‘River’ by Jessica Chaz

Emerging from the culturally diverse shores of Durban, South Africa, and navigating the bustling streets of Vancouver, Canada, Jessica Chaz’s journey is as fluid and transformative as the metaphorical river she sings about. Her latest release, the River EP, not only represents her personal journey of growth and resilience, but it has also made a remarkable impact on the music world, with the title track ‘River’ soaring to #45 on the iTunes Pop Charts.

The River EP is an introspective project that took four years to complete, its narrative shaped by the personal and global challenges that arose during the pandemic. Jessica’s ability to channel the uncertainty of these times into an album that resonates with hope, love, and purpose is a testament to her musical depth and versatility. Blending elements of R&B, Folk, and Soul, the River EP showcases Jessica’s unique sound, which draws from her multicultural experiences across two continents.

Reflecting on the significance of the song’s charting success, Jessica shared in an interview with I2R, “This was such a special moment, both for me as a musician and also for the label, Moodlab Music, that I co-founded. It was amazing that this project we worked on for four years was listened to at that level, and that it charted on the US Pop Charts. Still can’t quite believe it.”

The song ‘River’ serves as both the anchor and the inspiration for the entire EP. According to Jessica, the river metaphor perfectly encapsulates the themes of hope, love, and perseverance that run through the album. “Rivers ebb and flow, just like our lives do,” she says. “We all have ups and downs, starts and stops, but the river takes us where we need to be, no matter the difficulty.”

What makes this charting achievement even more remarkable is that Jessica recorded much of the album during the pandemic, when global uncertainty and personal struggles were at their peak. Having lost her voice midway through the project, Jessica faced the challenge of re-learning how to sing, breathe, and even hear while continuing to record. This experience transformed not only her approach to music but also deepened the emotional resonance of her songs. As she recalls, “This experience taught me to hope when there’s nothing you can do but wait—it grew resilience in me.”

The EP’s success can also be attributed to Jessica’s seamless blend of genres, allowing her music to reach listeners across different tastes. The mix of R&B, Folk, and Soul gives the project a global, eclectic feel, mirroring Jessica’s diverse background. “Living in two cities with multicultural diversity has afforded me the opportunity to hear an eclectic mix of music and genres,” she says. “Working with artists from Canada, South Africa, the US, and the UK brought different perspectives, and I learned a lot through that.”

The collaborative nature of the River EP is another cornerstone of its success. Jessica handpicked each artist to bring a unique flavor to the tracks, and despite the challenges of remote recording during the pandemic, she trusted the process and her collaborators. “Recording and producing remotely was complicated at times,” she admits. “But it was amazing when it all came together.”

Jessica Chaz’s River EP stands as a powerful testament to resilience, hope, and the journey of life, and the charting of “River” at #45 on iTunes is just the beginning of her ascent. With plans for new projects, including remixes and a jazz-influenced album, Jessica’s musical voyage continues to evolve, much like the river she so poetically sings about.

As she advises those on their own path of self-discovery, “Listen to your gut or your instinct. The only way you can grow confidence in that is by listening to it, trying things out, and figuring out if that’s what you were aiming for. This project has helped me develop that skill more, and I hope it resonates with others as they find their own rivers to navigate.”