Spice is the internationally acclaimed queen of dancehall. This award-winning artist inspired the world to embrace dancehall with her stunning performances and empowering lyrics.
Born and raised in Portmore, Jamaica, Spice took her love for her culture and people to a new level by bringing her Jamaican roots to VH1’s “Love and Hip Hop.” In 2021, she achieved international fame thanks to her collaboration with Shaggy and Sean Paul with the hit record “Go Down Deh!”
Tell us about when you learned you were nominated for Best Reggae Album of the Year.
I was at home in Atlanta with my family and kids filming “Love and Hip Hop” when I heard the news, and I remember running down the stairs and screaming. My mother, my other half and my sister were here, so it was that moment when everyone was just proud, and it was very emotional. I was crying and thinking ‘oh my god me!’ I felt so humbled and grateful for the nomination.
What does this mean for you and for Caribbean culture and the dancehall and reggae music scene?
It means a lot. This one is special because dancehall as a genre doesn’t get much recognition. People only recognize reggae music, even though dancehall was born out of reggae music, they are still two separate genres. I’m the first female hardcore dancehall artist to be nominated for a Grammy and for culture it means a lot to be recognized by the Recording Academy as a woman in this genre. This has never been done before. I’m opening doors and creating a pathway for all the other talented female dancehall artists that are in Jamaica. It is a great accomplishment.
What’s so iconic about your album tenand why the number 10?
Number 10 came from being signed to my label for 10 years. There is a recorded history of the label and back and forth on the direction of my brand. At first we didn’t agree and I broke up. I was producing for myself, I became my own label, I was my own manager and I created my own team.
It took 10 years for me and my team to finally say, let’s get together and make this album, and so this number 10 is a big milestone for me. It means a lot to my journey, so I wanted to take this number with me because I want to be reminded that it took 10 years.
What is your Super Power?
My superpower is to make a meal out of anything or make a meal out of nothing. I think I got that from my mom. If I walk into the kitchen and someone else comes over and says “there’s nothing to cook here”, I can find you a full meal from whatever is in the kitchen.
