Music Releases
Alan Walker & Salem Ilese Team Up on New Single, “Fake a Smile”
Acclaimed DJ and producer Alan Walker has released his new single, “Fake a Smile,” featuring 21-year-old pop singer and songwriter Salem Ilese, who exploded onto the scene in 2020 with her viral hit “Mad at Disney.”
Ilese’s honest and vulnerable lyrics shine through on the hypnotic track, which is distinguished by Walker’s unique production style. As the song builds to an emotional crescendo, Ilese sings “you’re like heaven when I’m in hell, so I fake a smile.”
“Fake a Smile” to me is a song about the people in your life that have the power to pull you out of your darkest moments. Those are the people I keep closest to my heart and whom I wanted to acknowledge in this song. I’m honored to be a part of this song with Alan Walker!” – Sam Ilese
The single follows Walker’s latest release “Sorry”, a collaboration with ISÁK that came out January 29. “Fake a Smile” is accompanied by a music video, which offers a suspenseful continuation of the story introduced in the “World of Walker” trailer released in December 2020.