competitive music cities in the world. Here is everything you need to know about Jahi Chilombo in 2026.
Quick facts: Jahi Chilombo
| Field | Details |
| Full name | Jahi Tadashi-Jelan Chilombo |
| Stage name | DJ LA (Lit Always) |
| Date of birth | July 3, 1984 |
| Age (2026) | 41 years old |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Multiracial (Japanese, Spanish, Dominican, African-American, Native American, German-Jewish) |
| Parents | Dr. Karamo Chilombo and Christina Yamamoto |
| Siblings | Miyoko, Mila J, Miyagi (deceased), Jhené Aiko |
| Children | Two sons |
| Profession | DJ, entrepreneur, label founder |
| Label | EBF Inc/Records (CEO and founder) |
| Other role | Luxury ambassador |
| @hoodstar_ar | |
| Estimated net worth | Low-to-mid six figures |
Early life and family background
Jahi Chilombo was born on July 3, 1984, in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in South Los Angeles in a neighborhood his younger sister Jhené Aiko has referred to as “Slauson Hills.” It was a community where creativity was part of everyday life.
His father, Dr. Karamo Chilombo, is a pediatrician who also performs music under the name Dr. Chill. His mother, Christina Yamamoto, worked as an art teacher. Together, they raised their children in a home that treated music and creative expression as something completely normal.
The family’s ethnic background is one of the most diverse you will find. Their roots include Japanese, Spanish, Dominican, African-American, Native American, and German-Jewish heritage. This mix shaped the family’s identity and the cultural richness that runs through their music.
Growing up in the Chilombo household
What made the Chilombo home different from most was how deeply music was built into daily life. Dr. Karamo actually built a recording studio in the family garage. The siblings did not just listen to music as children. They made it.
- Miyoko, the eldest, became a performer and costume designer
- Mila J built a solo R&B and hip-hop career in the 2010s
- Jahi took the path of DJ and label building
- Miyagi, the second-oldest brother, developed a deep love for music before passing away in 2012 after battling brain cancer
- Jhené Aiko, the youngest, became one of the most streamed R&B artists of her generation
The family’s openness to artistic risk gave each sibling the confidence to build their own lane. Jahi’s path was not the most obvious one, but it was entirely his own.
His Kidsongs years
Jahi is known to have appeared in the Kidsongs Christmas music video series, an experience he shared with some of his siblings. Kidsongs was a popular children’s video franchise that began in the 1980s and reached families across America through home video.
For Jahi, appearing in those productions as a child was more than just fun. It was his first real experience with cameras, performance, and the entertainment world. His older sister Miyoko was also a regular Kidsongs performer, which means the two of them were performing together before either had a professional career.
That early exposure stayed with him. It gave him a comfort on stage and in front of audiences that he would later use in his work as a DJ.
The making of DJ LA
As Jahi got older, he stepped away from child performance and started building something more personal. Rather than following his sisters into singing, he moved toward the DJ scene in Los Angeles. This led to the creation of his stage identity, DJ LA.
The name is simple and direct. “LA” stands for “Lit Always,” reflecting the energy he brings to every performance. His sets draw from hip-hop, R&B, and the sounds of South Los Angeles. He performs at events and private gatherings across the city, and his reputation has grown steadily through live shows.
Beyond performing, Jahi also works as a luxury ambassador, a role that connects his personal brand to premium lifestyle events and partnerships. It is a different side of the entertainment world, one that blends music culture with high-end brand engagement.
Read more: Who is Radha Delamarter? The actress who made a Western icon and built a quiet life after Hollywood
EBF Inc/Records: building a label from scratch
Beyond his work behind the decks, Jahi has made one of his most significant professional moves as the founder and CEO of EBF Inc/Records, an independent music label based in Los Angeles.
Running an independent label in 2026 is not easy. The major labels still control most distribution and marketing power. But independent labels fill a real and growing space in the industry. They offer more creative freedom and direct artist development without the constraints of corporate deals.
