{{short description|R&B duo from Philadelphia}} {{More citations needed|date=February 2011}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians --> | name = Zhané | image = {{multiple image|align=none| image1 = Renee Neufville w RH Factor Live in Marseille -2.jpg|width1=150|image2=Jean Baylor-1030672.jpg|width2=151}} | caption = Neufville (''left'') & Norris (''right'') | background = group_or_band | alias = | origin = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | instrument = | genre = R&B<ref name="AMBio">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/zhan%C3%A9-mn0000697391/biography?cmpredirect|title=Zhané > Biography & History > AllMusic|publisher=AllMusic|last=Bush|first=John|quote=Mellow, groove-oriented '90s R&B duo who scored a Top Ten pop hit in 1993 with "Hey Mr. DJ."}}</ref> | occupation = | years_active = 1993–1999 | label = {{hlist|Flavor Unit|Epic|Motown}} | website = | current_members = | past_members = *Renée Neufville *Jean Norris-Baylor }} '''Zhané''' ({{IPAc-en|ʒ|a:|ˈ|n|eɪ}} {{Respell|zhah|NAY}}) was an American R&B<ref name="AMBio"/> duo of Renée Neufville and Jean Norris-Baylor, best known for their 1993 hit "Hey Mr. D.J.", which reached No. 6 on the U.S. ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.song-database.com/chhist.php?sid=11956&from=spu&type=ht|title=Billboard Hot 100 Chart History: Hey Mr. DJ|publisher=Song-database.com|access-date=2013-06-29}}</ref> Other popular hits include "Groove Thang" (U.S. No. 17) and minor hit "Sending My Love", both released in 1994. The group was part of Queen Latifah's Flavor Unit collective.
==Biography==
===Beginnings=== According to Jean Norris, "We added a 'Z' for a little flavor and we came up with Zhané."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soultrain.com/2011/11/17/soul-flashback-zhane’s-jean-baylor-talks-about-life-as-a-solo-artist/ |title=Soul Flashback: Zhané's Jean Baylor Talks About Life as a Solo Artist|website=Soultrain.com|access-date=5 October 2017}}</ref>
===Breakthrough & ''Pronounced Jah-Nay''=== Given a high-profile spot on the all-star compilation ''Roll wit tha Flava''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/roll-wit-tha-flava-mw0000096440|title=Roll wit tha Flava - Various Artists - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=5 October 2017}}</ref> as their first recording opportunity, Zhané came away with one of the hip-hop party anthems of all time, "Hey, Mr. D.J." After meeting Naughty by Nature member Kay Gee, Zhané (then credited as Jhané) impressed the producer enough to go right into the studio to record for ''Roll wit tha Flava''. When "Hey, Mr. D.J." 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; it achieved platinum status two years later. 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. After the success of their debut album ''Pronounced Jah-Nay'', the duo appeared with TLC, SWV, Jade, En Vogue and others on the single "Freedom (Theme from Panther)" from the soundtrack to the 1995 Mario Van Peebles film ''Panther''.
===''Saturday Night''=== 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.
===Group dissolution and solo projects=== Since the group's dissolution, Jean Norris married musician Marcus Baylor,<ref name="1_Marcus">{{cite web|url=http://www.marcusbaylor.com/|title=The Baylor Project|website=The Baylor Project|access-date=5 October 2017}}</ref> perhaps best known as the drummer in jazz fusion ensemble, the Yellowjackets from 2000 to 2010. Jean Baylor released the solo album ''Testimony: My Life'' in 2007 and a contemporary Christmas album entitled ''Light Up the World'' in November 2011. She later formed an R&B/jazz duo with her husband named The Baylor Project and they released their debut album ''The Baylor Project (The Journey)'' in February 2017. In November 2017, the duo received two 60th Grammy Awards-nominations under Best Jazz Vocal Album and Best Traditional R&B Performance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/music/kevin-johnson/the-baylor-project-with-st-louis-marcus-baylor-earns-grammy/article_8be07b58-2402-5728-afe9-6b30a797e1f1.html|title=The Baylor Project with St. Louis' Marcus Baylor earns 2 Grammy nods|first=Kevin C.|last=Johnson|website=Stltoday.com|date=28 November 2017 }}</ref>
Neufville hosted an early live internet series called ''88 Soul'' where guests included well-known R&B/Neo-Soul artists such as Jill Scott, Carl Thomas, Kelis, and Joe. She later contributed to albums and videos by the likes of India.Arie, Will Downing, Heather Headley, Leela James and Aaliyah amongst others. She became involved in Roy Hargrove's RH Factor project and figured prominently on the 2006 release ''Distractions'' playing keyboards and contributing lead vocals.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vervemusicgroup.com/reneeneufville |title=Renee Neufville | Verve Music Group |access-date=2013-11-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202222050/http://www.vervemusicgroup.com/reneeneufville |archive-date=2013-12-02 }}</ref>
