GRAMMY®-Nominated Johnny Venus Steps Into the Spotlight With“I Want You Back”
“Johnny Venus is stepping forward with a renewed understanding of his own creative instincts.”
—Clash
Johnny Venus is stepping out on his own, and “I Want You Back” makes a strong case for where he’s headed. Best known as one half of EARTHGANG, the GRAMMY®-nominated artist trades some of the duo’s more expansive experimentation for something intimate and emotionally direct, blending soul, R&B and funk around a relationship he isn’t quite ready to leave behind. Produced by Dominique Sanders, with songwriting contributions from Baby Tate and The-Dream, the track finds Johnny leaning into vulnerability without losing the musical personality that has always made him distinctive. There’s reflection here; the sound of someone looking back at a relationship with enough distance to understand it differently. As the first single from his forthcoming debut solo album, “I Want You Back” feels less like a departure from EARTHGANG than an opportunity to hear another side of the artist behind it.
The accompanying visualizer takes that idea even further. Directed by TJ Sawyer and Salomé Gomise-Trezise, it follows Johnny and a former love through the stages of a relationship, from the excitement of a new connection to intimacy, fracture, and, eventually, being alone again. Rather than giving the story a neat beginning and end, the visual reflects the circular nature of love and memory. That perspective also offers an early clue to the larger solo project Johnny has been building. Following his 2025 EP Shooter, “I Want You Back” moves that story forward with an artist who seems increasingly interested in letting listeners see what’s underneath the performance.
Born Olu Fann and raised in Atlanta, Johnny Venus is a GRAMMY®-nominated artist, songwriter and author best known as one half of EARTHGANG, the acclaimed duo whose adventurous approach has blurred the lines between hip-hop, soul, funk and alternative music. His upbringing in a communal, church-based educational environment helped shape both his creativity and his belief in community, ideas thatcontinue to run through his work today. In 2025, Shooter marked the beginning of his solo chapter, opening the door to music that explores his life from a more personal perspective. Outside the studio, Johnny extends that interest in growth and self-discovery through COMPXSS, his yoga and wellness practice. With “I Want You Back” leading into his debut solo album, Johnny Venus isn’t leaving behind the artist listeners already know—he’s giving them a chance to get to know him better.
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REVIEWS
“Venus’ electric falsetto underscores the emotional weight of attempting the rekindling of a love lost at any cost.”
— Newsweek
“Johnny Venus is immersed in exploring and experimenting with more R&B, soul, and funk soundscapes.”
— Newsweek
“A debut solo album shaped by questions of faith, love and the importance of making room for joy.”
— Clash
“The first full-length under his own name and, despite its deeply intimate nature, one of the most punk moves of his career.”
—Metal Magazine
“The fluidity of Venus’ vocals and intimate production makes the music feel as comfy as a warm bed after a busy day.”
—The Atlantic Journal-Constitution (AJC)
