Imani-J Announces Sophomore EP ‘Platinum Status’

Haitian-New Zealand artist Imani-J is stepping fully into her own with Platinum Status, her bold, unapologetic sophomore EP, led by the new single Fly. A celebration of culture and identity, and a manifestation of the future she is building, the EP follows the fearless honesty of the recent single Parasite with a project that has a clear message and story behind every song.

“The difference between this EP and Expectations is that this EP has a lot more direction,” Imani-J says. “Right from the start, I had a message that I wanted to get across and a story I wanted to tell, and that’s what I was channelling when I wrote every song.”

Lead single Fly is Imani-J’s answer to the doubters, and a showcase for the Haitian heritage at the heart of her artistry. “It’s so important to me to incorporate my Haitian culture into my artistry, and one of the reasons I love this song so much is because it does that super well,” she says.

If Fly is the song she’s proudest of on the project, the one that means the most is “Emily,” written about and named after her mum, who is also her manager. “She’s my ride-or-die and the woman that taught me how to be the strong, resilient, and brave woman I am,” Imani-J says. “When I say I want to win a Grammy, she asks how many.” The line “yeah, we gon’ make it big time” says it all. “My success is her success, and this is my chance to give her the flowers she deserves. Everybody needs an Emily in their life.”

Where Expectations explored the pressure society places on you and the pressure you place on yourself, Platinum Status is about learning to trust in yourself and your creativity. “It’s basically the perfect sequel to Expectations. It really shows how much I’ve grown over the last year,” she says. The sound is a fusion with a distinctive edge. Her own comparison is “if Amaarae and SZA had a baby.”

The EP was written across three continents. Imani-J spent three weeks in London writing most of the project, with further sessions in LA and one track written at a songwriting camp in New Zealand. “Songwriting is one of my favourite parts of being an artist, particularly writing overseas where I can work with people who understand me and what I’m trying to create.” Collaboration crossed oceans too. talk is cheap with Bam Marley was finished with Imani-J in NZ and Bam in LA, sending the track back and forth until it was right.

It’s been a milestone year. talk is cheap reached #2 on the NZ charts, and Imani-J says the love from mainstream radio has been a highlight. “There was one day when I had two different interviews and tracks being played on two different radio stations at the same time. I remember telling myself that this is how I know I’ve ‘made it’!” For her, the bigger meaning is representation. “The fact that an Afrobeats song is getting that much radio support in NZ is honestly the most special part. I’m so grateful that I get to rise up in the NZ music industry and bring light to a genre and culture that is barely represented here.”

Other highlights include being selected through a national competition to perform on the emerging artist stage at Jim Beam Homegrown, presenting a full-scale live show with a band and dancers at the NZ On Air emerging artists showcase and being invited to perform at the BZR WKND festival in Jamaica.

More is on the way. Imani-J will celebrate the EP with a release party and perform at Afrosoul and Electric Avenue over summer ‘26/’27. She has also been selected for a songwriting camp in LA with Khris Riddick-Tynes, half of production duo The Rascals, with Leon Thomas, whose credits include SZA, Kehlani, Ariana Grande and Rick Ross.

Leaving school to pursue music full-time was not without challenges, but she has no regrets. “It’s been the best decision I ever made. I don’t think I really realised how isolating it would be, but at the end of the day, it’s all paid off, and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.”

Imani-J’s breakout releases have already gained strong traction locally and internationally, with single and airplay chart debuts in Aotearoa and airplay across the US, UK and Europe. She has been featured by DAZED, Rolling Stone Australia/NZ, Sniffers, among many others.

Made with the support of NZ On Air.

Photo Credit: Synthia Bahati