Dr. Karamo Chilombo, born Gregory Wycliff Barnes on December 1, 1944, is an 80-year-old American pediatrician and musician known as “Dr. Chill.” He’s the father of Grammy-nominated singer Jhene Aiko and rapper Mila J, with over 50 years of medical experience at Los Angeles Community Hospital.
Dr. Karamo Chilombo represents a rare combination of medical expertise and artistic passion. While most people know him as the father of singers Jhene Aiko and Mila J, his own story reveals a dedicated physician who has spent five decades caring for children while pursuing his love for music. His journey from Gregory Wycliff Barnes to Dr. Chill shows how one person can bridge two completely different worlds.
From Gregory Barnes to Dr. Karamo Chilombo
Dr. Chilombo was born Gregory Wycliff Barnes in Bakersfield, California, in 1944. At age 20, he made the bold decision to change his name to Karamo Chilombo. This wasn’t just a random choice. The name “Chilombo” comes from an African language and means “wild beast” or “monster.” His daughter Jhene explained this when she released her 2020 album titled “Chilombo,” saying she resonated with the name’s meaning as she entered womanhood.
The name change reflected Dr. Chilombo’s desire to connect with his African heritage. His father was African American with German Jewish ancestry, while his mother had Spanish, Japanese, and Dominican roots. This diverse background shaped his worldview and influenced both his medical practice and musical expression.
Medical Career: Five Decades of Pediatric Care
What medical training did Dr. Karamo Chilombo complete?
Dr. Chilombo earned his medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine in 1974. He then completed additional training at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio, graduating in 1978. This dual education from two respected institutions gave him a strong foundation in medicine.
After receiving his medical license in 1978, he specialized in pediatrics and family medicine. He completed residencies at Charles R. Drew University and The MetroHealth System/Case Western Reserve University between 1974 and 1976.
Where does Dr. Karamo Chilombo practice medicine?
For over 50 years, Dr. Chilombo has worked as a family medicine physician in Los Angeles, California. He currently practices at Los Angeles Community Hospital and maintains an affiliation with Monterey Park Hospital. His specialization in pediatrics enables him to treat infants, children, and adolescents, addressing their unique medical needs.
His approach to healthcare goes beyond traditional treatment. He views health through a complete lens, considering physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. This perspective has earned him respect among families who value a doctor who sees their children as whole people, not just patients with symptoms.
The Singing Doctor: Musical Journey as Dr. Chill
How did Dr. Karamo Chilombo become a musician?
While building his medical career, Dr. Chilombo never abandoned his passion for music. He performs under the stage name “Dr. Chill” or “Dr. Chill Beams OG.” His music blends soul, spoken word, and spiritual messages, often focusing on themes of healing, self-awareness, and love.
You can find his songs on YouTube, Spotify, and Deezer. His popular tracks include “I Am Not Afraid,” “Wish Our Love,” and “The Sounds of Mother Africa.” The latter celebrates his African heritage and reflects his deep connection to the continent’s culture.
Has Dr. Karamo Chilombo collaborated with his children?
Yes, Dr. Chilombo has collaborated with his daughter, Jhene Aiko, on several songs. Their collaborations include “Surrender,” “Oblivion,” and “Psilocybin.” These projects show the strong creative bond between father and daughter. He also supports his children’s careers through social media, regularly promoting their music and appearing in their videos.
Family Life: Nine Children and Counting
| Child Name | Birth Year | Profession | Notable Facts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miyoko Chilombo | 1981 | Actress | Starred in the Kidsongs series |
| Mila J | 1983 | Singer/Rapper | Signed to Universal Motown |
| Jahi Chilombo | 1984 | DJ/CEO | Founder of EBF INC/Records |
| Miyagi Chilombo | 1986-2012 | N/A | Died from cancer complications |
| Jhene Aiko | 1988 | Singer/Songwriter | Grammy-nominated artist |
| Marcia Chilombo | Unknown | Unknown | Limited public information |
| Dio Chilombo | Unknown | Unknown | Limited public information |
| Kareena Chilombo | 2008 | Unknown | Serves in the Navy |
| JahSeh-Miyagi | 2022 | N/A | Born when Dr. Chilombo was 78 |
Who was Dr. Karamo Chilombo married to?
