With a career spanning decades, Anané has built a path rooted in house music, blending Afro influences with soulful vocals and a strong connection to the dancefloor. From global performances to her work with NuLu Music, her trajectory reflects both consistency and evolution.
Photo credit: Anané – Official
Now, she steps into a new phase with the release of ‘It Looks Like Love’ on Nervous Records, marking her first solo production. The single reinterprets a classic through her own lens, combining groove, live elements, and vocal expression.
In this conversation, Anané opens up about the story behind the release, her creative process, and the philosophy that continues to guide her work.
EG: Hi, Anané! Welcome to EG. It’s a pleasure to have you here with us. How have you been doing?
Anané: I’m GREAT-FULL. I’ve just come home, back in my gym, back in my discipline after an amazing Winter Music Conference and Miami Music Week. It was a beautiful reminder of why I do what I do. I had the honor of playing for Louie Vega & Friends at ZeyZey, and that was a true house music party like 20 years ago! I participated in a panel at SoHo House, presented by Nervous Records, speaking on house music today, which meant a lot to me, and being the only woman up there always drives me to inspire other women who want to be in this industry.
Beyond that, it was the moments in between… the conversations, the dinners, the dancing, and reconnecting with my industry family. Those are special moments that stay with you. So yes, I’m grateful, but more than that, I’m full. Full of inspiration, full of purpose, and ready for what’s next.
EG: First of all, congratulations on the release of your new single, ‘It Looks Like Love’. You must be thrilled to be able to share this one. What has the initial reception been like so far?
Anané: Thank you so much, I am beyond thrilled! One of the most beautiful things about being both an artist and a DJ is that I get to experience my music in real time, on the dance floor. It’s not just about creating in the studio, it’s about testing, feeling, adjusting… and witnessing how people receive it. That exchange is everything. So far, the response has been nothing short of amazing. You can feel when a record connects, when it moves people beyond just sound, into something deeper, and for that, I’m truly grateful. It’s a blessing to be able to share my work in this way.
EG: This is your first solo production to date, which signals a huge milestone for you, having been involved in the music industry for so long. What can you tell us about this particular track in terms of the inspiration behind it?
Anané: It is absolutely a milestone for me! I’m approaching thirty years in this business, and honestly, I feel like I’m just getting started; that’s the power of music. It keeps you evolving, it keeps you inspired. The moment of inspiration was actually very simple, but very real. I was in the car on the way to the airport, Louie and our son were dropping me off as I was heading to Italy for a gig. The song came on the radio, and I found myself slipping into a daydream… I could see myself performing it, feeling it, living inside it. And in that moment, I knew. I knew it could become something new, an updated version that could live on the dance floor today. Vocally, it’s everything I’m drawn to, sexy, powerful, and dreamy. That balance of strength and softness… that’s where I exist.
“I only release music that moves me… because if it moves me, it will move others”
EG: What was the recording process like? How long has this one been in the works for? Why did you select ‘It Looks Like Love’ as your first solo delivery?
Anané: The process was very organic, but also a reflection of how we create today, working across different spaces, different time zones, connected through technology. It’s interesting because even though we’re not always physically in the same room, the energy still translates. You feel when something is right. This one took a few months from start to finish while I juggled tour life and family life. I like to give records time, to breathe, to evolve, to reveal what they want to become. Choosing ‘It Looks Like Love’ as my first solo production felt natural. There’s a certain elegance to it, a depth that aligns with where I am today. Not everything needs to be over-explained… some things are meant to be felt.
EG: The cut is also accompanied by a series of remixes, courtesy of you & Christian Mantini, Manda Moor & Sirus Hood, Jamie 3:26, and Wnoise. How did you and Nervous Records go about selecting the ideal remixers for this particular track?
Anané: I personally chose all the remixers involved because I’m a fan first. I also wanted each version to bring something fresh while still respecting the soul of the original. These are all artists I admire and respect. Christian and I worked together on the Dub version. He’s my right hand, he manages my work, and we run Nulu Music, Nulu Electronic, and Nulu Movement together, so there’s a natural synergy there. With that version, we really wanted to bring the Nulu drum energy… something rooted, something you feel in your body.
Manda Moor and Sirus Hood bring a completely different drive. I’ve always loved Manda, not only for her sound but for her presence as a powerful woman in a male-dominated space. Together, they gave the record a strong, forward-moving energy that’s perfect for the dance floor. Jamie 3:26 was a very organic connection. Last summer at Shapes Festival in Zakynthos, after my set, he came straight up to me after I played it. It was our first time meeting, and he said, “I want to remix ‘It Looks Like Love.’” I already play a lot of his music, so it just made sense. That kind of alignment, you don’t ignore.
And Wnoise, who is from Morocco, is also part of the Nulu family. He’s an incredible artist on my label (and one to look out for), Nulu Music, which I founded in 2009, at a time when bringing Afro sounds into house music wasn’t as widely embraced. Afro is part of who I am, my Cape Verdean roots, and it’s important for me to continue creating space for that sound and that expression. Each remix carries its own identity, but they all stay connected to the essence of the record.
“Full of inspiration, full of purpose, and ready for what’s next”
EG: What can we expect from your NuLu Music and NuLu Movement in 2026? Is there anything that you can anticipate on that front?
Anané: NuLu Music is approaching 20 years…wow…pinch me!!! What I’m most proud of is that we’ve stayed true to our foundation. We consistently release music that connects, records that reach the top charts, but more importantly, records that feel something. I’ve always loved discovering new artists and giving them a platform to step into their own. Many have had their first releases on Nulu and gone on to build their own paths, and that, for me, is part of the purpose.
I’ve never believed in being a catalogue label. My philosophy has always been quality over quantity. I only release music that moves me… because if it moves me, it will move others. And who knows… maybe one day there will be a documentary that tells the story of Afro music in house, and the role I’ve played in helping bring that sound forward. Because that’s not a trend for me, it’s part of my roots, my identity.
As for Nulu Movement, we’re celebrating 10 years at the iconic Le Bain in New York City, which is incredible. To have built a space that truly represents freedom through music, where people can come as they are and connect through sound, that’s something I don’t take lightly. It’s a community. It’s energy. It’s a frequency.
Anané’s ‘It Looks Like Love’ is out now on Nervous Records. Stream and download here.
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