Album Review: Treasure Self Love by Lila Iké
With Treasure Self Love, Lila Iké proves that the wait for her debut album was well worth it. The record encircles five years of growth, delivering a statement about finding strength within oneself.
Arriving five years after her breakout 2020 EP The ExPerience, Lila Iké has firmly established herself as one of reggae’s brightest new voices, so this first full-length project carries high expectations. From its very title, Treasure Self Love centers on the journey toward self-worth and inner healing. Iké herself has described the album as being “about love, it’s about emotions, it’s about mental health,” reflecting on the challenges she’s overcome and the growth she’s achieved. This introspective theme is woven through the record’s lyrics. On the deeply personal track “Serious,” for example, Iké delivers a spoken-word poem that essentially crystallizes the album’s message of self-love. “My whole life I’ve searched for a feeling, one that mirrors my soul… Today I found that treasure within myself… The purest love I know is through my own work of art. Treasure self love,” she declares, turning her hard-won self-acceptance into a mantra. It’s a goosebump-raising moment that accents the emotional maturity driving this project.
The album’s arc reinforces this healing journey. It opens with “Scatter,” an impassioned, almost prayer-like intro built on a dynamic reggae beat. Here Iké reaches back to reggae’s roots for strength – literally sampling a spoken invocation from Peter Tosh and echoing a devotional chorus from the late Garnett Silk. The track’s militant energy and spiritual references set a tone of resilience, as if Iké is calling on ancestral guidance to “let Jah arise and let enemies be scattered”. The mood softens into acceptance and calm during the album’s end on “Love in a Lovely Way,” a gentle closer that even features archival vocals from Garnett Silk’s “Place In Your Heart” woven into the mix. The progression from Scatter’s fiery invocation to Love in a Lovely Way’s sweet serenity mirrors Iké’s path toward healing: from struggle and prayer to inner peace. In between, she balances confidence and vulnerability on solo cuts like “Too Late to Lie” and the tender “Sweet,” pushing reggae into personal new territory. Every song, even the bouncy or sultry ones, ties back to honest self-expression. The overarching lesson is clear by the finale, as the saying goes, you must love yourself before you can truly love anyone else.
While Treasure Self Love is a deeply personal statement, Lila Iké amplifies her message by teaming with an eclectic cast of collaborators who each bring out a different facet of her artistry. “He Loves Us Both,” featuring Grammy-winning R&B star H.E.R., is a bold exploration of an unconventional love triangle. Over a velvety R&B-reggae groove, Iké and H.E.R. harmonize about sharing the affections of one man, challenging listeners to broaden their perspectives on love. “Yes, this sounds strange for sure, but don’t be too quick to judge,” Iké sings, addressing a relationship dynamic often deemed taboo. The song’s compassionate tone and the chemistry between the two singers make this a standout moment, a heartfelt conversation in song that tackles jealousy and insecurity with surprising maturity. It’s rare for reggae to get into polyamorous themes, and Iké’s willingness to do so (from a woman's point of view, no less) shows her growth and courage as a songwriter.
On “Fry Plantain,” Iké links up with Brooklyn rap virtuoso Joey Bada$$ for one of the album’s most playful and flavorful tracks. The title might suggest something as simple as a Sunday meal, but the song cleverly flips domestic imagery into flirtation. Iké’s lyrics invoke Jamaican staples like breadfruit and ackee, while Joey delivers easygoing verses, turning the act of cooking breakfast into a sly metaphor for simmering romance. The track “brings sex appeal to an average Sunday morning at home,” and sonically it rides a breezy blend of hip-hop and reggae, creating a perfect bridge between Iké’s island roots and Joey’s New York swagger. Their chemistry and the irresistible hook made the track an early fan favorite, even earning a nomination for Reggae Song of the Year at the Caribbean Music Awards. The accompanying video, shot in Jamaica, amplifies the charm, with Joey visibly enjoying himself alongside Iké in her home turf.
“All Over the World,” featuring reggae revival veteran Protoje, is another collaboration that finds Lila Iké honoring the past while embracing the present. The track’s chorus riffs on the classic “Top of the World” hook that traveled from a 1970 pop hit to a 1990s hip-hop anthem by Rascalz and Barrington Levy, and now to Iké’s 2025 rendition. By interpolating this well-worn melody, Iké links generations of music, and Protoje’s presence cements the song’s intergenerational appeal. The production gives the track a glossy, modern reggae feel, with a bubbling bassline and global pop polish supporting lyrics about unity and musical travel. It’s an uplifting anthem that wears its ‘90s nostalgia proudly yet fits right into current reggae playlists. In the accompanying video, Iké and Protoje trade verses from Jamaica to Paris to Tokyo, their styling and swagger celebrating reggae’s worldwide reach, capturing the album’s balance of heritage and progress—showing that Iké can reference a vintage hook without ever sounding dated.
Iké also isn’t afraid to venture into pure lovers-rock mode. “All That and More,” a collaboration with UK soul singer Maverick Sabre, glides in on a mellow, soulful groove. The duet serves as a gentle reminder to embrace authenticity in love. “Give me just the real thing,” Iké pleads in her silky alto, as Sabre’s falsetto echoes in agreement. The track’s message (that it’s okay to be “broken or whole” with your partner) reinforces the album’s self-love mantra, extending it to relationships. It’s a tender, slow-burning number that showcases Iké’s versatility; even in a classic R&B/reggae slow jam, she remains emotionally resonant and grounded. Producer Juls (known for his work with Afrobeats and R&B artists) and Jamaica’s own Dunw3ll give “All That and More” a warm, live-band feel, underlining the song’s earnest vibe.
The most buzzed-about pairing on the album, however, might be “Romantic” featuring dancehall star Masicka. This track is a deliberate throwback, with a modern reimagining of Patra’s 1994 dancehall hit “Romantic Call.” Iké and Masicka absolutely update the classic: instead of Patra trading flirtatious lines with an American rapper (Yo-Yo in the original), Iké flips the script into a duet with a male Jamaican deejay, creating a fresh male-female dynamic on the familiar hook. It pays homage to the ‘90s with its bouncy dancehall riddim, silky synth chords, and an infectious call-and-response chorus, yet it all sounds crisp and contemporary – a testament to how well Juls and Dunw3ll modernize the riddim without losing its retro charm. The visuals for “Romantic” drive the point home: the music video “drips in 90s nostalgia,” with Iké and her dancers rocking gold shimmers, mesh bodysuits, and Dancehall Queen–style outfits straight out of 1993. Even Patra herself makes a cameo in the intro and outro, giving her blessing as the original “Queen of the Pack.”
With Treasure Self Love, Lila Iké proves that the wait for her debut album was well worth it. The record encircles five years of growth, delivering a statement about finding strength within oneself. It arrives on the heels of Iké’s milestone Reggae Sumfest debut (her first solo set on Jamaica’s biggest stage), and it’s perfectly timed to cement her status as a rising reggae star. The album’s release at the tail end of summer also ranks it as a celebratory soundtrack—you can hear these songs igniting festival crowds and personal listening sessions alike. Critics and fans are already taking notice: Iké has garnered multiple nominations at the upcoming Caribbean Music Awards, including recognition for “Fry Plantain,” and this album will only amplify that momentum. With this mix of modern R&B, classic reggae, dancehall, and soulful singer-songwriter elements, Lila Iké positions herself at the forefront of where reggae is headed. Treasure Self Love pays homage to the greats who came before her, and boldly pushes the genre forward with authenticity and heart.
Standout (★★★★½)
Favorite Track(s): “Sweet,” “Romantic,” “He Loves Us Both,” “Serious”