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ilham is letting the world know she’s removing someone from her “roster,” and as a result, you may just find yourself doing the exact same!
In her catchy new single “roster,” the alt R&B artist describes someone who keeps returning despite the relationship already having come to an end. She provides a clear message to those who may have such tendencies… they should know better than to do such a thing!
“I wrote ‘roster’ freshly heartbroken, wanting to create a song that offered some escapism,” ilham says. “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.”
Growing up in New York City’s Queensbridge Housing Projects, ilham faced countless challenges in an unpredictable environment. She looked up to artists such as Aaliyah, Ashanti, and Michael Jackson, and studied music theory at LaGuardia High School of Music & Art. She went on to attend Cornell University and graduated early, which helped pave her path to becoming a true rising star. Her debut EP 41-10 was released in 2018, and garnered great acclaim from critics.
“roster” is ilham’s first release of the year, and follows the empowering single “games” and viral hit “uhm…ok?” One can only imagine ilham has more addicting tracks up her sleeve for 2025, so be sure to keep an eye out!
Listen to “roster” below, and follow ilham on Instagram @ilham.
Thumbnail photo credit – Cass Meyers
