Spice: Respect the Queen

 

Reigning Dancehall Queen, Spice, made her debut on Love & Hip-Hop Atlanta season 7. Caribbeans, and specifically Dancehall fans, were excited to see what she would add to the season given that she entered into the reality TV franchise at the height of her career.

 

Most of the cast for the show’s franchise is looking for a comeback, a come up or crossover; utilizing the opportunity to reach millions of people. Cardi B and Amara La Negra are great examples of people who used the platform to elevate their careers. While artists like Erica Mena and Joseline have yet to have a musical breakthrough. However, Spice wasn’t a new artist trying to come up, but rather a popular Dancehall artist looking to crossover into Hip-Hop.

 

Feeling your way into a new group of people and a new city is challenging, Spice dove right into building relationships with the ladies. The drama was expected, but after watching a few episodes while the cast welcomed her personality, it was unsure if they knew or respected her current role in music. This became clear during the reunion in her spat with Tommie as the two threw jabs at the reunion regarding their song together.

 

The Love & Hip-Hop producers need to fill the rest of the cast in on who exactly Spice is and what she has done for dancehall.

If I’m not mistaken, she’s the only cast member who can sell out shows by HERSELF, internationally.

— AGENT M 🔅 (@natmagloire) July 11, 2018

Music is Spice’s foundation. The hardcore dancehall DJ got her first hit over 10 years ago with “Fight Over Man” (2006) produced by Dave Kelly. She later went on to record “Romping Shop” (2008) with Vybz Kartel which placed both Dancehall artists on the Billboard Charts. Her breakout moment came with “Suh Mi Like It” (2013), her most popular song to date.

Lady Saw officially retired from Dancehall, leaving the spot for open for the next Queen of the Dancehall to take the reigns. Over the years she has kept a solid record in rotation since the start of her career, developed her stage presence and created an undeniable persona that fans dubbed her the Queen.

Spice tours endlessly, releases current dancehall music that bubbles globally and makes money from her musically talents, not just club walk-throughs, waist trainers and detox teas Click To Tweet

In 2018 alone Spice has managed to release a number of singles since the season 7 started airing including “Gum”, “Tick Tack”, “Under Fire”, “Duffle Bag”, “Brains & Beauty”, “Yasss Goodie (Steam Fish & Okra Body)” and the song with LHHATL cast mate Tommie “Imma Get It.” None of these songs were played in the series as part of the soundtrack (perhaps the LHHATL producers couldn’t get the clearance for the songs.)

Spice didn’t work with any of the music producers on the show, but we heard a small snippet of “Robot Wine” (a single released in 2017) while Tommie came into the studio to speak with Spice — when they were on good terms.  The duo premiered the video for the cast only at a private location as part of Tommie’s apology to the cast for her behavior. Spice and Tommie seemed to have made up, but unresolved issues bubbled over into social media and the Love & Hip-Hop Atlanta reunion show.

 

Let’s be clear, she’s the only artist in the franchise of her caliber. Spice tours endlessly, releases current dancehall music that bubbles globally and makes money from her musically talents, not just club walk-throughs, waist trainers and detox teas…she does that too, but it’s only been since the start of LHHATL that these revenue streams popped up on her Instagram feed.

 

The Dancehall songs release during the show airing has been well received by her core audience, but the Hip-Hop crossover hasn’t seemed to fully happen yet. The song with Tommie is a solid song and who knows where it could have gone if the ladies had actually promoted and performed it together.

 

While Spice gained some exposure to a new audience, Love & Hip Hop Atlanta fans didn’t get the essence of Spice. For us, she remains the reigning Queen of Dancehall and stage goddess…respect the queen. We hope she’ll be back next season fi dun di place.