After weeks of building anticipation across social media, a star-studded collaboration has arrived. Steve Aoki, Nile Rodgers, Sam Feldt, XANDRA and Zak Abel have unveiled ‘I’m Going Out,’ a fresh reimagining of Diana Ross’ legendary anthem ‘I’m Coming Out.’ The track is out today via Amsterdam-, New York- and London-based dance label Armada Music.
Sparked by an idea from two-time Grammy-nominated DJ and producer Steve Aoki and the legendary Nile Rodgers to create a contemporary anthem of celebration, ‘I’m Going Out’ comes just in time for the party season. While drawing from the uplifting spirit and empowering message of Diana Ross’ 1980 hit song, the original gains a modern sonic thanks to Sam Feldt, XANDRA and Zak Abel, blending the instantly recognizable melodies from the original with a fresh production and new lyrics, to become first-ever dance reinterpretation of the classic. Nile Rodgers, who co-wrote and produced the original with Bernard Edwards of CHIC, brings his re-recorded signature guitar to the reimagined dance-pop version, marking the first time he has featured on a rework of the original as a performer.
The release follows a remarkable year for Nile Rodgers, with a recent Grammy nomination in the best pop/duo group performance category for Beyonce’s ‘Levii’s Jeans’ to a string of successful releases, including a linkup with Cedric Gervais for a rework of Sister Sledge’s ‘We Are Family’, and ‘For Life’ with Kygo and Zak Abel. Aoki, with his extensive cross-genre discography and collaborations with artists like Lil Uzi Vert, Maluma and BTS, continues to push the boundaries of genre and style.
Multi-platinum hitmaker Sam Feldt and DJ sensation XANDRA bring their signature house-pop style to ‘I'm Going Out,’ following recent successes like Feldt’s chart-topping remix of global hit Mi Amor’ with JVKE & Anitta and XANDRA’s breakout debut ‘Body Say’. The track is fueled by minimalist drum beats, subtle percussion and an electrifying drop, with vocals from British star Zak Abel, whose career has soared through collaborations with icons like Kygo and Avicii.
On the linkup, Nile Rodgers said: “The original song holds a special place in my heart due to its incredibly uplifting energy and memorable message of inclusion. We wanted to preserve that spirit while introducing a new sound that feels fresh and exciting.”
“Music has a unique power to unite people from all walks of life, and Nile and Diana's timeless classic has been the soundtrack to unforgettable moments worldwide,” added Steve Aoki. “It’s an incredible honor to work with Nile, Sam, XANDRA and Zak, and reimagine this iconic dance floor anthem.”
Sam Feldt, whose music always aims to spread positivity and joy, reflects on the project: “I've been a fan of the disco hit ‘I'm Coming Out’ for as long as I can remember, so turning it into something fresh with Steve Aoki, XANDRA, Zak Abel and the original hitmaker Nile Rodgers was surreal. This is one of those rare tracks that hits you right in the feel-good zone—a blend of nostalgia with a fresh, tropical twist that makes you want to move. We've kept the essence but rewired it to be all about letting go of a relationship that doesn't serve you anymore and starting fresh. But honestly, it’s the kind of track you just put on when you're ready to start a night that could go anywhere. No need to be recently single." In addition to his music career, Feldt uses his platform to promote environmental sustainability through his Heartfeldt Foundation, furthering his commitment to spreading happiness and unity.
XANDRA added: “‘I’m Going Out’ is the wildest collaboration and mix of personalities that tells our version of a much-needed night out. An iconic night needs an iconic group and for this one, we have Steve and Sam, Zak's powerful vocals and Nile the legend behind it all. This track feels like the perfect tribute to the original energy Diana Ross brought to this song so many years ago.”
‘I’m Coming Out’, originally released in 1980, became a defining anthem for the LGBTQ+ community, celebrating personal freedom, self-expression and embracing one’s true identity. Written and produced by Rodgers and Edwards, the song’s empowering lyrics and vibrant disco sound propelled it to global success, reaching #5 on the Billboard Hot 100. It has since become a staple of global Pride celebrations and an enduring symbol of liberation and individuality.
