Contributing WriterOut now!
BUY / STREAM: MY EX-STACY HERE
Manchester based singer-songwriter Aaliyah Esprit continues to carve out a distinctive space on the UK drum and bass scene with new single, “My Ex-Stacy,” out 12th June.
Stepping outside of the box, “My Ex-Stacy” sees Aaliyah pushing genre boundaries with a bold fusion of drum & bass, trance-inspired production, and nostalgic rave influences. Produced by Channell of The North Quarter and reworked by producer Bypassmusic, the track is packed with euphoric synths, energetic drops, and chaotic late-night energy, which tells a fun and inventive story about a toxic ex-girlfriend and the addictive cycle of partying, escapism, and chasing highs.
Aaliyah first gained recognition following the independent release of her ‘Exchanging Energies’ EP, a project rooted in R&B, soul, and jazz influences that established her early presence as an emerging UK artist. She later became part of the prestigious Future Bubblers programme, founded by Gilles Peterson and Brownswood Recordings, supporting forward-thinking UK talent and helping shape her evolving artistic direction.
Although now recognised within drum and bass circles, an underlying R&B sensibility has always remained at the core of Aaliyah’s sound, from her melodic songwriting to her vocal arrangements and emotional delivery. “My Ex-Stacy” reflects that crossover instinct, using drum and bass as a vehicle to explore more electronic and rave-inspired elements while still staying rooted in soulful songwriting.
Her journey into drum and bass was catalysed after meeting Lenzman through mutual connections including DRS, with early writing sessions quickly evolving into a pivotal creative partnership that played a key role in launching her career within the genre. Through working closely with Lenzman and The North Quarter, Aaliyah began contributing vocals and songwriting across the scene, including collaborations with artists such as Zero T and C.I.A Records.
Since then, she has built an expanding catalogue solo R&B single “Hate To Be You” and collaborations such as “Bleeding Out,” with Zero T on Soulvent Records, “Something Got Me,” with Zero T on The North Quarter and “Hustlin,” with Lally via Hospital Records. Alongside her releases, Aaliyah has performed across key UK stages including We Out Here, Bluedot Festival and The Great Escape, as well live venue Omeara, building a reputation across both festival and underground live circuits.
In recent years, Aaliyah has focused heavily on songwriting and artistic development, attending writing camps in Bali and Italy with Arcadia while collaborating closely with producers and musicians across multiple genres. During this time, she also began developing her own production skills, deepening her understanding of arrangement and studio work.
Now, having spent time immersed in both drum and bass and electronic music, Aaliyah returns with a focused solo drum and bass project led by “My Ex-Stacy,” ahead of a new wave of R&B material arriving later this year. “My Ex-Stacy” marks the exciting beginning of her next chapter as a solo artist in her own right.
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