EXU (Deluxe) by Halima
Halima expands on her breakthrough EP with EXU Deluxe, welcoming remixes from forward-thinking producers DONIS and JADALAREIGN, plus two tracks from a live session performance. Released in spring 2024, EXU found the Brooklyn-based, Lagos/London-raised artist on a path of spiritual self-discovery and drawing from the music of her youth: British soul, UK Garage, R&B, and beyond. The 4-track digital set gives fans an extra lens to view EXU through as anticipation mounts for Halima's full-length debut.
Her first release with art-forward indie label drink sum wtr, EXU earned praise from all over, including Clash Magazine, The Fader, BBC Radio (who hosted her in their Maida Vale studios), and The Vinyl Factory. The latter outlet tapped Halima for their Reverb exhibition at 180 Studios, a series highlighting "some of music and art's most interesting rising and established figures." Backed by Zamar-eden on bass and Nate Ricketts on drums, Halima delivered a spirited set from which "Awaken" was captured. On the same tour, Halima played a show in Rotterdam and introduced the previously unreleased “lgwe” with a poignant dedication, now heard here.
Brooklyn-based Dominican American producer DONIS ups the tempo and bounce of EXU closer "Samantha," an ode to acceptance, gratitude, and self-love. Halima’s vocals remain commanding as DONIS runs the chorus above bright key lines, utilizing her spoken word interlude for a proper club edit.
New York's JADALAREIGN brings her futuristic take on deep house and techno to "Ways." The original crossed R&B hooks with propulsive skitters and bursts, expressing the thrill of meeting someone new. JADALAREIGN's take enhances that emotion, adding a dreamier dance feel.
Halima adds:
"I wanted both songs to be reimagined for the dance floor. They were created in a state of motion and transformation, making them feel naturally adaptable and open to reinterpretation. When I approached JADALAREIGN and DONIS, I was thinking about the relationship between music, space, and movement, as well as the immersive experience of sound.
Both tracks were inspired by the club, but I felt they had more room to evolve. JADALAREIGN’s version of Ways brings forward something the original hinted at, transforming it with a fresh yet familiar energy. Meanwhile, DONIS' take on Samantha places the song firmly in a club context, capturing and amplifying its innate lightness. I love how they reimagined this quality and made it the focus."
Tracklist
| 1. | Awaken | 2:44 |
| 2. | Ways | 3:06 |
| 3. | Don't | 2:46 |
| 4. | Overdue | 2:53 |
| 5. | Samantha | 3:00 |
| 6. | Awaken (Live from 180 Studios / Courtesy Of) | 3:14 |
| 7. | Ways (JADALAREIGN Remix) | 4:58 |
| 8. | Samantha (DONIS Remix) | 4:21 |
| 9. | Igwe (Live from Rotterdam) | 3:01 |
Credits
License
All rights reserved.
Raised btwn Lagos & London, Halima draws from a tri-continental well. From early explorations of folk and piano to later studies of jazz & R&B, her sound pulls unapologetically from a broad musical spectrum. Halima's work embodies the intersection of self-discovery, community, & the complexity of life's connections.