Following years of publicly discussed music disputes, Wadena addresses her history with Grammy Winner and Superstar Alicia Keys, creative campaigns she says were inspired by her own experiences, and why she’s choosing peace, prayer and music over a feud.
LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK— AUGUST 31, 2026— Wadena, also known as Denagirl, is celebrating her birthday with the surprise release of Wadena vs. Wadena: Back Outside, but this isn’t simply another music release.
For the independent R&B, hip-hop, pop and dance artist, the EP represents a return after years of personal challenges, music-industry controversies and obstacles that she says have tested her determination to continue building her career. “I didn’t quit. I was delayed. Now I’m BACK OUTSIDE,” says Wadena. “I’ve been through a lot, but I’m still here, I’m still creating and I’m hungry for this moment.”
WADENA AND ALICIA KEYS: “I WOULD RATHER SIT DOWN AND TALK”
Wadena is also choosing this moment to speak publicly about her long-running concerns involving Alicia Keys, including disputes and controversies surrounding their music careers that had already received media attention dating back to the period when both artists were affiliated with MBK Entertainment. Wadena says she believes situations involving her career and creative work have continued to feel adversarial, including similarities between promotional concepts developed independently and campaigns that later received significantly greater exposure used by Alicia Keys. The same as her music was passed around the industry and the singer/songwriter never received the credits she deserved. While millions of dollars and awards were also earned by well-known celebrities through the creative contributions of Wadena.
However, the public did not know this until recently and pushed for the release of Wadena’s untold music story through her upcoming book. One example is Wadena’s no-makeup campaign, which she says was never simply a marketing gimmick. The campaign was inspired by her own survival and was intended to encourage women of every race, culture and skin tone to recognize their natural beauty—particularly women who have experienced domestic violence, difficult relationships, motherhood and other painful circumstances.
“That campaign was personal to me,” Wadena says. “I survived domestic violence and fought for my life. I wanted women to know that what happened to them doesn’t take away their beauty or their worth.”
“Wadena says independent artists often don’t have the millions of dollars available to major stars to turn an idea into a global campaign. Sometimes our creativity is our marketing budget,” she says. “When you’re independent, you create the concept, create the content and find a way to get people to see it. That’s why it hurts when you feel like your ideas are being taken instead of being recognized.”
Wadena also points to her previous birthday releases involving music produced by Grammy Award Winner Zaytoven, including “Smoke-n-Chill.” She says Alicia Keys released music on the same birthday date during one of those campaigns, which Wadena experienced as another difficult moment within their complicated history.
Still, Wadena says she doesn’t want a public feud.
“I don’t hate Alicia Keys, and I respect what she’s accomplished,” Wadena says. “But I’m tired of carrying this situation. If there are still issues between us, I would rather sit down and talk about them. I’m not trying to take anything from her. I’m trying to build my own lane and my own fanbase.”
A CALL FOR INDEPENDENT ARTISTS TO GET THEIR CHANCE
Wadena says her experience has reinforced a larger belief: the music industry needs to make more room for independent creators.
“There is room for everybody,” she says. “Established artists can be successful while independent artists get an opportunity to grow. You don’t have to tear somebody else down for your light to shine.”
She also believes artists should embrace new creative tools responsibly rather than allowing fear or competition to prevent innovation. “Music is always evolving. Artists should be able to explore new ways of creating while keeping their own voice and vision at the center.”
A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AFTER LOSS
The EP’s birthday release carries an especially emotional meaning because Wadena and her mother share the same birthday.This year, they celebrate while continuing to grieve the loss of Wadena’s father. Wadena had also stepped away from her music campaign because of a family medical emergency, creating an unexpected delay in the EP rollout.
“We’re still grieving, but we’re also grateful to be here,” she says. “This EP represents another year of life, another chapter and another reason not to give up.”
THE MUSIC ALREADY HAS MOMENTUM
Wadena enters this new chapter with a growing independent catalog.
“Smoke-n-Chill,” produced by Zaytoven, has spent more than 50 weeks on the Upcoming 100 music charts and has generated more than 150,000 streams. “Glad I’m Over You (Hood Love)” has reached 52 weeks on the Upcoming 100 music charts, with a new remix featuring Mr. Hood included on the EP.
Now Wadena is asking listeners to help take the project even further through her #PlayWadenasMusic campaign.
“I’m not asking anybody to choose sides,” Wadena says. “I’m asking people to listen to the music and make their own decision. If you connect with it, stream it, save it, share it and become part of the journey.”
Wadena vs. Wadena: Back Outside is OUT NOW on major streaming platforms.
THEY MAY HAVE DELAYED THE MOMENT.
BUT THEY DIDN’T TAKE THE MOMENT AWAY.WADENA IS BACK OUTSIDE.
#WadenaVsWadena #BackOutside #PlayWadenasMusic #Wadena #Denagirl #IndependentArtist #SupportIndependentArtists