Through EBF Inc/Records, Jahi has released music, supported collaborative projects, and built a foundation for long-term work in the industry. Tracks connected to the label include “FXCK YOU” and “TO THA GAME,” which show the gritty, authentic sound he gravitates toward.
He is not simply riding on his family’s name. EBF Inc/Records is his personal statement that he is in the music business to build, not just to perform.
His family and personal life
Jahi Chilombo is a father. He has two sons, though he keeps details about their mother and upbringing private. He rarely discusses his romantic life publicly, and no partner has been confirmed in public record.
His connection to his siblings remains strong. He and Jhené Aiko grew up side by side in the same creative household, appeared in the same children’s video series, and both carry the Chilombo name into their adult careers. When Jhené has spoken publicly about growing up, the image that comes across is one of a close family that leaned on each other.
The death of their brother Miyagi in July 2012 affected the entire family deeply. Miyagi was 26 years old when he died from an inoperable brain tumor. He had been diagnosed two years earlier. Jhené Aiko wrote a tribute song for him called “For My Brother,” and the family has continued to honor his memory through the W.A.Y.S. Foundation, which helps families dealing with cancer and serious illness.
Through that grief, the Chilombo siblings found a way to stay connected. Jahi’s relationship with Jhené and with the rest of his family is one of the constants in his otherwise private life.
What Jahi’s career tells us about the Chilombo family
The Chilombo family story is easy to reduce to Jhené Aiko’s success. She has Grammy nominations, platinum records, and a global fanbase. But Jahi’s path shows something that gets missed in that framing.
Every one of the Chilombo siblings took a different route. Miyoko moved into costume design. Mila J released her own music independently. Jhené became a mainstream R&B name. And Jahi built an infrastructure around music rather than becoming the face of it. He chose to run the entertainment industry from the inside, creating the systems and spaces that allow music to exist rather than just making it himself.
That choice reflects a real understanding of how the business works. It takes more than talent to sustain a career in music. It takes structure, strategy, and the willingness to do the work that does not get press coverage. Jahi has been doing that work quietly for years.
Final thoughts
Jahi Chilombo is one of those people whose life is more interesting than the headlines suggest. Most searches lead people to him through Jhené Aiko, and that is fine. But what you find when you look closer is a man who started performing as a child, built a DJ identity rooted in energy and community, and created an independent label in one of the most competitive music markets in the country.
He has done all of that while also being a father of two and maintaining a low public profile. In a family that has seen enormous success and real heartbreak, Jahi has found his own footing. That is worth paying attention to.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Jahi Chilombo?
Jahi Chilombo is an American DJ, entrepreneur, and label founder born on July 3, 1984, in Los Angeles. He is the older brother of R&B singer Jhené Aiko and singer Mila J. He performs as DJ LA and runs his own independent music label, EBF Inc/Records.
How old is Jahi Chilombo in 2026?
He turned 41 in July 2026. He was born on July 3, 1984, in Los Angeles, California.
Does Jahi Chilombo have children?
Yes. Jahi Chilombo has two sons. He keeps their identities and his personal life private, and no further public information has been confirmed.
What does DJ LA stand for?
DJ LA is Jahi Chilombo’s stage name as a DJ. The letters stand for “Lit Always,” reflecting the high-energy approach he brings to his performances.
What is EBF Inc/Records?
EBF Inc/Records is an independent music label founded and run by Jahi Chilombo. He serves as its CEO and uses it to release music, develop collaborations, and build his long-term presence in the Los Angeles music industry.
What happened to Jahi Chilombo’s brother Miyagi?
Miyagi Hasani Ayo Chilombo, Jahi’s younger brother, was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in 2010 and passed away on July 19, 2012, at age 26. His death had a deep impact on the entire Chilombo family. Jhené Aiko wrote a tribute song called “For My Brother” in his memory.
Is Jahi Chilombo active on social media?
Yes. He posts on Instagram under the handle @hoodstar_ar, where he shares lifestyle content, music updates, and family moments. He has around 25,000 followers.
