AMAKA Opens Up About Going Solo, Thirsting Over Pedro Pascal, & More

AMAKA Opens Up About Going Solo, Thirsting Over Pedro Pascal, & More | Close Friends

Formerly half of the R&B sister duo VanJess, AMAKA, born Jessica Nwokike, is captivating the world with her Kaytranada-produced single “cruisin’,” promising to honor the demise of VanJess by continuing on the legacy they’ve been cultivating since 2009.

Departing on her journey as a solo artist, AMAKA is reintroducing herself to the world, and in some ways, for the very first time. As she gets to know who she is as an artist in this new iteration of her career, she joined us on Close Friends to go a layer beneath the dermis, speaking on inner child healing, confronting fears, and integrating her Nigerian upbringing.

Author: Jazmin Kylene

May 3, 2023

soul

interview

R&B

amaka

close friends

How Tiny Habits Expanded Their Sound In Spellbinding Sophomore Record ‘Keepers’ [Q&A]

August 28, 2026 We chatted with Tiny Habits about taking creative control, pushing themselves to use their voices in new ways, collaborating with The 1975’s Matty Healy and evolving.

Author: Giselle Libby

interview

R&B

Pop

Singer-Songwriter

Folk

Keepers

Tiny Habits

sophomore album

iKeda Arrives With Certainty in Maximalist Sophomore EP ‘Bangs N Braces’ [Q&A]

August 28, 2026 'Bangs N Braces' is brash, genre-blending, ear candy from start to finish, cementing iKeda as one of the most exciting artists in a space that’s constantly changing and challenging pop’s boldest listeners.

Author: Giselle Libby

interview

dance

electronic pop

iKeda

Bangs N Braces

PinkPantheress

10 Questions With SUNSHINE BENZI [Q&A]

August 26, 2026 The OneToWatch of the hip-hop genre is just getting started, so we caught up with her to capture a snapshot of this moment in history with 10 questions and a portrait session in Brooklyn.

Author: Giselle Libby

interview

rap

hip hop

SUNSHINE BENZI

trump the bill