VanJess

History

The sisters are first-generation Nigerian immigrants of Igbo origin, both born in the United States. According to Jessica, they spent about eight or nine years of their childhood in Nigeria before moving to La Palma, California with their mother at ages 10 and 8, respectively; they later moved to Cerritos. They attended a performing arts elementary school and performed as a duo in talent shows during middle and high school. They appeared on VH1's The Linda Perry Project.

Their debut album Silk Canvas, consisting of original material, was self-released in 2018 and included five singles: "Adore," "Touch the Floor," "Through Enough," "Addicted," "Easy," and "Control Me"; it featured collaborations with Masego, GoldLink, Little Simz, Leikeli47, and Berhana. The EP Homegrown was released on February 5, 2021, with collaborations including Kaytranada, Phony Ppl, Jimi Tents, Garren, and Devin Morrison. The duo listed Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Xscape, TLC, and SWV as their biggest musical influences, and in a 2021 interview with Buzzfeed, they added Brandy, Toni Braxton, and Whitney Houston.

On March 16, 2023, Jessica announced that Ivana had stepped away from VanJess eight months earlier and that she would continue making music on her own.