Zhané

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"Zhane" redirects here. For the Power Rangers character, see Zhane (Power Rangers).
Zhané
Jean Norris-Baylor of Zhané by Simba Madziva.
Jean Norris-Baylor of Zhané by Simba Madziva.
Background information
Origin Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genre(s) R&B/Neo Soul/New Jack Swing
Years active 1993-1999
Label(s) Flavor Unit/Epic
Motown
Associated acts Queen Latifah
Former members
Renee Neufville
Jean Norris-Baylor

Zhané (pronounced Jah-Nay) was an American R&B/hip hop soul duo, best known for their 1993 hit "Hey, Mr. D.J.", which reached #6 in the U.S. Other popular hits include "Groove Thang" (U.S. #17) and minor hit "Sending My Love," both released in 1994. The group was part of Queen Latifah's Flavor Unit collective.

Given a high-profile spot on the all-star compilation Roll Wit tha Flava as their first recording opportunity, Zhané lived up to the pressure and came away with one of the hip-hop party anthems of all time, "Hey, Mr. DJ." Jean Norris and Renee Neufville initially met while both were studying music at Philadelphia's Temple University (Norris is originally from Rhode Island, Neufville from Jamaica). After meeting Naughty by Nature member Kay Gee, Zhané impressed the producer enough to go right into the studio to record for Roll Wit tha Flava. When "Hey, Mr. DJ" was released as a separate single as well, it hit number six on the pop charts and earned the group a contract with Motown in 1994. Their debut album, Pronounced Jah-Nay, produced two further Top 40 hits ("Groove Thang," "Sending My Love") and went gold by the end of the year. Zhané kept busy during 1995-1996 with spots on tracks by Busta Rhymes and De La Soul as well as new songs of their own on the NFL Jams and NBA 50th Anniversary compilations and the soundtracks to Higher Learning and A Low Down Dirty Shame -- the latter, "Shame," became their fourth Top 40 hit.

Norris and Neufville released the follow up album Saturday Night in 1997, co-produced by Kay Gee, Eddie F., and themselves. The release featured the hit single "Request Line." A remix with different lyrics and raps by Queen Latifah followed. It peaked just outside the Top 40.

[edit] Singles

Year Title Album US UK
1993 "Hey Mr. D.J." Pronounced Jah-Nay 6 26
1994 "Groove Thang" 17 34
"Sending My Love" 5 -
"Vibe" 13 67
"Freedom (Theme from Panther)" Panther soundtrack 18 -
"Shame" A Low Down Dirty Shame soundtrack 12 66
1995 "You're Sorry Now" Pronounced Jah-Nay 38 -
1996 "It's a Party" (Busta Rhymes featuring Zhané) The Coming by Busta Rhymes 27 23
1997 "4 More" (De La Soul featuring Zhané) Stakes Is High by De La Soul - 52
"Request Line" Saturday Night 9 22
"Saturday Night" (Airplay only single) 69 -
"Crush" 24 44
1999 "Jamboree" Featuring Naughty By Nature 19 Naughty Nine: Nature's Fury by Naughty By Nature 4 51

[edit] Awards & nominations

Year Award
1993 Billboard Music Award Won for Top Hot Dance Music Maxi-Single Sales for "Hey Mr. D.J."
1993 Billboard Music Award nomination for Top Hot Dance Music Maxi-Singles Sales Artist
1994 Billboard Music Award Won for Top New R&B Artist.
1994 Billboard Music Award nomination for Top R&B Artists - Duos/Group
1994 Billboard Music Award nomination for Top R&B Singles Artists - Duos/Group

[edit] External links

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