NENE & Sonikem Drop Dreamy New EP “Velvet Nights” — A Neo-Soul Bridge Between Osaka and Paris

Japan’s Neo-Soul scene has a new queen, and her name is NENE. The Osaka-born singer first made waves in 2021 with her self-produced EP Room25, a raw and soulful project that introduced her emotional depth and velvet-smooth vocals. Fast forward to 2024, and her follow-up Drown in My Karma cemented her as a force to watch — moody, introspective, and deeply real.

Now, NENE is setting her sights beyond Japan with a new collaboration that’s got global energy written all over it. Teaming up with French beat-maker and cultural connector Sonikem, the pair have released a lush new project titled “Velvet Nights.”

Dropped on May 16, 2025, through Fines-Lames Productions, the EP is a sleek blend of smoky R&B, lo-fi textures, and late-night soul. It feels intimate yet universal — the kind of music that plays perfectly in headphones at 2AM. Sonikem’s minimalist grooves give NENE the space to shine, and her voice? Pure silk with a sting.

This project doesn’t just sound good — it means something. It’s part of a new wave of cross-cultural collaborations between Japanese artists and global producers. And NENE is at the front, bringing Osaka flavor to international stages.

Her first-ever live performance in France is already locked in. She’s set to perform at Matsuri Paris on June 14, and fans of new-school R&B are in for a treat.

If you’re into J-R&B, Neo-Soul, or just looking for that next global voice before everyone else catches on — NENE’s Velvet Nights is essential listening.

Stream it now. Stay tuned. She’s just getting started.