Spice (musician)

Spice

Spice performing during Reggae Sumfest, 2013
Background information
Birth name Grace Latoya Hamilton
Born (1982-08-06) 6 August 1982[1]
St. Catherine, Jamaica
Genres
Occupation(s)
Years active 2000–present
Labels VP Records
Associated acts

Grace Latoya Hamilton (born 6 August 1982),[2] known professionally as Spice, is a Jamaican dancehall recording artist, singer and songwriter.

Early life

Grace Latoya Hamilton was born in Portmore, St. Catherine, Jamaica on August 6, 1982. As a child, she used to attend her church regularly and sing in the choir. While a student in St. Catherine High School, she participated the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) music festival and earned several medals for her school.[3] She later started performing at local stage shows in her community and its environs. After graduating, she enrolled at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts to study music and drama.[4] Although she wanted to become a chartered accountant, she decided to pursue a music career.

Career

2000–07: Career beginnings

Spice cites Professor Nuts as the person who inspired her to get started in the music business.[5] At the age of 17, she performed on a television show of host MC Nuffy on Jamaican local cable station.[6] Friends and viewers who watched the show encouraged her to develop her talent in singing, but she rathered the effect she had on her fans when she deejayed. She was later discovered by promoter Junior "Heavy-D" Fraser who gave her the opportunity to perform at the annual dancehall festival Sting in 2000. It was her first major appearance on a stage show and she earned four encores from the crowd.[7]

In 2002, Spice toured England with dancehall group Ward 21 and Baby Cham. She was later introduced by Cham to record producer Dave Kelly. From there, she released her first single "Complain (Mi Gone)" on the Pretty Pretty Riddim under Kelly's record label Madhouse Records. In 2004, she collaborated with reggae singer Jimmy Cliff on his song "I Want I Do I Get" from his album Black Magic. She also collaborated with Beenie Man on "Hot" from his album Concept of Life, released in 2006.

For her first major hit, she versioned the popular Eighty Five Riddim to create "Fight Over Man", which became popular in the dancehall.

2008–13: Growing popularity

In 2008, Spice toured Europe with Cham and Pinchers as part of the Madhouse Tour.[8] She later toured Guyana for a show with fellow dancehall artist Vybz Kartel. After returning to Jamaica, the two decided to do several collaborations together, including "Romping Shop" which samples "Miss Independent" by Ne-Yo. The song achieved international recognition, debuting on the Billboard Top 100 Singles.[9] The song was also played on mainstream urban stations, including HOT 97, Power 105.1 and more. In early 2009, the song was banned by the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation due to its explicit lyrical content.[10]

In 2009, Spice received the Excellence in Music and Entertainment (EME) Award for "Female Deejay of the Year". At the Youth View Awards, she won three awards: “Best Female Performer”, “Favourite Local Female Artiste” and "Young, Hot & Hype Female”.[11] The same year, she signed to VP Records for a multi-album deal.[12]

She again received the "Female Deejay of the Year" award at the 2010 EME Awards.[13] Her single "Slim vs. Fluffy" featuring dancehall artist Pamputtae peaked at number 1 on the Canadian Dancehall/Reggae Singles charts.[14]

In 2011, Spice collaborated with Gappy Ranks on his song "Whatever We Like". She later released a remix to her single "Fun" featuring rapper Missy Elliott[15][16][17][18][19] and collaborated with singer Mýa on her song "Take Him Out" from Mýa's sixth album K.I.S.S. (Keep It Sexy & Simple).[20][21][22] She also performed alongside Mýa at Reggae Sumfest that year.[23]

In late 2013, Spice released her single "So Mi Like It". The song became popular overseas and helped boost her career. She later released a remix of the song featuring rapper Busta Rhymes.[24] The song was included in the Ragga Ragga Ragga 2014 compilation album,[25] alongside her singles "Go Go" and "All The Way" featuring Elephant Man.

2014–present: So Mi Like It

See also: So Mi Like It

Spice's debut extended play entitled So Mi Like It was released through VP Records in December 2014.[26] The EP features five songs, including "So Mi Like It", "Like A Man" and "Conjugal Visit" featuring Vybz Kartel.[27][28] The music video for "Conjugal Visit" garnered over 2 million views on WorldStarHipHop within one day. She was also featured along with soca artist Bunji Garlin on rapper ASAP Ferg's song "Jolly" from his mixtape Ferg Forever.[29]

Spice starred as Candy in her first theatrical feature film "Destiny", which was released in 2014.[30][31][32] She also recorded the song "No Push Over" for the film's soundtrack.

Spice received the award for "Best Female Deejay" at the 34th Annual International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA). At the 2015 Youth View Awards, Spice was nominated for eight awards: "Favourite Dancehall Artiste", "Favourite Local Music Video" for "So Mi Like It", "Favourite Female Local Artiste", "Hottest Summer Song" for "So Mi Like It", "Favourite Musical Collaboration" for "Only Thing Mi Want" featuring Alkaline and "Conjugal Visit" featuring Vybz Kartel, "Female Fashion Icon" and "Young, Hot & Hype Female". She eventually won one award for "Favorite Female Local Artiste". At the Star Awards, she won three awards: "Female Deejay of the Year", "Performer of the Year" and "Music Video of the Year" for "So Mi Like It".

In early 2015, Spice released her first reggae project, a song titled "Baby I Love You".[33] She then released her single "Needle Eye", which serves as a tribute to Shabba Ranks's 1987 single "Needle Eye Pum Pum".[34] She also featured alongside Jeremih on Kid Ink's single, "Nasty", which was released on May 27, 2016.[35]

For 2016's Red Bull Culture Clash, Spice joined forces with Mixpak and won the clash over Wiz Khalifa & Taylor Gang and others. At the MOBO Awards, Spice was the only female nominated for "Best Reggae Act" and the first female dancehall artist ever nominated in this category. She also received the award for "Best Female Dancehall Artist" at the 35th Annual International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA).