Dr. Chilombo married Christina Yamamoto in 1980. They met in 1979 when she was 21 years old. Christina is Japanese American; her father, Tadashi Yamamoto, was born in Hawaii but moved to California during World War II.
Their marriage lasted 20 years, from 1980 to 2000. During this time, they had five children together: Miyoko, Mila J, Jahi, Miyagi, and Jhene Aiko. The couple kept their relationship private, rarely sharing details about their marriage with the public.
How many children does Dr. Karamo Chilombo have?
Dr. Chilombo is the father of nine children. Five were born during his marriage to Christina Yamamoto. After their divorce in 2000, he had four more children with at least one other partner, though details about these relationships remain private.
In December 2022, at age 78, Dr. Chilombo welcomed his ninth child, a son named JahSeh-Miyagi. The name honors his late son Miyagi, who died from cancer in 2012 at age 26. His daughter Jhene gave birth to her second child just one month before her father’s ninth child arrived.
The Chilombo Children: A Family of Artists
Who is Jhene Aiko?
Jhene Aiko Efuru Chilombo, born in 1988, is Dr. Chilombo’s most famous child. She’s a Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter who creates R&B and neo-soul music. Her career began when she worked alongside B2K’s Lil Fizz in the early 2000s.
She has one daughter, Namiko Love Browner, born in 2008 with singer O’Ryan. In November 2022, she welcomed her second child, Noah Hasani, with rapper Big Sean. Her music often reflects the spiritual and healing themes her father emphasizes, showing his influence on her artistic vision.
What do Dr. Karamo Chilombo’s other children do?
Mila J, born Jamila Akiko Aba Chilombo in 1983, followed her sister into music. She’s a rapper and songwriter signed to Universal Motown, with hit songs like “Kicking Back” and “Good Lookin’ Out.”
Miyoko Aminah Khalil Chilombo, the eldest, pursued acting. She appeared in the “Kidsongs” series in the early 1990s, including “Very Silly Songs” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
Jahi Chilombo works as a DJ and is the CEO and founder of EBF INC/Records Luxury Ambassador. He maintains connections with major artists like Snoop Dogg and supports the entertainment industry from behind the scenes.
Kareena Chilombo chose a different path, serving in the United States Navy.
Cultural Identity and Personal Style
What is Dr. Karamo Chilombo’s ethnic background?
Dr. Chilombo comes from a rich multicultural background. His father was African American with German Jewish heritage. His mother brought Spanish, Japanese, and Dominican ancestry to the family. This diverse heritage has influenced his worldview and approach to both medicine and music.
He frequently discusses African culture on his social media platforms. His love for African identity is evident in his music, his name choice, and his public statements. He participated in the Black Lives Matter movement following George Floyd’s death in 2020, showing his commitment to social justice issues affecting the Black community.
How does Dr. Karamo Chilombo express his personal style?
At 80 years old, Dr. Chilombo has become known as a style icon. He’s passionate about fashion, particularly Rasta colors and blue attire. His bold clothing choices reflect his vibrant personality and creative spirit. His fashion sense is so distinctive that people sometimes mistake him for being Jamaican based on his love for Rasta-inspired clothing.
His style extends beyond clothing. He maintains an active social media presence where he shares inspirational posts, promotes his children’s work, and connects with fans. His online persona as “OG Dr. Chill” shows how he’s embraced modern platforms to share his message of love, healing, and self-expression.
Professional Achievements and Net Worth
How much is Dr. Karamo Chilombo worth?
Dr. Chilombo’s estimated net worth is approximately $150,000. This figure reflects his long career as a pediatrician in Los Angeles, where he has served countless families over five decades. While he’s not wealthy by celebrity standards, his success is measured more by the lives he’s touched than by financial accumulation.
