Interview: Spice Talks Third Album ‘Mirror 25,’ Vybz Kartel’s Release, And More
Queen of Dancehall Spice has released her third studio album, Mirror 25, as part of her silver anniversary in music. Besides the celebratory aspect, she says it will introduce her “besties” to new sides of her.
“I would describe it as my most diverse project yet. It’s 25 songs dabbling into a lot of different sounds; new sounds, as well, that the fans have never heard me dabbling into before. It’s a very diverse album,” she told DancehallMag.
Spice executive produced the project, which features collaborations from Ky-Mani Marley, Busta Rhymes, Lola Brooke, Pamputtae, Jada Kingdom, Patoranking, and Chronic Law.
With such an expansive track list, Spice— whose real name is Grace Hamilton— noted that fans will hear some international sounds being emanated.
“It’s a Dancehall album, but, I’ve included other sounds into it. I would say it’s still a Dancehall album, but I’ve included other sounds and genres,” she said.
Spice has had four albums on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart, including her sophomore studio project, Emancipated (2022), which peaked at No. 7. Released independently, it included songs such as Clap Clap, Tape Measure, and Pop Off.
Her Grammy-nominated debut album, 10 (2021), was released under VP Records. It peaked at No. 6 on the Reggae Albums chart and included songs such as Go Down Deh with Shaggy and Sean Paul, Send It Up, So Mi Like It, and Frenz.
The singer’s Captured Mixtape (2018) peaked at No. 1 on the Reggae Albums chart, while her So Mi Like EP (2014) peaked at No. 14.
Her success is undeniable, and the officially crowned Queen of Dancehall said that her journey has been filled with ebbs and flows over the last 25 years. Nonetheless, she believes she has withstood the tides of a dynamic industry to thrive into the talent she is.
“Two decades is not a small thing. I tell people all the time, it’s a very big thing. For me, I’m all grateful to be in a male-dominated business, and an ever-growing genre because I feel like Dancehall is full to the capacity of so many great talents. So, to have started so long and still be relevant after two decades is a humbling experience. I’m grateful, and I just feel like I’m a part of an evolution,” she said.
Spice added: “I remember when I started out, I used to doing my CDs and walk around and give it to taxi men and bus drivers just to get my voice out there. Now, I have social media. It’s just like being a part of an evolution.”
Dancehall fans worldwide know that Spice and Vybz Kartel have a close-knit relationship. According to her, her allegiance to Kartel— who was just released from prison— will never change because he gave her the big break.
“With Vybz Kartel, I feel like he played a major role in my career. Romping Shop was my first major international record song. It hit the Billboard, and it’s a worldwide anthem. Sometimes people wonder why I’m so loyal to Vybz Kartel, but I tell them all the time that Romping Shop literally fed a whole nation. That song gave me a giant jump in my career. Even coming out of Unruly Fest, I played one of his songs and the whole place lift up,” she told DancehallMag.
Meanwhile, as for So Mi Like It, which was recently certified Gold in Canada, she believes the achievement was a long time coming.
“For me, So Mi Like It is one of my biggest records. It was the first to hit 100 million streams on YouTube by a hardcore female Dancehall artist. I already know that it would’ve done great. I’m surprised it’s not platinum by now. But, that song has just had a global impact,” she said.