Given Lila Iké’s popularity in the reggae music scene, it’s hard to believe the newly released Treasure Self Love is her debut full-length album. Fans have been understandably giddy over the singer since 2020’s The ExPerience EP put her on the path to worldwide stardom. Still, when an artist has so much hype, disappointment can feel inevitable. Thankfully, that’s not the case here, as Treasure Self Love is further proof that Iké is the real deal (not that we needed any).
The album features several notable collaborations, and each of them perfectly amplify Iké’s distinctive talents. Joey Bada$$ brings playful energy to “Fry Plantain,” while Maverick Sabre lends warmth to “All That and More.” Perhaps the most daring track is “He Loves Us Both” with H.E.R., an engaging tune that finds two female powerhouses joining forces in to great success.
For an artist that has quickly been hailed as reggae’s next superstar, Iké also exudes respect for the genre’s trailblazers. Her fantastic cover of Patra’s 1993 classic “Romantic Call” – here called “Romantic” – is a thoughtful nod to dancehall history. Likewise, “Love in a Lovely Way” cleverly intertwines Garnett Silk’s “Place in Your Heart,” managing to be both fresh and nostalgic at the same time.
Throughout Treasure Self Love, Iké blends a variety of influences. Yes, reggae is at the heart of everything, but soul, R&B, and hip hop also factor into her sound. The singer also showcases songwriting talent well beyond her years, displaying strength, vulnerability and power within her lyrics.
During a recent conversation with Grammy.com, Iké described Treasure Self Love as “a journey of learning to love myself, understanding that each and every one of us should be able to treasure ourselves and value ourselves.”
“Every time I make music, every time I get to another level, every time that I’ve ticked off an accomplishment or overcome a particular milestone, it’s just a reminder to just continuously evolve,” she continued, “to continuously work on getting better and especially to just learn myself because you really don’t know what you’re capable of until you do it.”
Treasure Self Love is proof that the journey — and the evolution — was well worth the wait.
