Fusing contemporary reggae with elements of soul, hip-hop and dancehall, the young Jamaican songbird has an edge and ease in her voice that creates an immediate gravitational pull with the listener.
“The ExPerience” (2020) was Lila Iké’s debut EP for Six Course/RCA Records in a new partnership with In.Digg.Nation Collective, a record label and talent pool for Jamaican creatives, founded by reggae star Protoje. The EP is padded with previously-released songs such as “Where I’m Coming From” and “Second Chance.” “I Spy” was produced by Izy Beats (the hitmaker behind Koffee’s “Toast”). On “Stars Align” Lila flips the instrumental from Protoje’s “Bout Noon” into an anthem about falling in love through the metaphor of making music.
Born Alecia Grey, Lila Iké grew up in the cool hills of Manchester, Jamaica. She and her three sisters were raised in a single parent household by her mother. As the second eldest child, she had a drive and responsibility to push forward and provide for her family. She first developed her love for music in high school, where she would create jingles on the spot for class projects and get caught freestyling in class with her friends. She found her calling after winning the “best talent” award in her high school pageant and writing her class’ graduation song. While attending Northern Caribbean University, she signed up for open mics.
Upon Lila’s relocation to Kingston, the ambitious singer connected with artists like Jah9, Kabaka Pyramid and Protoje. After appearing as a featured guest on tracks by Protoje (“Flight Plans”), Royal Blu (“Believe”) and Koro Fyah (“Got it For You,” “Raggamuffin”) and on mixtapes by Addis Pablo and Yaadcore, she began building her own catalog of impressive solo material. She wrote from a personal point of view on her debut single “Biggest Fan” (2017), a tribute to her mother who was originally skeptical of Lila’s musical career choice until she had a change of heart.
“Second Chance”, released in 2018, has steadily grown to become a crowd favorite in the dancehalls, parties and clubs. The heavy drum and bass borrows from “Promise Land” by reggae icon Dennis Brown. Iké gives the rhythm a fresh coat, delivering a rub-a-dub love song for the ages.
Iké’s breakout single „Where I’m Coming From” has her voice sitting on an reggae trap beat as she reflects on her journey thus far, acknowledging her humble beginnings and expressing gratitude for the blessings she has received. Accolades from The Fader, Billboard, Flaunt Magazine, ExtraTV, Ebro Darden’s Apple Music Beats1 show, BBC Radio 1Xtra began to roll in. Her song “Sweet Inspiration” is part of the riddim compilation Rock & Groove co-produced by Protoje. In addition to Lila, the all-female riddim features Jamaica’s leading ladies like Sevana, Naomi Cowan and Jaz Elise. In 2019 she embarked on her very first solo tour throughout Europe during the summer and was booked to most of major reggae festivals, like 2019 Rototom Sunsplash. Her and labelmate Sevana also joined Protoje on his sets at Reggae Sumfest (Montego Bay, Jamaica) and BRIC’s Celebrate Brooklyn! (NYC, USA).
First time ever in Poland, the singer is ready to let you know who she is and where she is coming from. Get ready for The ExPerience.
Ostróda Reggae Festival, Red Stage, 9-07-2022
Links:
https://www.lilaikemusic.com
https://www.facebook.com/LilaIkeJA
video:
Lila Iké – Solitude https://youtu.be/BxrY8TWKJL0
Lila Iké – Where I’m Coming From https://youtu.be/9NDaJtcusi4
Lila Iké – Batty Rider Shorts https://youtu.be/GXnlkGzKRGs
Lila Iké & Skillibeng – Thy Will https://youtu.be/x5v5BPGeqjk
Lila Iké live Rototom Sunsplash Main Stage 2019 https://youtu.be/CtmbvqpOrBs
Lila Iké – True Love https://youtu.be/qtEhqfKUqXc
Lila Iké – I Spy https://youtu.be/k4a0eg-M9us
