UK artist Sefflon Don announces June 14, 2024 as the release date for her debut album “Island 54” via 54 LDN/BMG.
The album will feature a blend of Afrobeats and Dancehall, reflecting Stefflon’s Caribbean heritage and the 54 countries of Africa.
The 20-track project includes collaborations with Reggae/Dancehall singer Buju Banton and artist/producer BEAM. The track “Dweet,” featuring Banton, showcases Stefflon Don’s signature heavy-hitting Jamaican sound. The album also features the previously released single “What’s Poppin’” with BNXN.
Stefflon Don signed a partnership with BMG to release Island 54, which has seen several delays.
The UK will be a key focus for the album’s promotion, leveraging BMG’s previous successes with reggae and other music according to a statement to World Music Views.
Born in Birmingham to Jamaican parents, Stefflon grew up in The Netherlands and London and ranks as the most-streamed female dancehall artist globally, boasting 2.5 billion lifetime streams on Spotify.
No other dancehall artist in the UK boasts as many music certifications as the “Boasty” rapper/deejay, tallying an impressive total of 10. This achievement also marks the highest number of certifications for any female Jamaican artist or descendant. Across the pond in the US, she’s earned a 6x Latin Platinum certification from the RIAA (equivalent to 360,000 units) for her collaborative hit “Bum Bum Tam Tam” with Mc Fioti, Future, J Balvin, and Juan Magan. Furthermore, the track has reached Diamond status in France (250,000 units) and Platinum in Spain (40,000 units).
The 32-year-old artist, (real name Stephanie Allen), gained widespread recognition with her breakout single “Hurting Me,” featuring French Montana, which peaked at number 7 on the UK singles chart. Additionally, her collaboration “Instruction” with Jax Jones featuring Demi Lovato reached number 3 on the UK Dance chart.
Stefflon Don’s success extends beyond her music career into the realm of business. She holds the distinction of being the first female figure in dancehall to own her masters and secure a label deal with Universal.
Her other accolades include winning a MOBO and NME Award for Best New Artist in 2017, as well as receiving a nomination for a BET Award in 2018 for Best International Act.
While she may not aspire to the title of Queen of Dancehall, Stefflon Don undeniably serves as a blueprint for achieving international recognition in the streaming era while remaining rooted in dancehall music.
She told Anthony Miller on ER that despite her international success with dancehall music, “I would not call myself Queen of the Dancehall. Listen, Spice has that title and so be it. She deserves it. She’s been in the game a long time, from when she was young, and she’s still killing it. I’m not the Queen of no Dancehall”
She continued, “I don’t just do Dancehall, I do a lot of other genres. So I do not claim that title at all – even if my numbers are more than anybody else’s.”
Here’s the full tracklist:
- Top Toppa
- Dweet / Come Outside (Ft. Buju Banton)
- Money Grip (Ft. Beam)
- Dilemma (Ft. Sidhu Moose Wala, GuiltyBeatz, Steel Banglez)
- Solo / Tartaria
- You Got Me F’d Up
- Desire (Ft. Tayc)
- Protect Me
- Bulletproof
- I Am Woman
- What’s Poppin’ (Ft. BNXN)
- Aspen
- Problems In Paradise (Ft. James Gillespie)
- Brothers POV
- Madame Moiselle (Ft. DBE)
- Intergalactic
- Dem Evil
- Different Sides (Ft. Adekunle Gold)
- Control
- We Build
