Hailing from Liverpool, the sensation ESSEL ignited her musical odyssey during a winter studio seclusion, conjuring beats that now set the world on fire. In just 5 years, she’s earned her stripes with a coveted place in the ‘Top 30 Producers in the World’ on Beatport, all while being lauded as one of the most influential female DJs to emerge from the UK club scene. From her first residency in Ibiza to global recognition, ESSEL is the force igniting the music industry.

Achieving two #1 and four Top 10 hits on Beatport. She has graced iconic UK venues: Printworks, Warehouse Project Manchester, Drumshed in London for ELROW, Steel Yard, and Ministry of Sound.

Accumulating over 60 million streams, her music has earned acclaim from dance music giants such as Diplo, David Guetta, Mark Knight, Sonny Fodera, Gorgon City, , Lee foss, Kaskade, MK, Danny Howard, Claptone, Dennis Ferrer, Axwell, Acraze, Tiesto, Vintage Culture, Solardo, and Arielle Free. Her latest track, ‘The Edge,’ claimed Radio 1’s ‘Track Of The Week’ title.

ESSEL is gearing up for a dynamic tour, with stops in Australia, New Zealand, NYC Pride, Canada, Montreal, Miami, Bali, and Asia.

ESSEL, notable for the energetic vibes of Tech House to the nostalgic allure of Classic House, her music transcends boundaries, creating an immersive experience.
The infusion of inspiring old-school vocals adds a timeless touch to every track, making each composition a journey through the heart of electronic music.

Working with renowned artists such as Venbee, Moby, Marshmello, Lapsley, Joel Correy, Frank Jaehn, Ollie (Years & Years), earning recognition through releases on influential labels; Sony, Universal, Virgin, 3Beat, as well as prominent dance labels such as Toolroom and Solotoko.

Kaleena Zanders’ revolutionary voice and magnetic personality in the dance community are undeniable. A prolific vocalist, songwriter, DJ, producer, and entertainer who captivates audiences with her remarkable stage presence, eclectic sound, and powerhouse vocals inspired by some of the likes of Chaka Khan, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin all presented in a bed of electronic sounds.

Singing is at the center of her existence. Honoring the legacy of her late grandmother who was an incredible choir leader, singer, and pianist, Kaleena is following in her footsteps. When she’s behind the decks with a mic in hand, she’s like the energetic auntie in the gospel church. She’s the woman who rises in front of the congregation and rouses them to submit to the music with their entire being—just like she does on modern dance floors. Fresh off three Coachella 2025 sets, Kaleena is taking over stages nationwide—playing Outside Lands, EDC, Beyond Wonderland, SnowGlobe, and supporting AC Slater, Tchami, Anabel Englund, LP Giobbi, Sidepiece, Two Friends, and more.

Kaleena has garnered the respect of the dance world with breakout hits like, “V I B R A T I O N,” her collaboration with Shift K3Y that reached #1 on Billboard and Mediabase Dance radio airplay charts in the US. She had a viral hit called “Dance No More” w/ Sunday Scaries. Her heartfelt song, “Stronger Than I’ve Ever Been,” reached millions of listeners after premiering in a Toyota spot during Super Bowl LII. Her single, “Carry Us,” with LP Giobbi was one of Billboard’s 40 Best Dance Songs of 2021; one of Forbes’ top songs of 2021; and has had regular support on revered radio stations including BBC RADIO 1, KISS FM UK,  SiriusXM Electro, and Triple J.

Building on her astounding success as a standout vocalist and songwriter, she has sung and written for dynamic artists like Finneas, Keke Palmer, Pasek and Paul, Chris Lake, Aluna, J Worra, Tchami, Malaa, Solardo, Loud Luxury, House Gospel Choir, and Moon Boots.

Kaleena’s sound is vibrant and soulful. It feels like a call to action with a pop twist, and it’s laid over a four-on-the-floor beat, for now. Her taste in music is expansive and comprehensive. She was the lead singer in a rock band, and she’s intensively studied jazz, hip-hop, funk, and R&B.

She’s found a home in the dance community, writing tracks with some of her greatest friends like AC Slater, BIJOU, LP Giobbi, and Anabel Englund, and performing with them in every corner of the electronic space around the world. With such a massive influence, she couldn’t help but take her own music to the next level, creating a hybrid experience of DJing and singing.

Given that Kaleena is a black, queer, person in dance music she naturally upholds and helps keep a space for people like her. She hopes that even more people similar to her have fruitful platforms to share art & music to a wide range of audiences. Kaleena always leads her music with unabashed creativity and a purpose.

With her limitless mentality, she plans to continue pushing the boundaries of what dance music can be while also combining her love of acting, film production, and telling stories through visual media—fulfilling the complete breadth of her creative pallet. Now and into the future Kaleena Zanders is a full experience.