[review top="1"]
[item value="10"]Steve Aoki, Sam Feldt, XANDRA - I'm Going Out (With Nile Rodgers & Zak Abel) [/item]
[content title="Summary" label="Overall Score"] One of the most remarkable musical compositions from the past has been meticulously reimagined, remixed, and repurposed for contemporary audiences. The iconic track “I’m Going Out” has been transformed into a truly modern masterpiece, characterized by electrifying basslines, radiant piano chords that evoke a sense of euphoria, thumping drums, intricate grooves, and euphoric synth hooks that culminate in a climax. Nile Rodgers’s signature funky guitar licks adds the requisite rhythm, propelling listeners into a state of frenzy. This track is undoubtedly one that will garner repeated play on daytime radio stations and Spotify playlists. It serves as the ideal soundtrack for preparing to embark on an enjoyable evening with friends. Steve Aoki, Sam Feldt, and XANDRA have successfully updated the classic to resonate with the modern club and music festival enthusiasts. Nile Rodgers and Zak Abel captivating and distinctive vocal delivery complements its overall charm and uniqueness. #PureGold Love IT[/content]
[item value="10"]Beat and Rhythm[/item][item value="10"]Basslines and Groove[/item]
[item value="10"] Melody [/item]
[item value="10"] Synths [/item]
[item value="10"]Breakdown[/item]
[item value="10"]Climax / Drop / Crescendo / Pay off moment[/item]
[item value="10"]Intensity, Drive and Energy[/item]
[item value="10"]Sound-design and Arrangement[/item]
[item value="10"]Overall Atmosphere[/item]
[item value="10"]Goosebumps / Shivers moments[/item]
[item value="10"]Emotional affinity and heartfelt moments[/item]
[item value="10"]Originality and Inventiveness[/item]
[item value="10"]Radio Friendly[/item]
[item value="10"]Vocals & lyrics[/item]
[item value="10"]You can’t get this memorable track out of your head[/item]
[item value="10"]It has potential to become an anthem or a classic[/item]
[/review]
About Steve Aoki
Counting nearly 3 billion music streams to his name, Steve Aoki is a true visionary. Billboard described the 2x-GRAMMY-nominated music producer, artist, fashion designer, entrepreneur, futurist, and Dim Mak Records founder as “one of the most in-demand entertainers in the world.” A Guinness World Record holder for the “Most Traveled Musician in a Single Calendar Year,” Aoki has performed at nearly every top festival around the world, including Coachella, Ultra Music Festival, Lollapalooza, Fuji Rock Festival, Tomorrowland, and Electric Daisy Carnival. Aoki also graced recent covers of Entrepreneur Magazine, Success Magazine, Electronic Musician, and Adweek as their “Visionary of the Year.”
As a globally successful cross-genre solo artist, Aoki has collaborated with an impressive list of varied artists, including BTS, Maluma, Snoop Dogg, Linkin Park, blink-182, One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson, Machine Gun Kelly, Lil Uzi Vert, 2 Chainz and Daddy Yankee, on top of having released three Platinum singles, six Gold singles, and over ten Top 10 radio records.
Aoki approaches each new endeavor with the same sense of dedication he’s put into his past achievements, including the Grammy-nominated Netflix documentary I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead (2016) and his memoir BLUE: The Color of Noise (2019). In 2012, he also founded THE AOKI FOUNDATION to support organizations in brain science and its research. His influential record label Dim Mak, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2021, is known for being a launching pad for the careers of prominent acts like Bloc Party, The Chainsmokers, Bloody Beetroots, The Kills, Zedd, and Diplo.
Connect with Steve Aoki:
Website: https://steveaoki.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveaoki/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steveaoki/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/steveaoki
About Nile Rodgers
Nile Rodgers is a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee and a multiple Grammy Award winning songwriter, composer, producer, arranger, and guitarist.
In 2023 he became the first creator to be awarded a Lifetime Achievement Grammy for his legacy in the same year as being awarded a Grammy for his new work with Beyoncé on the smash hit "Cuff It".
