Spice (musician)

Spice

Spice performing in November 2016
Background information
Birth name Grace Latoya Hamilton
Born (1982-08-06) 6 August 1982
St. Catherine, Jamaica
Origin Portmore, Jamaica
Genres
Occupation(s)
Years active 2000–present
Labels VP Records
Associated acts

Grace Latoya Hamilton (born 6 August 1982),[1] known professionally as Spice, is a Jamaican dancehall recording artist, singer and songwriter.

Early life

Grace Latoya Hamilton was born on August 6, 1982 at the Spanish Town Hospital in St. Catherine, Jamaica and raised in Portmore.[2] As a child, she used to attend her church regularly and lead the choir. While a student in St. Catherine High School, she frequently participated the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) festival in the music category and earned several medals throughout the years. Although she wanted to become a chartered accountant, she decided to pursue a music career.[3] Following that, she enrolled at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts to study music and drama.[4] She then began experimenting with dancehall music and soon after generated interest in her community with her deejaying ability at local stage shows.

Career

2000–2007: Career beginnings

Spice made her debut when she was given 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 several encores from the crowd.[5] At the time, she was managed by Mr. Lexx's former manager Earlton Clarke for two years. During this early stage of her career, Spice went on to gain a reputation for her performing abilties, despite not having any hit record.

While on tour in England in 2002, Spice earned the attention of Baby Cham, who later introduced her to producer Dave Kelly. From there, she released "Complain", which is her first single for Kelly's record label Madhouse Records. In 2004, she was featured on Jimmy Cliff's "I Want I Do I Get" from his album Black Magic. For her first major hit single, Spice versioned the popular Eighty Five riddim to create "Fight Over Man", which became popular in the dancehall.

2008–2015: Breakthrough and So Mi Like It

In late 2008, Spice toured overseas for a show with fellow dancehall artist Vybz Kartel. After returning to Jamaica, the two decided to do several collaborations, including "Romping Shop" which samples "Miss Independent" by Ne-Yo.[6] The song quickly achieved international recognition, debuting on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[7] It was also played on mainstream urban stations, including HOT 97, Power 105.1 and more. Shortly after its release, the song was banned by the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation due to its explicit lyrical content.[8] Pitchfork ranked "Romping Shop" at number 9 on its list of the "50 Best Dancehall Songs of All Time".[9] The song was also ranked at number 9 on Billboard's "12 Best Dancehall & Reggaeton Choruses of the 21st Century".[10]

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

Spice 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 was featured on Gappy Ranks's "Whatever We Like", released as a bonus track on his album Thanks & Praise. She later released a remix for her single "Fun" featuring rapper Missy Elliott [15][16][17][18][19] and collaborated with Mýa on "Take Him Out" from Mýa's sixth album K.I.S.S. (Keep It Sexy & Simple).[20][21][22]

On October 26, 2013, Spice released her single "So Mi Like It", which garnered worldwide recognition although it never charted. The song was included in the Ragga Ragga Ragga 2014 compilation album,[23] alongside her singles "Go Go" and "All The Way" with Elephant Man. A remix of "So Mi Like It" featuring rapper Busta Rhymes was later released on his mixtape Catastrophic 2.[24]

Spice starred as Candy in her first theatrical feature film "Destiny", which was released on April 2, 2014.[25][26][27] She also recorded the song "No Push Over" for the film's soundtrack.

Spice's debut extended play So Mi Like It, named after the single of the same name, was released through VP Records on November 28, 2014.[28] The EP peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Top Reggae Albums chart.[29] The EP features five songs, including her singles "So Mi Like It" and "Conjugal Visit" featuring Vybz Kartel.[30][31] 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.[32] On May 12, 2015, Spice released her single "Needle Eye", which serves as a tribute to Shabba Ranks's 1987 single "Needle Eye Pum Pum".[33]

2016–present: Upcoming debut studio album

Spice was featured alongside Jeremih on Kid Ink's single "Nasty", released on May 27, 2016.[34] In June 2016, she released her single "Indicator", based on a dance move of the same name. She also received the award for "Best Female Deejay" at the 34th Annual International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA).

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).

On April 14, 2017, Spice released "Sheet", the first single from her debut album Spice It Up, scheduled to be released by the end of 2017.[35] In June 2017, Spice appeared on a remix of Jax Jones's "You Don't Know Me".

Business

In 2009, Spice opened her clothing boutique "Spicey Couture" in Kingston.[36] She later opened a branch in May Pen, Clarendon and in other locations in Jamaica. 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, Spice 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 printed with the title of the single.

Discography

References

  1. ↑ "Frenkieh Riddim Database - Artists - Spice". Frenkieh Riddim Database. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
  2. ↑ "Meet Grace 'Spice' Hamilton". Jamaica Star. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  3. ↑ "Fun Facts about SPICE". Jamaica Star. Shereita Grizzle. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  4. ↑ "Spice's 'Destiny' leads to movie role". Jamaica Star. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  5. ↑ Russell-Garcia, Sherina. "Ms. Grace "Spice" Hamilton". Caribbean Posh. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  6. ↑ Serwer, Jesse. "Vybz Kartel featuring Spice, "Ramping Shop"". Billboard. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
  7. ↑ "'Ramping Shop' Hits the Billboard Charts". SKNVibes. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  8. ↑ "Slack song ban - Kartel's 'Rampin' Shop' among explicit lyrics outlawed". Jamaica Gleaner. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  9. ↑ "The 50 Best Dancehall Songs of All Time". Pitchfork. p. 5. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
  10. ↑ "The 12 Best Dancehall & Reggaeton Choruses of the 21st Century". Billboard. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  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. ↑ "Ragga Ragga Ragga 2014 - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  24. ↑ "Spice does remix with Busta". GTVibes. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  25. ↑ "Spice's 'Destiny' leads to movie role". Jamaica Star. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  26. ↑ "VIDEO: Destiny, a truly Jamaican film". The Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  27. ↑ Brooks, Sadeke. "Jamaican Artistes Face 'Destiny' - Christopher Martin Plays Major Role In New Jamaican Film". Jamaica Gleaner. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  28. ↑ "So Mi Like It - EP by Spice on iTunes". iTunes. Apple. November 28, 2014. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
  29. ↑ "Top Reggae Albums & Songs - December 20, 2014". Billboard. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
  30. ↑ Block, Justin. "Watch Spice and Vybz Kartel's "Conjugal Visit" Video". Complex. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  31. ↑ Trammell, Matthew. "Spice & Vybz Kartel Dagger and Duet Behind Bars in "Conjugal Visit"". The Fader. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  32. ↑ "Just Like Candy: Spice Gets Sweet with A$AP Ferg + Bunji Garlin on "Jolly"". LargeUp. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  33. ↑ "Spice’s Needle Eye video hot online". Jamaica Star. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  34. ↑ "New Music: Kid Ink feat. Jeremih & Spice – 'Nasty'". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved July 3, 2016.
  35. ↑ "BBC Radio 1Xtra - Seani B, Spice Interview & Session from Jamaica". BBC. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
  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.
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