VanJess: The Smooth R&B Duo Reviving Neo-Soul

VanJess is the Nigerian-American R&B sister duo composed of Ivana and Jessica Nwokike. Hailing from Los Angeles, California, the pair gained significant attention with their 2018 debut album Silk Canvas, which established their signature blend of 90s and 2000s R&B with modern production.

Early career

Born in Louisiana and raised between Nigeria and the United States, Ivana and Jessica began posting cover songs on YouTube in the late 2000s. Their harmonious vocals and soulful interpretations caught the ear of producers, leading to their first official single, Hurry Up, in 2012. They continued to build an online following with independent EPs before signing with the independent label Keep Cool, a partnership between RCA Records and producer-songwriter Tunji Balogun.

Breakthrough

The duo's breakthrough arrived in 2018 with the release of their debut album, Silk Canvas. The project, featuring the singles Touch the Floor and Cool Off the Rain, was praised for its smooth, nostalgic sound and solidified their place in the contemporary R&B scene. While not a major chart hit, the album's critical success led to wider recognition and high-profile collaborations.

Key tracks

Cool Off the Rain — This standout single from Silk Canvas exemplifies their ability to craft atmospheric, slow-burning R&B jams.

Touch the Floor — A funk-infused track that became a fan favorite and showcased their more uptempo, danceable side.

Caught Up featuring Phony Ppl — This collaboration highlighted their synergy with other innovative acts in the alternative R&B space.

DYSFUNCTIONAL with Kaytranada — A key later-career single that paired their vocals with the producer's distinct electronic beats.

Come Over — A sultry and confident track from their 2021 EP Homegrown that marked a new chapter in their artistic development.

Following their debut, VanJess released the 2021 EP Homegrown, which included production from Kaytranada and Machinedrum. They have collaborated with a range of artists including Masego, Leikeli47, and Devin Morrison, further cementing their reputation as versatile vocalists within the modern R&B and neo-soul landscape. Their music often samples and references classic R&B, creating a bridge between eras for their listeners.

Fans of VanJess often appreciate the work of similar artists in the R&B realm. Snoh Aalegra shares a similar depth of emotive, vintage-inspired R&B storytelling. Kiana Ledé operates in the same space of smooth, vocal-forward contemporary R&B. UMI blends soulful melodies with introspective lyrics in a comparable style. Alex Isley continues the legacy of nuanced, jazz-inflected neo-soul that influences VanJess's sound.

The smooth R&B and neo-soul catalog of VanJess is a perfect fit for the playlists of modern soul radio stations and online R&B streams. Their music frequently appears in rotations dedicated to contemporary alternative R&B, providing a nostalgic yet fresh sound for listeners seeking quality vocal harmonies and sophisticated production.

You can discover the music of VanJess by tuning into the R&B and soul radio stations featured right here on onairium.com. Listen to their hits and deep cuts broadcast on independent music radio stations available through our platform.