Shenseea’s global adventures have not only broadened her horizons but also redefined what it means to be Jamaican. She embodies a new era of cultural fluidity, effortlessly creating music that resonates with audiences from all corners of the world.
Since her groundbreaking debut album, Alpha, the Interscope artist has faced numerous challenges and undergone significant personal growth, reflected in her evolving diction and vocabulary. She delivers radio hits with international acts like The Chainsmokers, all while dedicated to her role as a mother to her bright and lively eight-year-old son, who was featured on Alpha and introduces her sophomore set on the track Face Lift.
Now, with the anticipation surrounding her second major label project, Never Gets Late Here, Shenseea stands at the pinnacle of her career—a noteworthy achievement for any contemporary Jamaican artist.
The 27-year-old dancehall sensation, who has called the US home for the past two years, graciously agreed to an exclusive interview with WMV during her visit to Jamaica.
She arrives fashionably late, with her usual striking presence, the kind you would get from super models like Grace Jones. She was apologetic and courteous, looking like a picture perfect image from a fashion magazine cover with her hairstylist in tow. In our last face to face conversation in 2018 a young Shenseea, brimming with ambition and foresight, envisioned herself as the next third-world superstar, following in the footsteps of Rihanna and Bob Marley.
This time we talked about fashion, the Billboard 200 Charts, Grammys, being a mother and mending fences with producer Rvssian and much more. Despite her increasingly cosmopolitan aura, her music continues to evolve and find new audiences, as demonstrated by the Apple Music chart-topping success of her singles, ranging from “Lighter” with Tarrus Riley, surpassing 100 million views on YouTube, “Hit & Run” with Masicka and Di Genius charts in 50 countries and her collaboration “Honey Boy,” with Purple Disco Machine debuted at #2 on the Sweden Songs Chart last week and #1 on the Sweden iTunes Chart.
Reflecting on her journey, Shenseea acknowledges her growth, which includes her debut album Alpha peaking at #2 on the Billboard Reggae Albums Chart to become the highest-selling dancehall album of 2022, surpassing 60,000 in sales during the first year. Adding her Gold certifications for singles like “Blessed” with Tyga in Canada and “Pure Souls” with Kanye in the US, she is among the most successful Jamaican acts in the last five years.
Success brings distractions and detractors, but Shenseea remains focused on her fans. “I feel successful when I see everyone in the crowd singing my songs,” she says. “Releasing music and seeing how well it does, when I see everyone vibing and singing along, I love that feeling.”
Her fans have kept her relevant and supported her through all her seasons. In fact, she has more active fan pages on social media than any other Jamaican artist.
“Apart from that, it keeps me motivated to be in the studio and thinking what else can I speak to the audience with and make them feel like they are a part of my artistry and to make them relate to me as a person,” Shenseea said.
I got the sense that what seems like success for many, doesn’t feel entirely fulfilling for the MOBO award winning artist and that she has a deep desire to accomplish much more. She didn’t attend the Grammy ceremony despite being nominated for Album Of The Year through Kanye West’s Donda album (2021). Neither did Ye, who was banned from the ceremony that year, but Shenseea says she is awaiting a nomination for her own project to show up at the ceremony.
“I am on the way, I am not there yet, I feel like I have to win a Grammy and to just fill stadiums,” she says about her continued commitment to achieve great things the music industry. “I am just moving forth with my energy and just trying to let God lead me.”
She maintains that although her desire is to accomplish more, she wants to do things for the right reasons. “That’s what ruins and distracts a lot of artists too, you know, because they are so caught up and doing it for the wrong reason. Of course, we all want to win a Grammy, but if you focus on winning a Grammy you are only gonna feel bad in yourself like your work wasn’t enough to be nominated or win a Grammy.”
Looking ahead, the half-Korean singer on her father’s side is poised to explore new musical territories, including the burgeoning K-Pop market, building on her successful collaborations with Latin and Afrobeats artists.
She notes, “I am going to step into the K-Pop market, I am going for sure. We already started making some moves where that is concerned. I’m also pacing myself because I don’t want it to seem like I am half-Korean so I am entitled. I want to learn some words and have respect for the culture.” She adds that Korean snacks are now her favorite and its a good time to connect with her roots considering young Americans are now listening to more K-Pop than ever before according to a new study by Luminate.
“It doesn’t matter how long it takes, it will get to you once it’s yours,” Shenseea professed.
