Some records take on a life of their own long before they’re officially released and Stephani B’s “Boujee” is exactly that kind of track. First tested on an unsuspecting crowd during her debut Tomorrowland Belgium set in 2024, it’s spent two years living in her sets, picking up fans who’ve been hunting for the track ID ever since. Now, as she steps back onto the Tomorrowland Mainstage this year, the record finally gets its official release — a genuine full-circle moment.
Built on a hybrid style that fuses live drum pads with DJing, and shaped by a Manchester music scene she credits for teaching her how to build a real connection with a crowd, Stephani B’s rise has been anything but overnight.
Find out more about the Scott Forshaw collaboration behind “Boujee,” the drumming background that shaped her sound, and the advice she’d give any young woman trying to break into the scene right now.
1. “Boujee” has actually been part of your sets since your first Tomorrowland Belgium appearance back in 2024. What’s it like finally releasing a track that fans may have already heard live? What’s the story behind the title “Boujee”?
It’s a pretty surreal feeling because this track has genuinely been with me throughout my Tomorrowland journey. The very first time anyone heard it was during my debut at Tomorrowland Belgium in 2024, and ever since then it’s become one of those records that I’ve played at every gig. I’ve had people asking for the track ID before it’s release and it’s always a track that goes down so well in my sets! The title just fits the energy of the record. It’s got that confident, feel good, high end vibe without taking itself too seriously. I wanted something that instantly made people think of feeling good and living in the moment and I think it does exactly that.
2. How did the collaboration with Scott Forshaw come together, and what did he bring to the track that shaped its final direction?
Scott and I have known each other for a while through the dance music scene, and we both have naturally gravitated towards similar vibes of records. Scott brought another level of experience to the production. We’d bounce ideas backwards and forwards, constantly refining little details until everything felt right. I think that’s what makes collaborations work best, it’s not about one person taking over, it’s about bringing out the best ideas from each other.
3. Full circle moment, debuting the track at Tomorrowland Belgium in 2024, and now releasing it right as you step onto the Mainstage there this year. How was your show back then compared to this year? What’s special about Tomorrowland that makes it so different from other festivals?
It honestly feels like a full circle moment. In 2024 I remember standing backstage with no idea what to expect. I was so nervous, excited, trying to take everything in, and I was about to test out a brand new track that nobody had ever heard before. Fast forward to this year and I’m standing on the MainStage playing the exact same record but this time releasing it. It’s one of those moments you couldn’t really write.Playing the MainStage felt completely different. It’s obviously a much bigger stage, but I also felt much more confident in myself as an artist. Over the last couple of years I’ve grown massively as a performer, producer and person, so I walked out there ready to enjoy every second. Tomorrowland is unlike any other festival because everything feels magical. The production, the people, the atmosphere, it genuinely feels like you’re stepping into another world. Every DJ artist dreams of playing there, so every time I get to walk onto one of those stages I remind myself how lucky I am.
4. Take us back to the beginning. What first pulled you toward DJing and production, and when did you know you wanted to make it a career?
I’ve always known I wanted to be involved in dance music in some way. Even from a young age, I was fascinated by electronic music and the energy it creates. I started out as a drummer, so rhythm has always been at the heart of everything I do, but I knew I wanted to find a way to bring that into the dance music world. It was really during university that everything started to come together. That’s where I properly developing production skills and tapping into mixing records. At the same time, I started experimenting with incorporating my electronic drum pads and adding them to my productions. I don’t think there was one moment where I suddenly decided to make it a career, because I’d always dreamed of doing it. It was more a case of committing everything I had to making it happen. As I started releasing music, posting content consistently and getting booked for bigger shows, it gradually became clear that this wasn’t just a passion anymore, it was becoming my career. Looking back now, all those hours in the studio and practice rooms at university really laid the foundations for everything that’s happened since.
5. You perform with live pad drumming alongside DJing. How did that hybrid style develop, and what does it add to a live show that a standard DJ set doesn’t?
Because I came from a drumming background, I always wanted to find a way to combine both worlds.When I started experimenting with electronic drum pads, it completely changed my performances. Instead of just mixing tracks, I could actually become part of them, adding live drums, samples and creating moments that people don’t expect. For me it’s about giving people something they can’t hear by just pressing play on Spotify for example. Every performance becomes unique because I’m physically performing some parts of the music live, and I think audiences really connect with that energy.
6. Manchester has such a distinct music heritage. How has the city shaped your sound and your approach to performing?
Manchester has such an incredible history when it comes to dance music. Parklife festival was actually the first festival I ever went to when I was 18, I remember watching Annie Mac and absolutely loving the energy she brought to the scene, I still remember some of the tracks she played in her set to this day! Being able to experience events like this on my doorstep was really inspiring. The scene in Manchester does feel quite close. It’s a city where people do genuinely support each other. I am also pretty close to Wigan as well and that is also a really close circuit, everyone is just absolutely up for it, it’s great! This is probably why I bring so much energy to my DJ sets and put emphasis on making my shows feel like a performance. Whether it’s through the live element of my DJing or the way I build my sets, I always want people to leave feeling like they’ve experienced something.
7. Who or what are you drawing inspiration from at the moment, whether that’s other artists, genres, or things completely outside music?
At the moment, I’m inspired by people who are thinking outside the box and doing things a little differently in the scene. I’m always listening to music podcasts and keeping up with conversations around the industry because I find it really interesting to hear how different artists think creatively and approach their career, and their personal experiences. I also watch a lot other DJs’ sets, not to copy, but to understand how they make their moment in their set to connect the crowd. Whether it’s how they build the tension, interact with the audience, structure their sets, there’s just always something to learn and take from doing that.
8. What does your studio process usually look like? Do you prefer to work alone or collaborate with others?
A bit of both. I love starting ideas on my own because that’s where I can be completely creative without overthinking anything. Once I’ve got a strong concept, I really enjoy collaborating because someone else can hear things you’ve become blind to after listening to the same track for weeks. I’m quite obsessive with details though. I’ll happily spend hours changing tiny sounds or tweaking arrangements if I think it makes the record better.
9. What advice would you give to a young DJ or producer, especially women, trying to break into the scene right now?
Don’t wait until everything is perfect before putting yourself out there. I think social media makes people feel like they need to have the perfect studio, the perfect content or the perfect music before anyone takes them seriously, but consistency beats perfection every time. Also, don’t feel like you have to fit into someone else’s version of what a DJ should be. The thing that’s helped me stand out is leaning into what makes me different bringing live sampling into my sets and building my own identity. And finally, be patient. Overnight success usually comes after years of work that nobody sees.
10. Can you give us a preview of what’s coming up in terms of releases and tour dates for the rest of 2026?
There’s a lot happening. I’ve got more music on the way that I’m really excited about, and I’m continuing to push my own sound and building my own brand ‘Drumbox’ more throughout the next 12 months. Tour wise, I’m fortunate to be playing across the UK and internationally for the rest of the year, I’ve got a cool festival show in Italy coming up in August as well as a couple ofMinistry of Sound shows in London, including a full female line up, which I am buzzing to be part of! The goal has always been simple, keep making records that people genuinely connect with and create live shows that people won’t forget.