==Discography== ===Studio albums=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2"| Album details ! colspan="6"| Peak chart positions ! rowspan="2"| Certifications<br /><small>(sales thresholds)</small> |- style="font-size:smaller;" ! style="width:35px;"| US<br><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/zhane/chart-history/billboard-200|title=Zhané Chart History > Billboard 200|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2019-06-21}}{{dead link|date=December 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> ! style="width:35px;"| US<br>R&B<br><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/zhane/chart-history/r-b-hip-hop-albums|title=Zhané Chart History > Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2019-06-21}}{{dead link|date=December 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> ! style="width:35px;"| AUS<br><ref name="aus">Australian (ARIA) chart peaks: *Top 50 peaks: {{cite web|url=https://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Zhan%E9|title=australian-charts.com > Zhané in Australian Charts|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=2019-06-21}} *Top 100 peaks to December 2010: {{cite book|last=Ryan|first=Gavin|title=Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010|year=2011|publisher=Moonlight Publishing|location=Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia|edition=pdf|page=309}} *"Sending My Love", "Vibe" and "Shame": {{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/11R0bwv.gif|title=Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry, received September 12, 2016|publisher=Imgur.com|access-date=2016-12-03}}</ref> ! style="width:35px;"| CAN<br><ref name="can">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-110.01-e.php?PHPSESSID=ssh3dmkoff1c06845hamo3abr6&q1=Zhane&q2=&interval=20|title=CAN Charts > Zhané|magazine=RPM|access-date=2012-10-12}}</ref> ! style="width:35px;"| FRA<br><ref name="fra">{{cite web|url=https://lescharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Zhan%E9|title=lescharts.com > Zhané dans les Charts Français|language=fr|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=2019-06-21}}</ref> ! style="width:35px;"| UK<br><ref name="uk">{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/29241/zhane/|title=Official Charts > Zhané|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=2019-06-21}}</ref> |- || 1994 | style="text-align:left;"| '''''Pronounced Jah-Nay''''' * Released: February 15, 1994 * Label: Motown * Formats: CD, cassette | 37 | 8 | 50 | 44 | — | 89 | * RIAA: Platinum<ref name="riaa">{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS&artist=%22Zhane%22|title=US Certifications > Zhané|publisher=Recording Industry Association of America|access-date=2012-10-12}}</ref> |- | 1997 | style="text-align:left;"| '''''Saturday Night''''' * Released: April 22, 1997 * Label: Motown * Formats: CD, cassette | 41 | 8 | — | 90 | 26 | 52 | |- | colspan="15" style="font-size:90%" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |}
===Singles=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! rowspan="2"| Year ! style="width:180px;" rowspan="2"| Title ! colspan="11"| Peak chart positions ! rowspan="2" scope="col" style="width:13em;" | Certifications ! rowspan="2"| Album |- style="font-size:smaller;" ! style="width:35px;"| US Hot 100<br><ref name=hot100>''Billboard'' Hot 100 peaks: *All except specified: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/zhane/chart-history/hot-100|title=Zhané Chart History > Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2019-06-21}}{{dead link|date=December 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} *"Freedom (Theme from Panther)": {{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/various-artists/chart-history/hsi/|title=Various Artists Chart History > Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2019-06-21}}</ref> ! style="width:35px;"| US<br>R&B<br><ref name=hotr&b>''Billboard'' Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs peaks: *All except specified: {{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/zhane/chart-history/r-b-hip-hop-songs|title=Zhané Chart History > Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2019-06-21}}{{dead link|date=December 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} *"Freedom (Theme from Panther): {{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/various-artists/chart-history/bsi/|title=Various Artists Chart History > Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2019-06-21}}</ref> ! style="width:35px;"| US<br>Dance<br><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/zhane/chart-history/dance-club-play-songs|title=Zhané Chart History > Dance Club Songs|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2019-06-21}}{{dead link|date=December 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> ! style="width:35px;"| AUS<br><ref name="aus"/> ! style="width:35px;"| AUT<br><ref name="aut">{{cite web|url=https://austriancharts.at/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Zhan%E9|title=austriancharts.at > Zhané in der Österreichischen Hitparade|language=de|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=2019-06-21}}</ref> ! style="width:35px;"| CAN<br><ref name="can"/> ! style="width:35px;"| FRA<br><ref name="fra"/> ! style="width:35px;"| GER<br><ref name="ger">{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/suche?artist_search=Zhane&do_search=do|title=Offizielle Deutsche Charts > Suchen nach "Zhané"|language=de|publisher=GfK