Janine

Janine (formerly Janine and the Mixtape) is a New Zealand-born, US-based singer, songwriter, and producer who emerged as a significant voice in the alternative R&B movement of the early 2010s. Her sound identity is built on a foundation of self-produced, atmospheric beats that blend the rhythmic sensibilities of hip-hop with the harmonic complexity of neo-soul.

Her breakthrough came with the 'Dark Mind' EP, which established her signature aesthetic: moody, reverb-drenched soundscapes paired with lyrics that dissect the intricacies of heartbreak and self-worth. Throughout her career arc, she has maintained a high degree of creative control, often handling her own production and visual direction. Critically, she is noted for her ability to avoid the clichés of 'PBR&B' by grounding her ethereal sounds in genuine, soul-baring songwriting. Her cultural position is that of a 'musician's musician' within the R&B community, respected for her technical proficiency and her influence on the 'sad girl' aesthetic that would later dominate streaming platforms.