Her debut album is scheduled to be released in 2017 through VP Records.

Business

In 2009, Spice opened her clothing store called “Spicey Couture" in Kingston.[36] She later opened a branch in May Pen, Clarendon. The brand offers shipping to the US, UK and Canada through its website. She later opened a beauty salon called “Spicey Salon” in Kingston. In June 2010, she opened a sports bar and lounge called “8 Ball”, located in her hometown Portmore.[37]

In 2015, Spice launched a clothing line as part of the promotion of her single "Needle Eye".[38] The line features T-shirts and underwear with the phrase "Needle Eye" to promote the single. At first, the line was available for free and went on sale a few weeks later.

Discography

Extended plays

Year Title Peak chart positions Album
US R&B
2009 "Ramping Shop"
(Vybz Kartel featuring Spice)		 76[39] Pon Di Gaza 2.0
2012 "Take Him Out"
(Mýa featuring Spice)		 — K.I.S.S. (Keep It Sexy & Simple)
2014 "Jolly"
(ASAP Ferg featuring Bunji Garlin and Spice)		 — Ferg Forever
2016 "Nasty"
(Kid Ink featuring Jeremih and Spice)		 — Non-album single
"—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released.

References

  1. ↑ http://empps.org/entertainer_dir_Detail.php?entid=112
  2. ↑ "Spice". Frenkieh Riddim Database. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
  3. ↑ "Meet Grace 'Spice' Hamilton". Jamaica Star. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  4. ↑ "Spice's 'Destiny' leads to movie role". Jamaica Star. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  5. ↑ "Spice - Artist Wiki".
  6. ↑ Grizzle, Shereita. "Fun Facts About Spice". Jamaica Star. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  7. ↑ Russell-Garcia, Sherina. "Ms. Grace "Spice" Hamilton". Caribbean Posh. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  8. ↑ "Spice On European Tour". BigUp Radio. February 22, 2008.
  9. ↑ "'Ramping Shop' Hits the Billboard Charts". SKNVibes. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  10. ↑ "Slack song ban - Kartel's 'Rampin' Shop' among explicit lyrics outlawed". Jamaica Gleaner. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  11. ↑ "Young, gifted and hype! - Youth View Awards: the red carpet to glory". Jamaica Gleaner. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  12. ↑ "Spice Lands VP Records Deal". BigUp Radio. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  13. ↑ "EME Awards 2010". Reggae Vibes. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  14. ↑ "Canada To Get 'Slim vs. Fluffy' Showdown". Jahkno. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  15. ↑ Peck, Jamie. "New Video: Spice Featuring Missy Elliott, 'Fun'". MTV. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  16. ↑ Cragg, Michael. "New music: Spice feat. Missy Elliott – Fun". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  17. ↑ "Spice & Missy Elliott have Fun - Another hip-hop, dancehall collaboration". The Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  18. ↑ "New Music: Spice f/ Missy Elliott – 'Fun'". Rap-Up. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  19. ↑ Luke, Aba. "Spice teams up with Missy Elliot for some fun". T&T Guardian. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  20. ↑ "Video: Mya f/ Spice – 'Take Him Out'". Rap-Up. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  21. ↑ "Still A Banger: Mya Ft Spice "Take Him Out" Music Video". Bossip. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  22. ↑ Rubenstein, Jenna Hally. "New Video: Mya Featuring Spice, 'Take Him Out'". MTV. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  23. ↑ "Mya At Reggae Sumfest In Mini Skirt With Beenie Man & Spice! [Video]". Bossip. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  24. ↑ "Spice does remix with Busta". GTVibes. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  25. ↑ "Ragga Ragga Ragga 2014 - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  26. ↑ Nostro, Lauren. "Premiere: Stream Spice's "So Mi Like It" EP". Complex. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  27. ↑ Block, Justin. "Watch Spice and Vybz Kartel's "Conjugal Visit" Video". Complex. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  28. ↑ Trammell, Matthew. "Spice & Vybz Kartel Dagger and Duet Behind Bars in "Conjugal Visit"". The Fader. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  29. ↑ "Just Like Candy: Spice Gets Sweet with A$AP Ferg + Bunji Garlin on "Jolly"". LargeUp. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  30. ↑ "Spice's 'Destiny' leads to movie role". Jamaica Star. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  31. ↑ "VIDEO: Destiny, a truly Jamaican film". The Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  32. ↑ Brooks, Sadeke. "Jamaican Artistes Face 'Destiny' - Christopher Martin Plays Major Role In New Jamaican Film". Jamaica Gleaner. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  33. ↑ Dyer, Deidre. "Spice Tackles Interracial Rasta Love In Latest Video". The Fader. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  34. ↑ "Spice's Needle Eye video hot online". Jamaica Star. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  35. ↑ "New Music: Kid Ink feat. Jeremih & Spice – 'Nasty'". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  36. ↑ "Spice Up Your Life with 'Spicey Couture'". Jamaica Gleaner. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  37. ↑ "Spice dishes out more than just sexual content". T&T Guardian. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  38. ↑ Francis, Kshema. "Spice launches "Needle Eye" clothing line". Irie FM. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  39. ↑ [http://www.billboard.com/biz/search/charts?f[0]=ss_chart_search_title%3A%22Ramping%20Shop%22&f[1]=itm_field_chart_id%3A367&refine=1 "Ramping Shop" - Chart History] Billboard. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
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