Pop-rock is alive and well in 2026. Right in the middle of it all, proving that she’s one to watch this year, is Alemeda. With last year’s EP, But What The Hell Do I Know?, Alemeda demanded attention with her bold voice and electrifying melodies. Mixing Y2K-style wit with a rock edge is not easy to do, but Alemeda is paving her own path in the genre. It’s caught our attention. And it should catch yours too.
FK IT
Alemeda has been steadily gaining attention since her 2021 single ‘Gonna Bleach My Eyebrows,’ which ended up on her 2024 EP FK IT. Between the two releases, Alemeda left no question: she has more than a few tricks up her sleeve. From bedroom pop with an edge to fearless pop-punk, FK IT defies stereotypes and declares that Alemeda is defining her own music. Her indie, pop, and rock influences seamlessly blend into a sound that is uniquely her. Songs like ‘Don’t Call Me’ and ‘Guy’s Girl’ stand out in their unflinching storytelling, tying the EP together in its exploration of life, friendship, and self-reflection.
But What The Hell Do I Know
After what seemed like an unbeatable debut EP, Alemeda was far from done. In fact, if possible, she got better. But What The Hell Do I Know captures the messiness of your 20s, coming from the perspective of an eldest daughter in an East African family, growing up between Ethiopia and Arizona. Reflecting on her life up to this point, these seven tracks show off both her defiant confidence and her vulnerability. Opening with ‘Happy With You’ immediately solidifies her strength in both areas. As she muses on self-sabotage and toxicity, she first shows off her silky smooth vocals, and then takes a turn towards her heavier rock side. After a journey through self-discovery, she lands on perhaps her most vulnerable track: ‘I’m Over It.’ With ‘I’m Over It,’ Alemeda confronts the reality of losing a friendship. Stripped of her usual high-energy production, she allows her intimate lyrics to do the talking.
Simply put: she’s a rockstar.
But Where The Hell Should I Go
And there’s more! Alemeda is taking her killer EP But What The Hell Do I Know on the road! Starting in February, you have the chance to see your favorite anthems live on the But Where The Hell Should I Go Tour. Before she sets off, we had the chance to talk to Alemeda about her music, what we can expect on tour, and of course, her most important supporters: her cats.
Welcome to the Honey Pop! First, we want to know what the hell you do know. Do you have a favorite fun fact you’d like to share?
I’m a cat mom and I love to cook!
Have your cats heard your music? Do you think they like it?
Mr. Cinnamon and Mr. Truffles love my music. I perform all my songs for them before anyone else hears them.
Living and recording in LA, have you found it at all difficult to stand out in such a major culture hub? How have you navigated that?
Not really. I’ve been in LA for six years now, so I find it all pretty easy to navigate at this point.
You’re heading out on tour in February! Do you find yourself imagining any aspects of tour while you’re working on your music?
Yes, when I write songs, I always think about how I’ll perform them live.
On previous tours, you’ve performed a lot of unreleased music. Is there anything in a performance of an unreleased song that lets you know it has to be released?
Yes, I usually ask the crowd to let me know how they feel about the songs. And the songs people remember and ask for give me a good idea of what to release.
Have there been any songs that you’ve changed your mind on after performing? Either you weren’t planning on releasing it, and the response convinced you to, or the other way around?
Not yet. By the time I perform them, most of the new songs are already on their way to being released.
‘I’m Over It’ is such a vulnerable song. What is it like to see people in your crowds connecting with songs that are so personal to you?
It means a lot to me. I’ve had people tell me how much they relate to the stories behind my songs, and it always feels super meaningful.
You previously opened for Rachel Chinouriri on tour. Were there any traditions or rituals you’ll take with you on this tour?
Just the vocal warm-ups and playing uno.
Speaking of Rachel Chinouriri, we’re obsessed with the collabs with her and Doechii. How did those come to be?
Doechii and I are labelmates and we wrote the song together four years ago. Rachel and I met through Twitter but I was already a longtime fan of hers.
Do you have a favorite city or venue you’ve played?
London and Montreal were my favorite cities!
How about a dream venue?
Hollywood Bowl.
Thanks for chatting with us! To finish off, what can fans expect from this tour?
Unreleased music, and just lots of fun.
Lots of fun is something we know our readers can’t resist. So if Alemeda is headed to a city near you, grab a ticket here! In the meantime, check out her music if you haven’t yet. And then chat with us about it on our socials. You can find us at @thehoneypop on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Happy listening!
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ALEMEDA:
INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE
