The arena was already electric—Drake’s sold-out crowd roaring, lights sweeping the stands—but when the screens faded to black, something shifted. This wasn’t just an opening act.

Tonight marked the first time “i hate u, i love u” was ever performed live.

The spotlight came up on two podiums.

On one stood gnash. On the other—calm, radiant, completely at home onstage—was Aaliyah Grace.

Her voice had already been called angelic by critics, but live? It was unreal.

Back in the audience, Drew Starkey stood shoulder to shoulder with the Rudy’s crew, eyes locked on the stage. This wasn’t nerves—he’d seen her perform before. This was pride. This was that’s my girl energy.

The opening notes played—soft, familiar, heartbreaking.

Gnash began with his verse, voice raw and restrained, singing about wanting someone who keeps him just out of reach. He leaned into the mic, confessional, honest, every word landing heavy in the arena.

Then Aaliyah stepped forward.

Her voice floated effortlessly—clear, emotional, almost glowing—singing about loving someone quietly, painfully, from the sidelines. Not bitterness. Not anger. Just truth. You could hear it in the way the crowd went silent, hanging onto every note.

When they reached the chorus, gnash turned toward her, their voices blending:

That push and pull. That I don’t want you, but I need you.

They interacted naturally—glances, half-smiles, shared breath between lines—like two people caught in the same story, telling it from opposite sides. Gnash delivered his next verse, aching and unresolved. Aaliyah answered with hers, soft but devastating, her voice soaring just enough to remind everyone who she was.

Out in the crowd, Drew smiled to himself, shaking his head slightly like he couldn’t believe this was real. The way she owned the stage. The way her voice filled the stadium like it belonged there—because it did.

As the final chorus faded, Aaliyah held the last note—pure, steady, angelic.

Silence.

Then the arena exploded.

Cheers thundered. Phones shot into the air. Gnash laughed, stepping closer, giving her a quick nod of respect before they shared the spotlight one last time.

Aaliyah looked out over the crowd, eyes shining—not overwhelmed, not surprised—just present.

This wasn’t a debut. This was a moment.

And standing there in the crowd, Drew knew everyone else had just realized it too:

That voice wasn’t just beautiful. It was unforgettable.