As the Co-founder of CHIC, Nile pioneered a musical language that generated chart-topping hits like "Le Freak", the biggest selling single in the history of Atlantic Records and sparked the advent of hip-hop with "Good Times" and "Rapper's Delight".
His work in The CHIC Organization, including "We Are Family" for Sister Sledge and "I'm Coming Out" for Diana Ross, and his productions for artists such as David Bowie ("Let's Dance"), Madonna ("Like A Virgin") and Duran Duran ("The Reflex"), have sold more than 500 million albums and 100 million singles worldwide, while his innovative, trendsetting collaborations with Daft Punk, Daddy Yankee, LE SSERAFIM and Beyoncé reflect the vanguard of contemporary hits.
Nile is the first, and only Producer In Residence at Apple Music and helms the award-winning Apple Music 1's "Deep Hidden Meaning" radio show celebrating the work of great songwriters. Nile served as the first-ever Chief Creative Advisor for the incomparable Abbey Road Studios and is the Chairman of the Songwriters Hall of Fame as well as Co-founder of Hipgnosis Songs, the multi-billion-dollar investment fund listed on the London Stock Exchange's FTSE 250.
In 2001 in the wake of 9/11 Nile co-founded the We Are Family Foundation (WAFF) at first to bring everyone together following the tragedy to start the healing process. It quickly evolved into an organization dedicated to the vision of a global family by creating and supporting programs that promote cultural diversity while nurturing, mentoring, and amplifying the vision, talents and ideas of young people who are positively changing the world.
WAFF is focused on empowering young people globally through its acclaimed youth leadership, storytelling and mentoring program, Three Dot Dash; Youth To The Front Fund, designed to support BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), youth at the forefront of fighting systemic racism, inequality and injustice; and Youth To The Table, bringing youth voices to decision making tables that are shaping humanity's future.
Connect with Nile Rodgers:
Website: www.nilerodgers.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nilerodgers
About Sam Feldt
Since bursting onto the scene with his multi-platinum-selling remix of "Show Me Love," Sam has continued redefining dance music's boundaries. His signature style—a blend of deep house with pop sensibilities—has earned him a dedicated fan base and critical acclaim. With global megahits like "Post Malone" featuring RANI, amassing close to one billion total streams to date, Sam has demonstrated his ability to craft songs that not only move the dance floor but also tug at the heartstrings, collaborating with the world's most prominent pop artists like Rita Ora, Kesha, and Tones & I.
Beyond his music, Sam has made significant strides as an entrepreneur and advocate for sustainability. His Heartfeldt ecosystem, including Heartfeldt Records, Publishing, Radio, Events, and Foundation, underscores his commitment to helping new talent in the music industry and positively impacting the world.
Sam's influence extends beyond the studio and the stage. Through the Heartfeldt Foundation, he champions environmental sustainability and a conscious lifestyle, leveraging his platform to inspire change and action among his audience and peers.
"Spreading happiness with my music is the best job in the world," says Sam. With every beat, every note, and every song, Sam Feldt continues to chase the endless summer, bringing warmth, joy, and unity to listeners worldwide.
Connect with Sam Feldt:
Website: https://samfeldt.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samfeldt
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/samfeldt
About XANDRA
In just two years as a college graduate, 24-year-old Alexandra Pohl (professionally known as XANDRA) boasts a thriving career as a self-taught house DJ that has propelled to new heights in music. Her exponential success has led to unbelievable opportunities, including DJing at the F1 Miami Grand Prix, the 2023 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Runway Show at Miami Swim Week (where she also walked the runway in their 2023 + 2024 shows), and Spotify’s Women In Music Event during Miami Music Week, to name just a few. She has also opened for and played back-to-back sets with mainstay DJ acts including Calvin Harris at the Pegasus World Cup, The Chainsmokers, Diplo, FISHER, Kygo, and more. XANDRA is also currently on her second headlining tour of the year, the “BODY SAY Fall Tour,” where she continues to sell out some of the biggest nightlife venues across the country, including Marquee in NYC, LIV Miami, Tao Chicago, and Hakkasan in Las Vegas, among others. She’s inked a Vegas residency with Tao Group and most recently made her Electric Daisy Carnival debut at EDC Orlando, which comes on the heels of her inaugural Lollapalooza mainstage performance, as well as performances at this year’s Forbes Under 30 Summit, the first-ever US Open Finals Fan Fest, and Palm Tree Festival in the Hamptons. Signed as the sole, premiere female artist on Palm Tree MGMT’s talent roster, the artist management firm co-founded by Kygo, XANDRA’s career is surpassing her wildest dreams as she proudly marches to the beat of her own drum.
