Three decades ago, the infectious R&B track “Hey Mr DJ” by American female duo Zhané took global music charts by storm, peaking at the sixth spot on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The single quickly found success across international markets too: it cracked the top 10 in Australia, Canada, and the Netherlands, and landed at number 26 on the UK Official Singles Chart. After earning gold certifications in the United States and Australia decades earlier, the track earned its latest milestone two weeks ago, when it was awarded platinum certification by music regulators in New Zealand.
In a recent candid interview with the *Jamaica Observer*, Renee Neufville — one half of Zhané, alongside bandmate Jean Morris — opened up about the unexpected decades-long success of the track, revealing that she never anticipated the song would resonate with millions of listeners around the world. “I didn’t know that I was writing a hit record. It took me literally 30 minutes to write that song,” shared Neufville, who was born in Brooklyn, New York to Jamaican immigrant parents. “However, it is one of a few hit records that God has blessed me to create. So I have to give the honour and the glory to Him.”
Neufville explained that even after finishing the writing and recording process, she only trusted her own artistic judgment, with no way of knowing the track would connect with mainstream audiences. “When I completed the record I just knew it was right to me. One cannot assume that that would resonate to others; I tried my best to trust my own taste and judgement. I didn’t know that it was going to be a hit,” she said. She also recalled the surreal first moment she heard the song playing on major U.S. radio, calling it a milestone she still cherishes to this day. “All I could think about was how big God can be. Here is something that you take for granted — your singing voice. I knew we were embarking on something bigger than ourselves. The music itself was considered feel-good music. That was a very powerful moment, one that I never took for granted to this day.”
Produced by Kay-Gee, then an in-house producer for iconic rap group Naughty By Nature, “Hey Mr DJ” was recorded in a simple basement home studio. The track’s iconic beat draws from a sample of Michael Wycoff’s early 1980s track “Looking Up to You”: Neufville recalls that as soon as Kay-Gee played the 8-bar loop from a cassette tape, the melody came to her instantly. Beyond its own success, the track has had a lasting impact on pop and R&B, directly inspiring hits including Rihanna’s breakout debut single “Pon De Replay”, as well as tracks from Madonna and Missy Elliott. “It has been a cultural staple in our music,” Neufville noted, adding that at the time of recording, she was a student at Philadelphia’s Temple University working a part-time job to make ends meet.
Zhané released two full-length studio albums during their time together. Their 1994 debut *pronounced Jah-Nay*, released under Motown Records, went platinum and spawned a string of additional hit singles including “Groove Thang”, “Vibe”, “You’re Sorry Now” and “Sending My Love”. Their 1997 follow-up *Saturday Night* also produced fan-favorite hits “Request Line” and “Crush”. After the duo disbanded to pursue individual projects, Morris launched a new musical project with her husband called The Baylor Project in the early 2000s, which has earned the pair multiple Grammy Award nominations.
For her part, Neufville spent years touring and recording with jazz legend Roy Hargrove’s Collective RH Factor. Today, she prioritizes time with family, caring for her 87-year-old father Albert, a former Jamaican teacher who retired to the U.S. Neufville’s mother Joyce, a former registered nurse at Kingston Public Hospital, passed away several years ago. Her family has deep roots across Jamaica: her parents moved to Brooklyn in the 1960s after marrying, her older brothers were born in Jamaica, the family once owned a home in the Kingston neighborhood of Mona, and she still has extended family spread across the island. Notable Jamaican cultural figures count among her relatives: 1960s ska star Millie Small was married to her mother’s uncle, and retired champion sprinter Marilyn Neufville is her father’s cousin.
In recent years, Neufville has earned new recognition for her trailblazing contribution to Black American music. Last year, she was inducted into the National Museum of African American Music, honored for her work shaping African American cultural expression as a songwriter. She also recently contributed expert commentary to the documentary about iconic Jamaican dancehall artist Sister Nancy, *Bam Bam*. Neufville performed on a bill with Sister Nancy last December and says the legend is still as captivating as ever. “Sister Nancy and I shared a bill in December last year and she’s still got it. She’s finally reaping the benefits. She truly is a legend,” she said.
Now, 33 years after “Hey Mr DJ” took the world by storm, Neufville is gearing up to release new music. She has finished mixing a brand-new track titled “I Am”, an affirmative anthem crafted for modern audiences, and is preparing to release her eighth EP, also named *I Am*, later this year. “I have completed mixing a new song written for the people for times such as these. It’s called I Am. It’s a song about affirmation and it’s coming soon. I am looking forward to putting out more new music this year,” she shared.