Alemeda’s Mesmerizing Opening Act for Rachel Chinouriri at Wonder Ballroom
Words and photos by Jenny Shackleton
The audience at Wonder Ballroom was treated to a mesmerizing performance by Alemeda last week. Opening for Rachel Chinouriri, Alemeda captivated the audience with her unique blend of R&B, pop, and heavy guitar, creating a sound that is distinctly her own. The mix of warm orange and white lights really made her glow on stage, enhancing the emotional depth of her music. During songs like “Guy’s Girl,” a poignant track about a friend breakup, the crowd erupted in woops and cheers, especially during the lyric “I didn’t make you feel shitty like the guys that you dated.” It was clear that Alemeda’s raw and relatable storytelling resonated deeply with the audience.
Alemeda, born Rahema Shifa Alameda, is a Sudanese-Ethiopian singer-songwriter who has been making waves in the music industry since her debut single “Gonna Bleach My Eyebrows” went viral in 2021. Raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Alemeda’s journey to music was unconventional, growing up in a strict household where she was alienated from music until the age of 10. Her music blends hyper-contemporary aesthetics with nostalgic R&B vibes, exploring themes of love and relationships. Signed to Top Dawg Entertainment and Warner Records, Alemeda has continued to evolve her sound, drawing inspiration from artists like Coldplay, Rihanna, and Arctic Monkeys.
As soon as Alemeda started singing, it felt like we were witnessing the rise of a young SZA before she began selling out stadiums with Kendrick Lamar. Her powerful voice and emotive delivery left a lasting impression on everyone present. Alemeda’s mix of genres and her ability to connect with her audience suggest that we will be hearing much more from her in the future. Excitingly, she has a song coming out later this week on June 6th featuring the tour’s headliner and black indie pop queen Rachel Chinouriri, promising to be a collaboration that fans won’t want to miss.
Jenny Shackleton (she/her) is a photographer based in Portland, OR, originally hailing from Philadelphia, PA. Her love for live music started over 15 years ago after seeing the Jonas Brothers perform on their Burning Up tour in 2008 and the rest is history. As a naturally shy person, it’s surprising she feels so comfortable at concerts with hundreds of people attending, but has always believed that they are special, somewhat liminal, spaces. Everyone is there for the same reason: to have the best night and see artists pour their souls’ onto the stage. That is what Jenny likes to capture in her photos. Jenny enjoys spending time outside with her partner and their dog, watching movies, and owning way too many sneakers.