Hailing from the rural parish of Manchester, Jamaica, Lila Iké lets you know her starting point is a humble beginning on her latest single "Where I'm Coming From" (out today via In.Digg.Nation Collective/Easy Star Records). Her formal declaration of gratitude—like many self-aware reggae artists—graces her journey beyond her homeland that will take her to new heights. The song is a benediction to her promising music career. Her voice is full of hope and conviction declaring her strength to welcome any challenge. "Won't be an easy road, but anytime mi overcome the pressure yeah it free mi soul," emotes Lila.
Being next up on Protoje's In.Digg.Nation Collective, Lila Iké rumbles with a fighter's ferocity. The rugged trap-inspired production by Kasadie "Caspa" Jones is a natural backdrop for her to flow effortlessly between rapping her verses and singing harmonious high octaves. She leaves listeners curious to know, "Who's that girl?" as she has accomplished on her most recent R&B-tinged single "Second Chance" and her latest power collaboration with Protoje and dancehall veteran Agent Sasco (Assassin) on “Not Another Word.”
Lila Iké along with labelmate Sevana will join Protoje on stage in NYC on June 27 for his headlining Prospect Park show, part of BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Concert series. Then, she heads to Europe in July and August for a series of festival dates. See Europe dates below.
Meet Lila Iké (pronounced Lee-lah Eye-kay)
The straight-shooting,free-spirited, yet easy-going singer who belts soulful tunes with a velvety smooth voice is managed by In.Digg.Nation Collective, record label of reggae star Protoje. Having appeared 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 & Equiknoxx Music and Yaadcore, she is now building her own catalog of impressive solo material. “Biggest Fan,” her 2017 debut single, was a tribute to her mother, who despite initially disapproving of her daughter’s career choice ended up becoming her “biggest fan.” Her second single “Gotti Gotti” likewise acknowledges the wisdom of elders, taking her generation’s predilection for greed to task on a vintage reggae riddim. Her third single “Second Chance” taps into the past while revealing a sound that is fresh, new and all her own. The heavy drum and bass on “Second Chance” will be instantly familiar to long-time reggae fans, but Iké gives the rhythm a fresh coat, delivering “a rub-a-dub love song for the ages” (LargeUp). Passion Weissraved that the track is “the best kind of lovelorn cry. It may sway and groove, but it’s potent in a way that nearly stings.” Iké also features on Protoje's latest single "Not Another Word" along with Agent Sasco, released April 2019. The single has been featured on Spotify playlists 'Dancehall Queen' and 'Dancehall Official' as well as on iTunes Reggae A-List, premiering at number 2. Iké's fourth and latest single "Where I'm Coming From" has her voice sitting on an ultra-modern reggae trap beat as she describes how she's navigating and championing her way in the music industry.
EUROPE TOUR DATES:
- July 25 - Sfinks Festival - Antwerp, Belgium
- July 26 - Hill Vibes Reggae Festival - Telfs, Austria
- July 27 - Reggae in Wulf - Friedberg, Germany
- August 1 - Rote Fabrik - Zurich, Switzerland
- August 2 - Free & Easy Festival - Munich, Germany
- August 4 - Reggae Jam Festival - Bersenbruck, Germany
- August 16 - Rototom Sunsplash - Benicassim, Spain