Rising alt-R&B singer-songwriter ilham makes a powerful statement with her latest single, “roster,” released yesterday vis The Orchard. Co-produced by NAMI (Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, Travis Scott) and GRAMMY-winning producer Kevin “Kofo” Ekofo (Wizkid, Firdayy, Khalid, Burna Boy), the track arrived alongside a stunning visual directed by Cass Myers (SZA, SadBoi).
Marking her first release of 2025, “roster” blends distorted string, ethereal synths, and sultry R&B melodies to explore the emotional complexity of letting go of a relationship that refuses to stay gone. In the accompanying New York City skyline-set music video, ilham is seen captivating the attention of potential romantic interests, reclaiming her power and stepping into an era of self-assurance.
Speaking about the song’s inspiration, ilham shares:
“I wrote ‘roster’ freshly heartbroken, wanting to create a song that offered some escapism. I was just tired of being sad and hearing that in my music, so one day I walked into a session and said, ‘Sometimes I wish I wasn’t such a lover girl.’ We wrote the song imagining a more empowered version of myself. Even if I didn’t feel that way in my reality, I wanted myself and the listener to feel in control, confident, and on top of the world. I think everyone deserves to feel that way, even if it’s just for a moment.”
With “roster,” ilham effortlessly balances vulnerability with empowerment, creafting a liberating breakup anthem that flips the script on heartbreak.
“roster” follows ilham’s highly anticipated return in 2024 after a two-year hiatus, during which she independently released “uhm… ok?” Premiering globally as an exclusive on Zane Lowe’s Apple Music 1 show, the track garnered over 3 million streams and landed placements on Spotify’s Fresh Finds: Best of 2024, POLLEN, and the first-ever Sexy Drill playlist. The song’s viral On The Radar performance amassed 20 million views on Twitter for 6 million TikTok views, cementing ilham’s presence as a force to be reckoned with.
Building on this momentum, she dropped “games,” a modern siren song about reclaiming their power in love. The track was praised by The New York Times and The FADAR, with the latter declaring:
“The time off seems to have coincided with a stylistic reset, as she returns with a hungry vengeance and a completely revitalized sound. ‘games,’ the second release of her newly independent era, is a sharp dismissal of the players of love, sung with such sweet, acerbic sting that, the second the music fades, you can almost picture her walking away.”
Now, with “roster,” ilham continues to redefine modern R&B, bringing an unapologetic voice to the genre.
Raised in New York City’s Queensbridge Housing Projects, ilham defied the odds to carve out a career in music. As the daughter of Moroccan immigrants, she draws from her North African heritage while blending it with new-age soul and alternative R&B.
Inspired by Aaliyah, Ashanti, and Michael Jackson, ilham studied music theory at LaGuardia High School of Music & Arts before graduating early from Cornell University. Her 2018 EP, 41-10, featured collaborations with Dave East and Arin Ray, catching the attention of Billboard, The FADAR, and Issa Rae, who featured her song “none of your friends in business” in HBO’S “Insecure.” In 2019, her follow-up EP, with time, hit #1 on the iTunes R&B chart, drawing praise from Joe Budden, Travis Mills, and French Montana. Ilham has worked with producers like London on da Track, TBHits, and The Fisticuffs, while also making her festival debut at Day N Vegas and Sol Blume Festival.
To date, ilham has amassed over 33 million streams, with support from NPR, Marie Claire, Vogue Arabia, Essence, Hypebeast, Arabia, Hypebae, and more.
With her sultry vocals, evocative storytelling, and bold sonic evolution, ilham is redefining the alt-R&B landscape. As she continues to embrace her independence, “roster” signals the start of an unstoppable era for the rising star.
With “roster,” ilham is setting the tone for a powerful new chapter—and the world is listening.
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