Alemeda Owns Her Story at Metro Chicago
Photo by LUCY NGUYEN
Born in Ethiopia and known by her stage name, Alemeda, Rahema Shifa Alamed is a 25-year-old singer-songwriter hailing from Phoenix, Arizona. Alemeda first caught widespread attention by independently releasing her debut single, "Gonna Bleach My Eyebrows," in 2021, which has since garnered over 14 million streams. In September 2024, she released her debut EP, "FK IT," featuring eight tracks: "I Hate Your Face," "Don’t Call Me," "Guy’s Girl," "First Love Song," "Gonna Bleach My Eyebrows," "Below the Belt," "Not Asking for Much," and the standout track, "I Already Dug Your Grave."
On May 20, 2025, I had the pleasure of reviewing and photographing Alemeda's compelling performance as she opened for Rachel Chinouriri on the All I Ever Asked For Was A North American Tour at Metro Chicago.
Alemeda immediately captivated the audience by opening her set with "Gonna Bleach My Eyebrows." This song powerfully articulates her personal growth, as evidenced by lyrics like, "Here you are finally saying you love me. Four months ago that woulda been lovely…I’m a new b*tch with a new style…and I finally feel alive now." These lines beautifully convey her journey of transformation and disinterest in a past love once she found herself. The track's synth-like melodic loop created a dreamy, bubbly atmosphere that perfectly complemented her vocals. Throughout the song, Alemeda energized the crowd, prompting them to sing along to the undeniably catchy phrase, "I Don’t Care."
Shifting to themes of anger and frustration, Alemeda then transitioned into "I Hate Your Face," a raw expression of irritation where "their ignorance makes me wanna suffocate." She followed this with an unreleased track, "America’s Next Top Hater," which she humorously introduced as being inspired by someone who "pissed me off," even quoting the infamous Tyra Banks line, "I have never in my life yelled at a girl like this." From the moment the music started, Alemeda's stage presence was electrifying, complete with hair flips, lying on the ground, and energetic dancing. This unreleased song, with her powerful belting of "I hate her," is a personal favorite because of its danceability.
Next, Alemeda introduced "First Love Song," sharing that writing a love song had always been a challenge for her. This track perfectly encapsulates the nuanced emotions of falling in love—the constant questioning, the "what do I do’s," the hesitation, longing, and the struggle to communicate desires. These are all highly relatable feelings that resonate deeply with listeners.
Her EP's standout, "I Already Dug Your Grave," delves into the process of moving on from a relationship and reflecting on a past partner's actions. Lyrics such as "Do you regret the things you’ve done, you never thought I’d cut you off, I never thought so too," illustrate the impact of past lies and the revelation in seeing the partner’s true colors. Alemeda humorously set up the song by joking about her therapist's disapproval of her coping mechanism, eliciting laughter from the crowd. This track's infectious catchiness and danceable rhythm make it a personal favorite, as I fully endorse her unique approach to healing.
Photo by LUCY NGUYEN
Alemeda then performed "Guy’s Girl," a song about a friendship breakup that was once believed to be lifelong. The phrase "I should’ve known you were a guy’s girl" refers to someone who prioritizes male attention and fails to value other relationships. Alemeda expresses disappointment at this person's inability to change because they remain blinded by their idea of love. The song builds from a simple two-chord guitar loop, gradually increasing in tempo before the drums enter at the halfway mark, and concludes with an incredible guitar solo.
Slowing the pace, Alemeda delivered "I’m Over It," a deeply touching song about a loved one's struggle with drug addiction. The track portrays her heartbreaking journey of trying everything to help them. Her masterful use of vocal techniques conveyed a profound sense of vulnerability and sentimentality, allowing for a deep emotional connection with her and her story.
As her set neared its end, Alemeda performed "Don’t Call Me," which echoes the themes of "I Already Dug Your Grave." This song addresses a toxic, manipulative relationship, showcasing her strength in moving on and seeing through their harmful patterns. It's a powerful declaration of cutting all ties, making it clear she desires no further contact. Alemeda concluded her performance with the unreleased track, "Happy With You," which explores the realization of toxic tendencies. Her unique vocal techniques once again shone through, particularly when singing "I could be happy with you…you," further highlighting the distinctiveness of her voice.
Photo by LUCY NGUYEN
Throughout her set, Alemeda performed six songs from her EP and three unreleased tracks. This carefully curated setlist powerfully showcased her remarkable ability to tell compelling stories through her distinctive blend of alt-pop and alt-rock, undeniably demonstrating the depth of her artistic talent. Alemeda’s performance at Metro Chicago was a testament to her rising star power. Her ability to seamlessly transition between themes of self-love, anger, heartbreak, and resilience, all while maintaining an engaging and energetic stage presence, solidifies her as an artist to watch. The raw honesty in her lyrics, coupled with her innovative musical arrangements, created an unforgettable experience. Alemeda is not just a singer-songwriter, but a captivating storyteller who effortlessly embraces her vulnerability and transforms it into powerful, relatable tracks.
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