Entertainment|access-date=2019-06-21}}</ref> ! style="width:35px;"| NZ<br><ref name="nz">{{cite web|url=https://charts.nz/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Zhan%E9|title=charts.nz > Zhané in New Zealand Charts|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=2019-06-21}}</ref> ! style="width:35px;"| SWI<br><ref name="swi">{{cite web|url=https://hitparade.ch/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Zhan%E9|title=hitparade.ch > Zhané in der Schweizer Hitparade|language=de|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=2019-06-21}}</ref> ! style="width:35px;"| UK<br><ref name="uk"/> |- || 1993 | style="text-align:left;"| "Hey Mr. D.J." | 6 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 27 | 2 | 32 | 29 | 20 | 42 | 26 | * RIAA: Gold<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gold & Platinum: Zhane|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=zhane&ti=HEY+MR.+D.J.&lab=&genre=&format=&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH&col=certification_date&ord=asc#search_section|website=Recording Industry Association of America}}</ref> * ARIA: Gold<ref name="ARIA">{{cite Ryan|page=309}}</ref> * RMNZ: Gold<ref>{{Cite certification|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Zhane|title=Hey Mr DJ|award=Gold|certyear=2022|source=radioscope|access-date=2 March 2025}}</ref> | style="text-align:left;" | ''Roll wit tha Flava / Pronounced Jah-Nay'' |- | rowspan="5" | 1994 | style="text-align:left;"| "Groove Thang" | 17 | 2 | 13 | 17 | — | 3 | 42 | 99 | 7 | — | 34 | | rowspan="3" |''Pronounced Jah-Nay'' |- | style="text-align:left;"| "Sending My Love" | 40 | 5 | — | 126 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |- | style="text-align:left;"| "Vibe" | 119 | 33 | — | 142 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 67 | |- | style="text-align:left;"| "Shame" | 28 | 12 | 46 | 133 | — | 79 | — | — | 50 | — | 66 | | style="text-align:left;"| ''A Low Down Dirty Shame (soundtrack)'' |- | style="text-align:left;"| "You're Sorry Now" | — | 38 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | style="text-align:left;"| ''Pronounced Jah-Nay'' |- | rowspan="3"| 1997 | style="text-align:left;"| "Request Line" | 39 | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | — | 22 | | style="text-align:left;" rowspan="3"| ''Saturday Night'' |- | style="text-align:left;"| "Saturday Night" {{ref label|Note1|A|A}} | — | 69 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |- | style="text-align:left;"| "Crush" | 106 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 44 | |- | colspan="15" style="font-size:90%" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |} ; Note {{note label|Note1|A|A}}Did not chart on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart (''Billboard'' rules at the time prevented album cuts from charting). Chart peak listed represents the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.
====Featured singles==== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |- !rowspan="2"| Year !rowspan="2"| Title !rowspan="2"| Artist ! colspan="5"| Peak chart positions ! rowspan="2"| Album |- style="font-size:smaller;" ! style="width:35px;"| US<br><ref name=hot100/> ! style="width:35px;"| US<br>R&B<br><ref name=hotr&b/> ! style="width:35px;"| AUS<br><ref name="aus"/> ! style="width:35px;"| NZ<br><ref name="nz"/> ! style="width:35px;"| UK<br><ref name="uk"/> |- | rowspan="2" |1995 |"By Your Side" | rowspan="2" |Various Artists | | | | | |''Higher Learning (soundtrack)'' |- | style="text-align:left;" | "Freedom (Theme from Panther)" | 45 | 18 | — | — | — | style="text-align:left;" | ''Panther (soundtrack)'' |- | rowspan="2"| 1996 | style="text-align:left;"| "It's a Party" | Busta Rhymes | 52 | 27 | — | 34 | 23 | style="text-align:left;"| ''The Coming'' |- |"When the Cheering Stops" |AZ, Ray Buchanan, Scott Galbraith | | | | | |''NFL Jams'' |- || 1997 | style="text-align:left;"| "4 More" | De La Soul | — | — | — | — | 52 | style="text-align:left;"| ''Stakes Is High'' |- |1998 |"Things Won't Change" |Alias LJ | | | | | |''Alias LJ'' |- || 1999 | style="text-align:left;"| "Jamboree" | Naughty by Nature | 10 | 4 | 74 | 22 | 51 | style="text-align:left;"| ''Nineteen Naughty Nine: Nature's Fury'' |- | colspan="15" style="font-size:90%" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} * [http://www.myspace.com/reneemusic Renee Neufville's MySpace page] * [http://www.myspace.com/jeanbaylor Jean Baylor's MySpace page] (formerly Jean Norris) * [http://www.jeanbaylor.com Jean Baylor Official Site] * T-Mad's Music Interviews Jean Baylor [http://www.outofprintsoulandfunk.com/interviews/jean_baylor Link 1] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080212095454/http://www.outofprintsoulandfunk.com/interviews/jean_baylor/ |date=February 12, 2008 }} [https://web.archive.org/web/20091124225215/http://www1.phillyburbs.com/musicguide/jeanbaylor.shtml Link 2] *{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p44728}}
{{Zhané}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Zhane}} Category:African-American musical duos Category:American contemporary R&B musical groups Category:American girl groups Category:Contemporary R&B duos Category:Motown artists Category:Female musical duos