Alimah performs lead guitar and rhythmic guitar, performing for her own music as well as collaborating with other artists. And as far as her mastery as a guitarist, I was inspired by the guitarists Jimi Hendrix, Ernie Isley, and Pat Metheny.
Hendrix’s “Crosstown Traffic” and “Are You Experienced” were two songs that greatly inspired how I imagined her guitar style, mainly for the haunting, atmospheric distortion he created, especially in “Are You Experienced”. Hendrix’s “Are You Experienced” made the most powerful impact on my creation of Alimah’s guitar technique in many of her darker rock songs. I wish I played guitar well enough to actually create a real-life trademark for her. 😆😜
My choice with Metheny and Hendrix is biased because they are two of my favorite guitarists of all time. Even though Metheny is a jazz guitarist, he has done many jazz-rock songs.
I am a huge fan of The Isley Brothers’ music from the 1970s. And I was greatly inspired by Ernie Isley’s solo from their rendition of “Summer Breeze” for Alimah’s technique (which begins at the 4:17 mark):
Other Inspirations
Alimah ultimately dreamed of being the first black woman to gain worldwide recognition in alternative rock, a predominately white, suburban male space. She came in with a style of alternative rock that represented her African-American/Ethiopian heritage, bringing in both urban and mainstream fans. However, she also loves performing alternative R&B and experimental, a genre indie and alternative rock can conveniently fit. Frank Ocean’s Blond, Tinashe’s Nightride, and Gaika‘s Heaters 4 the 2 Seaters were two albums easily sound like the kind of alternative R&B Alimah’s would perform—R&B with haunting sounds, dark piano, and dissonant grunge rock guitar with visceral lyrics.
Kenya Nelson | Writer 
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