Lila Iké
Born Alecia Tameka Grey in the small town of Christiana, Jamaica, Lila Iké has emerged as one
of the most captivating voices in modern reggae. Raised by her single mother alongside three
sisters in a conservative, religious household, she found solace in music early on—drawing from
gospel, roots reggae, soul, and '90s dancehall. Her bold decision to leave university and pursue
music in Kingston led her to Protoje and the In.Digg.Nation Collective, a partnership that would
propel her from open mic nights at Jamnesia to international stages.
Lila’s breakthrough came with soul-baring tracks like “Biggest Fan,
” “Second Chance,
” and
“Where I’m Coming From,
” earning comparisons to Lauryn Hill and Garnett Silk. Her 2020 debut
EP The ExPerience received widespread acclaim from Rolling Stone, Vogue, NPR, The New
York Times and more, cementing her as a rising force in global reggae. She has performed on
NPR’s Tiny Desk, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert alongside Protoje, and headlined major
festivals across Europe, North America, and the Caribbean.
Blending reggae with soul, R&B, hip-hop, and dancehall, Lila delivers a genre-bending sound
rooted in authenticity. Her lyrics tackle mental health, social injustice, spirituality, and
self-love—often pulled from her own life experiences, including her struggles with bipolar
depression. She's collaborated with international artists like H.E.R., Davido, Jorja Smith,
WSTRN, Skillibeng, and Ini Kamoze, and won back-to-back Best Female Reggae Artist awards
at the Caribbean Music Awards.
With her highly anticipated debut album Treasure Self Love on the way—featuring H.E.R., Joey
Bada$$, Maverick Sabre, Masicka and Protoje—Lila Iké continues to redefine reggae with raw
emotion, fearless storytelling, and undeniable charisma. Her nonprofit, the Blessings and Light
Foundation, further reflects her commitment to uplifting her community. Whether sharing tales of
heartbreak or hope, Lila Iké sings with a spirit that transcends borders and generations.