Alicai Harley

Born Leslieann Alicia Harley in Kingston, Jamaica in 1996 and raised in South London, Alicaì Harley makes music that combines bold beats, dancehall vibes, hip-hop, and R&B. She started writing her own songs at the age of 12, and began cleaning up at open mic competitions as a teenager, eventually turning to social media to deliver her music to a bigger audience. Her breakout came in 2017 with her debut single, “Gold,” an infectiously catchy, dreamily produced track that conjured the summery love Harley rapped about over its sexy, intricate beats. In 2018, “Naah Done” followed—a sparse, percussion-forward pop blast—along with the murkier “Proper Paper,” a shadowy tune that highlights her soulful voice and easy-flowing raps in equal measure. Those gifts have made her one of the UK pop scene’s resident dynamos, and 2021’s explosive “I Just Wanna Know” bolstered that reputation.