Lila Iké
Lila Iké | |
|---|---|
Lila Iké performing at Reggae Geel 2022 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Alecia Tameka Grey 23 January 1994 Christiana, Jamaica |
| Origin | Manchester, Jamaica |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Labels |
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Lila Iké (born Alecia Tameka Grey; January 23, 1994) is a Jamaican reggae singer and songwriter.[1] After releasing multiple singles, Iké released her debut EP The ExPerience in May 2020. Her debut album Treasure Self Love, released in August 2025, was nominated for a Grammy in the Reggae category. She performed at the 2026 Grammy Awards.[2]
Career
Grey was born in Christiana, Manchester, Jamaica where she attended Manchester High School and graduated in 2011. She enrolled at Northern Caribbean University in Mandeville until 2015.[3] She attempted to return to school at The University of the West Indies, but stopped to pursue her musical career.[4]
After moving to Kingston, she began singing under the moniker Lila Music which evolved to Lila Iké based on Nigerian name Ikéchukwu, which means "power of God".[3] In 2017, she signed with Protoje's In.Digg.Nation label. In 2019, she toured Europe, including Rototom Sunsplash and Reggae Jam.[5] She also opened for Protoje on his U.S. tour.[4]
Her first EP, The ExPerience, was released in 2020.[3] Some of her singles include "Biggest Fan" (2017), "Gotti Gotti" (2017), "Second Chance" (2018), "Where I'm Coming From" (2019), "Sweet Inspiration" (2019) and "I Spy" (2020).[5] She appeared in the "Artist to Watch" list for BBC Radio 1Xtra's Hot for 2020.[6] That same year, Vice call her one of "Jamaica's class of promising reggae artists, like Koffee and Chronixx".[3]
In 2025, Iké announced her debut album Treasure Self Love, to be released in August 2025. It was subsequently nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album.[7]
References
- ^ Noel Cymone Walker. "Lila Iké's timeless tunes are pushing her through the reggae ranks". The Fader. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- ^ Davis, Jovani (30 January 2026). "Lila Ike set to make Grammy history with debut performance". CNW Network. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
- ^ a b c d Kristin Corry. "Lila Iké Is Singing Jamaica's New Era of Redemption Songs". Vice. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- ^ a b Kediesha Perry (29 September 2019). "Lila Ike high on education". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Biography: Lila Iké". Reggaeville. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
- ^ "Meet 1Xtra's Hot For 2020". BBC. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
- ^ Mankaprr Conteh (2 July 2025), "Jamaican Singer Lila Iké Announces Debut Album, Gets 'Romantic' With Masicka", Rolling Stone, retrieved 25 July 2025