Connect with Xandra:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xandrapohl
About Zak Abel
Zak Abel is a British singer / songwriter, who first rose to fame after supplying guest vocals on Gorgon City’s UK Top 20 hit single ‘Unmissable’. Penning his own songs as a 14-year-old and uploading videos of his work to YouTube, this eventually led to him signing a record deal in 2014. Zak and Joker released a four-track EP in 2015, shortly followed by Zak’s solo project 'One Hand On The Future', where he collaborated with Tom Misch on 'Beautiful Escape' and Kaytranada on 'Say Sumthin'. Through these early collaborations, Zak felt emboldened as a writer, setting him up perfectly for the release of his 2017 debut album, ‘Only When We’re Naked’. This significantly increased his stock as a writer too – being asked to pen hit records for the likes of Kygo, Avicii, R3hab & ZAYN, and Paloma Faith & John Legend. His own music blends soulful vocals with R&B and pop. The smokey 2021 release “Be Kind” made it into AirPlay Charts in various European countries and Top 30 HOT AC in the US and has been the defining direction for his second album, ‘Love Over Fear’.
Connect with Zak Abel:
Website: https://www.zakabel.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zakabel
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zakabelmusic/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ZakAbel
About Armada Music
Armada Music is the biggest independent dance music label in the world. Founded by Armin van Buuren, Maykel Piron (CEO) and David Lewis, the label manages an ever-growing catalog of over 40,000 tracks, built up across twenty-plus years of specialized dance music exploitation.
Representing artists such as Armin van Buuren, ARTY, D.O.D, Eelke Kleijn, Jan Blomqvist, Loud Luxury, Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano, Tensnake, THEMBA and Yulia Niko, Armada Music amasses more than one billion streams per month, airplay on leading radio outlets such as BBC Radio 1 and Sirius XM, and top positions in the world’s most notable charts. The label also takes great pride in major achievements such as Armin van Buuren’s GRAMMY nomination for ‘This Is What It Feels Like’, Loud Luxury and Brando’s ‘Body’ surpassing one billion streams on Spotify and breaking artists such as Lost Frequencies into global stardom.
Across offices in Amsterdam (HQ), New York, London and Laren (NL), Armada Music offers a truly global appeal to its growing roster. The label has its own club, radio studio and multiple production studios, and hosts various live formats. Producer platform Armada University, which offers educational products and opportunities, shows the label’s sustained effort to nurture the next wave of talent.
In 2023, Armada Music launched BEAT Music Fund, the world’s first dance music investment company, that acquires catalogs with the mission of honoring, representing and reinvigorating them. BEAT’s portfolio will continue to grow; in the first six months following its launch, BEAT acquired the catalogs of, among others, electronic music star ARTY, house and techno pioneer Kevin Saunderson’s KMS Records, legendary NYC-based house label King Street Sounds and chart-topping producers Chocolate Puma.
A Key Takeaway from “I’m Coming Out”:
Steve Aoki, Nile Rodgers, Sam Feldt, XANDRA, and Zak Abel have released a new dance reimagining of Diana Ross’ “I’m Coming Out.” The track, which features Nile Rodgers’ re-recorded guitar, aims to preserve the original’s uplifting spirit while introducing a fresh sound. The release follows a successful year for Nile Rodgers and marks the first time he has featured on a rework of the original as a performer.
Additional info: