Three years after With Time, ilham returns with a new self-titled EP. It marks the rising singer/songwriter’s first project for Def Jam.
Ilham was executive produced by DannyBoyStyles and features additional co-production from him, Bizness Boi, The Fisticuffs, Julez Jadon, SVRN, Blake Straus, and NinetyFour, among others.
The vibey EP possesses a breezy synergy that takes listeners through intimate stories of love and lust told from ilham’s perspective.
Part of the tracklist is “Gang Signs,” the first single she released under her new deal. She shared its supporting music video, which Lauren Dunn directed. It was shot in ilham’s Queensbridge neighborhood.
An EP standout, “Show,” contains a dramatic yet straightforward production. At the same time, its lyrics feature the honeyed-voiced singer telling her partner to make good on their pleasure promises.
“Hype,” which features Vory, is ear candy. It finds ilham weaving across a flowing production that builds during the chorus and surrounds the two as they complement each other.
“I was always writing from a director’s standpoint,”says ilham. “My writing amplified those experiences. I never experienced true love—until I started writing this project.”
In celebration of the EP’s release, ilham drops an official video for the euphonious song “Corazón,” featuring French Montana.
The song itself has a sample of Cassie’s breakthrough hit “Me & U,” and she also stars while Karrueche directs the video.
Listen to ilham’s new EP below.