Ayetian, Lila Iké, Skillibeng, and DJ Khaled collab featured in Billboard’s Fresh Picks

Billboard’s monthly Fresh Picks spotlight Lila Iké’s opening track from her debut album, highlight Ayetian’s unstoppable rise, and feature DJ Khaled’s all-star lineup along with Skillibeng’s new collaboration with Moliy

Lila Ike, Ayetian and Skillibeng

While the entire Jamaica is caught up in the general election, Billboard’s monthly Reggae/Dancehall Fresh Picks continues to spotlight some of the freshest reggae and dancehall releases.

Lila Iké’s debut album Treasure Self Love earned a mention, particularly its opening track “Scatter,” a tribute to reggae legends Peter Tosh and Garnett Silk. She samples Tosh’s 1976 track “Igziabeher (Let Jah Be Praised)” and Silk’s hit “Complaint.” “A simple prayer that simultaneously grounds the album’s narrative of self-healing and consciously places Iké in the lineage of reggae’s foundational giants,” the editor wrote.

Billboard editors couldn’t overlook the meteoric rise of Ayetian, selecting his viral smash “Wah Yo Deh Pan” featuring Govana. Describing him as “one of the biggest breakout stars in dancehall this year,” they also noted that this one follows his hit “Tip.”

DJ Khaled’s massive dancehall collaboration “You Remind Me” also received a highlight. The track, featuring Vybz Kartel, Buju Banton, Bounty Killer, and Mavado, was praised: “Each artist delivers a different shade of reggae-rap delivery, from effortlessly flowing and toasting to harmonizing and crooning across the sun-streaked soundscape.” The editors also applauded the finesse of rising Belizean-Haitian singer Kaylan Arnold.

Dancehall star Skillibeng secured a spot for his new collaboration with Moliy, “Too Hot,” included on his International EP. “It’s clear ‘Too Hot’ is a very different intersection of the two talents from ‘Shake It to the Max,’” the editor noted.

Also featured was Jesse Royal, teaming up with Melanie Fiona for their heartfelt collab “Too Late,” from his No Place Like Home album. Other highlights included Skip Marley’s “In Our Sight” and Mr. Vegas’s “Call Tyrone” featuring Daddy U-Roy.