His income comes from two sources: his medical practice and his music career. As a family medicine physician with over 50 years of experience, he’s built a stable career. His music, while not commercially mainstream, adds to his income through streaming platforms and occasional collaborations.
What recognition has Dr. Karamo Chilombo received?
Dr. Chilombo’s greatest recognition comes from the families he’s served in Los Angeles. Patient reviews give him a 4 out of 5 rating for the likelihood of recommending him to family and friends. This high rating after 50 years in practice speaks to his dedication and skill as a pediatrician.
His children’s success also reflects his influence. Both Jhene Aiko and Mila J credit their father for supporting their artistic pursuits while instilling strong values. His ability to balance a demanding medical career with creative expression has inspired his children to pursue their passions fearlessly.
Life Philosophy and Spiritual Beliefs
What are Dr. Karamo Chilombo’s core beliefs?
Dr. Chilombo believes in the connection between mind, body, and soul. This belief shapes both his medical practice and his music. He sees healing as more than treating physical symptoms; it requires addressing emotional and spiritual needs, too.
His spiritual perspective draws from multiple traditions, reflecting his multicultural background. He explores themes of self-discovery, cultural identity, and inner peace through his music and poetry. This approach has influenced his children, especially Jhene Aiko, whose music often deals with meditation, healing, and spiritual growth.
He also believes in the power of love and self-expression. His decision to change his name at 20 years old shows his commitment to living authentically. By choosing a name that means “wild beast,” he embraced the idea of being powerful, confident, and true to himself.
Current Life: A New Chapter at 80
Is Dr. Karamo Chilombo still practicing medicine?
At 80 years old, Dr. Chilombo continues to accept new patients at his Los Angeles practice. His longevity in the field demonstrates his passion for medicine and his commitment to serving families. Few doctors maintain active practices past age 75, making his continued work remarkable.
His experience gives him a unique perspective on healthcare. He’s witnessed tremendous changes in pediatric medicine over five decades, from new vaccines to advances in treating childhood diseases. This depth of knowledge makes him a valuable resource for families seeking a doctor with both wisdom and current medical knowledge.
How has Dr. Karamo Chilombo’s family grown recently?
The birth of his ninth child in December 2022 marked a new chapter in Dr. Chilombo’s life. Named JahSeh-Miyagi in honor of his late son, this child represents both joy and remembrance. Becoming a father at 78 shows his continued embrace of life’s surprises.
His role as a grandfather also brings him joy. His granddaughter Namiko Love Browner, Jhene Aiko’s first child, is now a teenager. In November 2022, Jhene gave him another grandson, Noah Hasani. These relationships allow him to pass down his values to a new generation.
Legacy: More Than a Celebrity Parent
Dr. Karamo Chilombo’s story goes far beyond being Jhene Aiko’s father. His life represents the possibility of pursuing multiple passions without compromise. He proves that a person can be both a respected medical professional and a creative artist.
His five decades as a pediatrician have impacted countless children in Los Angeles. The families he’s served remember him not just for his medical skill but for his warmth and holistic approach to care. His willingness to consider emotional and spiritual factors alongside physical symptoms set him apart from conventional doctors.
His musical career, while less commercially successful than his daughters’, shows his commitment to creative expression. As Dr. Chill, he’s created a body of work that reflects his values and cultural identity. His collaborations with Jhene Aiko demonstrate the creative bond between them.
His influence on his children’s success cannot be overstated. He created an environment where artistic expression was encouraged alongside education and hard work. Four of his children pursued careers in entertainment, and each has found success in their chosen field.
His decision to embrace fatherhood at 78 shows his belief that life offers opportunities at any age. Rather than slowing down, he continues to work, create music, and raise his youngest child with the same energy that defined his earlier years.
Dr. Karamo Chilombo’s legacy is one of authenticity, dedication, and love. He changed his name to reflect his identity. He spent 50 years healing children. He created music that speaks to spiritual truths. He raised nine children who carry his values forward. His life proves that success means living true to yourself, serving others, and never stopping your growth.
