Hip hop and pop melt together with bolero, reggaeton and caribbean folk music in the artistic universe of rising Puerto Rican pop sensation iLe. Elegantly mixing diverse musical influences with politicized lyrics, iLe is ready to charm her way into the hearts and minds of new audiences. In September, ALICE is looking forward to presenting a uniquely intimate show with the Puerto Rican superstar at Stairway in Vanløse. Ela Lung plays the opening act.

iLe is the stage name of singer, songwriter and rapper Ileana Mercedes Cabra Joglar. Before her solo career she was a singer and rapper with Calle 13. (She is Visitante’s [Eduardo Cabra Joglar] sister, and Residente’s [Rene Perez Joglar] stepsister.) iLe’s sound is continually evolving, but rooted in classic Latin styles from across the Americas. Her 2016 solo debut offering, iLevitable, was a meticulously crafted set of boleros and folk-inspired retro-pop songs that showcased her old-school singing. It earned her a Latin Grammy nomination for best new artist, and won a Grammy for best Latin rock, urban, or alternative album. 2019’s Almadura differed from its predecessor through a canny use electronics alongside Afro-Caribbean and traditional Puerto Rican root sounds. 2022’s Nacarile juxtaposed sounds from both records and went farther. Her third long-player included wildly diverse collaborations with Flor de Toloache, Natalia Lafourcade, Mon Laferte, Ivy Queen, and others.

Her 2016 debut album, “iLevitable,” won a Grammy Award for “Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album.” NPR called her second album, “Almadura,” “an ode to Puerto Rico, an homage to its history and a plea for political action.”

Touring with her nine-piece band, she sings Afro-Caribbean rhythms and boleros with a bite, taking on issues of machismo and patriarchy. Backed by a driving drum section, she uses “bomba” y “plena,” “rumba” and “palo” (traditional rhythms) to address colonialism and Puerto Rican empowerment.

Ela Lung

A croak echoes from a buzzing bog, through the city’s mists and into Ela Lung’s computer. There’s a love story to tell, a sad and confused one. But Lung has used music and words to lean into the whisper of emotions, seeking out Froggy, who relentlessly croaks his beautiful lament. She gives voice to Froggy and sings back.

Ela Lung is looking forward to inviting you into her delicate universe of crystalline synth strings, guitar, and glockenspiel. With the help of Sunneva Kappel on double bass, she will share the story of her beloved Froggy and give you an update on her narrative, as new friends have influenced the plot, which can also be heard on the EP “My Froggytale.”