Zhané, comprising of Jean Norris and Renee Neufville, burst onto the music scene with their hit R&B track ‘Hey, Mr. DJ’ in the ’90s. The duo met during their music studies at Temple University, with Norris hailing from Rhode Island and Neufville from Brooklyn. Their debut single quickly climbed the charts, reaching number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and securing them a record deal with Motown in 1994. The success continued with their album ‘Pronounced Jah-Nay,’ which went gold by the end of the year, spawning hits like ‘Groove Thang’ and ‘Sending My Love.’ Throughout 1995-1996, Zhané collaborated with renowned artists like Busta Rhymes and De La Soul and contributed to various music compilations and soundtracks, solidifying their place in the music industry.
In April 1997, Zhané returned with ‘Saturday Night,’ co-produced by Kay Gee, Eddie F., and themselves, although it peaked just outside the Top 40. Following their split two years later, Jean Norris pursued a solo career and worked with groups like Free Day and artists such as Elisabeth Withers, Eric Roberson, and SWV. On the other hand, Renee Neufville joined Roy Hargrove’s RH Factor and collaborated with the likes of Leela James, Terrence Howard, and Pete Rock, showcasing her versatility and talent in the music realm.