D’Angel Releases ‘Uptown Living Remix’ With Tanya Stephens 15 Years Later

The story of D’Angel’s breakout single, Living Uptown, is already epic, but the revelation that there was an unreleased remix with Tanya Stephens makes it legendary.

D’Angel posted the Delly Ranx and Danny Champagne-produced remix on her Instagram page recently, 15 years after the making of the original track.

“Bet yuh never know seh @iamtanyastephens do a wicked remix pon one a di biggest fan favorites ever? LIVING UPTOWN,” D’Angel captioned. “When women in dancehall collab and stay true to the message in the music it’s always fire🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 My own song giving me goose pimples! Yooooooooo Tanya you killed it! Baddest female lyricist!”

It seems she went through a great deal to recover the track based on her interaction with Stephens in the comments.

“You find it!” Stephens responded.

“Yes, mi neva stop!” D’Angel said. “Lol thanks again for gracing your voice and melody to s song that over 15 yrs after still stand up well strong.”

Stephens also posted the record on her page, adding, “Love da song ya BAAAADDDDD… from then til now, with and without me pon it! Wah u know bout ambition and drive?”

The latter statement embodies the essence of Stephens’ contribution to the refix, as she encourages the young star to be persistent and thrive despite the criticism that will come. Resting easy on the reggaeton-inspired beat, Stephens slays another verse, this time from the perspective of making it to the top, and navigating the envy of double-dealing onlookers.

Prior to the release of Uptown Living, D’Angel was at the height of her modeling career after relocating from St Catherine to Kingston. Then known as Michelle Downer, she met dancehall deejay Bounty Killer and the two ultimately formed an intimate relationship. In a 2019 interview with The STAR, D’Angel said he was supportive of her modeling endeavors, but wasn’t sold on her musical ambitions as he didn’t want her to be involved in the harsh “male-dominated” music industry.

This created a rift between the couple, and D’Angel decided to pursue a music career despite his disapproval. She described how she “went behind his back” to record Uptown Living in 2005, which gave her the big break she needed.

Doing the song’s remix with Stephens at that time would have been a massive endorsement, as Stephens was high off her 2004 critically-acclaimed fifth studio album, Gangsta Blues. The sexual and socially political album hosted 17 tracks released by her Tarantula Studios and VP Records.

Tanya Stephens basked in her sexuality on tracks like Boom Wuk, is the ‘jacket-giving’ villain in Little White Lie, has side chick buyer’s remorse in Tek Him Back and switches roles as the devout wife in What’s Your Story. It’s A Pity was also a major hit from the project, as well as The Other Cheek, an anthem for marginalized groups.

Check out these two women together on Living Uptown (Remix) below.