VANJESS
Contemporary R&B duo VanJess — formed by sisters Ivana and Jessica Nwokike — put a ’90s-inspired twist on their soulful sound. Raised in both Nigeria and California, the pair takes inspiration from ’90s acts like SWV, Zhané, and Brandy, further incorporating flavors from Janet Jackson, En Vogue, Jill Scott, Total, Erykah Badu, and early TLC, as well as the soulful electronic touch of Kaytranada, Azealia Banks and Soulection. In 2016, they released the downtempo “Adore” (which later received the remix treatment with Milwaukee rapper IshDARR), “Favor,” and “Don’t Be a Stranger.” Collaborations with Korean-Australian singer Leehahn (“Fall Back”) and Jamaican-American jazz artist Masego (“Touch the Floor”) helped to boost their profile that year as well. In 2017, VanJess hooked up with rapper GoldLink for the ’90s house-inspired jam “Through Enough.”