GRAMMY-nominated artist Johnny Venus, best known as one half of the acclaimed duo EARTHGANG, continues his journey into a bold new musical chapter with the release of “I Want You Back,” the first single from his forthcoming debut solo album, set to arrive later this year. Out now via Sincethe80s and Epic Records, the track is available on major streaming platforms, with listeners able to connect through his official music hub at https://johnnyvenus.lnk.to/IWantYouBackSingle. The official visualizer is also now live at https://johnnyvenus.lnk.to/IWantYouBackViz.
This new release gives fans a compelling first look into the deeply personal body of work Johnny has been building as he steps forward on his own. Produced by GRAMMY-nominated producer Dominique Sanders, “I Want You Back” also features songwriting by GRAMMY-nominated Baby Tate and GRAMMY Award-winning songwriter and producer The-Dream, with mixing by GRAMMY Award-winning engineer Neal Pogue. On the record, Johnny leans into vulnerability, emotional honesty, and heartfelt storytelling, exploring themes of love, reflection, healing, and growth through a rich blend of soul, R&B, funk, and alternative textures. This new sonic direction highlights an artist who is not afraid to evolve while staying rooted in authenticity.
The single is brought to life with a stunning visualizer directed by TJ Sawyer and Salomé Gomise-Trezise, adding cinematic depth to the song’s emotional message. Available for viewers at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USMkdKEmmxg, the visual traces the arc of a romance between Johnny and a past lover, beginning with the promise of connection, rising into intimacy, fracturing under emotional truth, and dissolving into solitude. Rather than portraying love as a straight path, the visualizer captures how emotions often move in circles, revisiting memory, longing, and release.
“I Want You Back” arrives as Johnny builds toward the release of his highly anticipated debut solo album in 2026, following the August 2025 release of his solo EP Shooter. The new single signals an even more intimate and refined chapter in his artistry, positioning him as one of the most thoughtful and dynamic voices working today. His solo work continues to reveal a more personal and spiritually grounded side of his artistry, one that expands beyond the innovative sound that first introduced many listeners to him through EARTHGANG. Information on his current catalog is also reflected on his Spotify artist page at https://open.spotify.com/artist/4Y9QKWtGSeL2NnVokmWAvz.
Born Olu Fann and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Johnny Venus is not only a GRAMMY-nominated artist and songwriter, but also an author and creative visionary. His upbringing in a communal, church-based schooling environment helped shape his creativity and his sense of collective responsibility, laying the foundation for EARTHGANG’s boundary-pushing vision. Beyond music, Johnny is also deeply committed to wellness and mindfulness through his yoga and lifestyle practice, COMPXSS, which supports his personal growth and global connection with others through intentional living.
His debut solo album, expected this year, is described as a deeply personal exploration of love in all its forms — self-love, romantic love, family love, and community love. As he prepares to release more music and step onto stages around the world in the coming months, 2026 is shaping up to be a defining year for Johnny Venus.
Buy / Watch / Stream Other Johnny Venus Tracks
- “Shooter”
- “Don’t Let Go”
- “So Beautiful” ft. 6LACK
- Spotify artist page: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4Y9QKWtGSeL2NnVokmWAvz
Keep Up With Johnny Venus
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnnyvenus/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JohnnyVenusOfficial/videos
- Official YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbkGb9cO3Eq_Uh38juWXBcg
Report Mark Winkler
