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Six years ago, Lila Iké made her first appearance on the Reggae Sumfest stage as a guest of Protoje during his set. Now in 2025, the soulful songstress has claimed her own spotlight at Catherine Hall Entertainment Complex in Montego Bay, delivering a passionate, introspective, and genre-blending performance that marked a new chapter in her journey.
“It was amazing,” Iké told The Gleaner backstage, fresh from her set. “A little nerve-wracking, you know, because it was like my very first time. But it’s a full circle moment. My first appearance was six years ago. Protoje called me out on his set, and this year I got to do it on my own, just before he got on and just before Toni Braxton, so very special.”
Indeed, her moment came with extra sparkle, as Braxton is one of her musical idols.
“I’m a big, big fan,” she shared. “Mi cya wait fi dah interview yah done suh mi can guh watch wah gwan!” she added, with a laugh.
Iké’s performance definitely showcased her musical evolution. With her debut album Treasure Self Love on the horizon, and many online fans thinking she’s now going in a different direction musically, Iké made it clear that she is breaking away from labels and expectations.
“I don’t think I’m going in a new direction,” she clarified. “I think people are discovering more about me. I’m an expressive person. I love reggae and I love dancehall. I’ve never ever limited myself to one thing ever. I’m still learning myself, so I just express myself as I learn and grow.”
From the reggae Too Late to Lie, to collaborations like Fry Plantain with Joey Bada$$ and Romantic Call with Masicka, Iké is painting a broad canvas, and she’s doing it with intention.
“My previous body of work – The ExPerience. I called it The ExPerience because I knew that, at the point when people heard me first, they heard Gotti Gotti, they heard Biggest Fan, they heard Second Chance, and so automatically you’re placed in a reggae box,” she explained.
“I love reggae music, to my heart and soul, and it’s always going to be the foundation of what I do, but I can’t deny that I enjoy Toni Braxton’s music, Lauryn Hill’s music. I probably have a one song from Cardi B that I listen to as well. So, it’s like I’m just creating accordingly. So, with this album, it’s called Treasure Self Love. It’s a mixture of different sounds. I’m just trying to get people to understand that they should just expect good music,” said Iké.
One of the people who saw Iké’s potential early was Protoje. Reflecting on that first meeting, he recalled her performing two songs – including The Biggest Fan – which later became her first single.
“The first night when me meet har, and she DJ two chune fimme, one tune named The Biggest Fan, I called my mother right away, because my mother runs my label,” he shared. “And I said, ‘Yo, I hear this girl and she’s going to be crazy, we have to work with her.’ I never planned to work with no more artistes at the time, but I said I have to work with her.”
Since then, Protoje has watched her evolve from a hopeful talent from Christiana, Manchester, to a force on the global reggae stage.
“I’m just proud,” he said. “Just proud of her in everything. She’s a person who’s overcome so much in her life, you have no idea! I’m always glad to see her get the love and live her dream, so it’s always a joy to see her.”
The mentorship continues as the two prepare to release albums in close succession. Protoje revealed that they will also collaborate on a track for Iké’s project. The track, to be released on Emancipation Day, August 1, weeks before Iké’s long-awaited album set for release on August 22.
For Protoje, the night wasn’t just about watching his protégé soar. His own set – including fan favourites like Rasta Love, Blood Money, Kingston Be Wise, Like Royalty and Who Knows – received roaring sing-alongs from the crowd. Still, ever the perfectionist, he gave himself an 8.3 out of 10 rating for his performance on stage.
“The crowd gwan good ino. It was a great show and a good energy,” he said. “But I know what’s possible, and I know I can still improve.”
That drive for growth is something he’s passed on to Iké.
“He taught me to consistently work on my craft, never get comfortable, never think that you’ve made it, always be open to learn, and never ever tune into the noise,” she said. “That’s one of the best lessons I’ve learned.”
Protoje, ever so hardworking, is set to hit the road again soon.
“I will just chill for the [Sumfest] weekend, den me go on tour next week, and then we jus work till like September, until we get a break,” he told The Gleaner on Sunday morning.
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