Jamaica is well known for associating meals with weekdays—for instance, soup on Saturday and rice and peas on Sunday-Monday. With the release of this song, Lila Iké completes the weekend food itinerary with fry plantain on Sunday morning. The young reggae sensation is coming off her recent CMA win for Artist of the Year 2024 and looks to propel more wins as she drops the sizzling record “Fry Plantain” on November 22, 2024, which features hip-hop’s finest, Joey Bada$$.
The music video was directed by DJUVII and released simultaneously with the record to amplify the lyrics and showcase the simplicity and diversity of Caribbean lifestyle. Set mainly in a kitchen and dining room, the video captures the two artists ensuring the plantains don’t burn while highlighting typical traditions and food items found in a traditional Jamaican household. The artists participate in meal preparation and groove to good music. Throughout the shots, viewers can spot staple Jamaican homegrown food items such as ackee, plantain, escallion, green banana, seasoning, coconut, yam, and mint leaves, alongside typical kitchen utensils.
The creativity and visual appeal extend further as the music video reveals diverse Jamaican cooking techniques, including a makeshift stove used to fry plantain and roast breadfruit. This traditional cooking method, predominantly used in previous decades, resonates with many—much like a “Black Barbecue”—as people continue to cherish and preserve these culinary traditions.
Beyond cooking and food, the video showcases the scenic beauty of majestic mountainsides, rocky riversides, and a stylish street-side stall. The stall boasts an array of potteries, scarves, armbands, crochet bikinis, shorts, tops, and other souvenirs adorned in the iconic Jamaican colors of black, green, gold, and red.
The lyrics underscore the significance of preserving Black and Jamaican cooking traditions and the importance of home-grown food. Powerful lines like “What we eat have the power to heal or to kill” and “You like Soul food to me, the other girls Applebee’s” drive home this message.
The artistic video’s success is evident in its impressive metrics: over 470,000 views, 17,000 likes, and more than 1,000 comments. A notable comment from popular reggae artist Protoje hints at a potential album in the works.
Before the album, Lila has launched an exciting project. Via her Instagram page, she announced “Fry Plantain and Chill,” a series taking place every Sunday, celebrating the record’s release. The series aims to create an environment where fans can enjoy live music while savoring traditional Jamaican meals.
Watch Lila Iké ft. Joey Bada$$ “Fry Plantain” music video above this article
