Spice (musician)

Grace Latoya Hamilton (born 6 August 1982),[1] known professionally as Spice, is a Jamaican dancehall recording artist, singer and songwriter. Beginning her career in the early 2000s, she had her first major success with the controversial single "Romping Shop" with Vybz Kartel in 2009.

Spice
Spice performing in April 2019
Born
Grace Latoya Hamilton

(1982-08-06) 6 August 1982
St. Catherine, Jamaica
Occupation
  • Deejay
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • actress
  • businesswoman
Years active2000–present
Children2
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentsVocals
Labels
  • VP
  • Spice Official Ent.
  • Ranch
Associated acts
Websitespiceofficial.com

Spice's debut EP So Mi Like It, which included the hit single of the same name, was released in 2014 through VP Records. In 2018, she joined the cast of VH1's reality television series Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta. Later that year, she released her first full-length project, a mixtape titled Captured, which debuted at number one on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart. Referred to as the "Queen of Dancehall", Spice is one of the most popular female dancehall artists in the world.

Early life

Grace Latoya Hamilton was born in Spanish Town, St. Catherine, Jamaica and raised in Portmore.[2] Her father died when she was nine years old.[3] As a child, she used to attend her church regularly and lead the choir. She had spent part of her childhood living with her grandparents in Finsbury Park, London, where she also attended school before returning to Jamaica.[4] While a student in St. Catherine High School, she frequently participated in 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.[5] Following that, she enrolled at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts to study music and drama.[6] She then began experimenting with dancehall music and soon after generated interest in her community and its environs with her deejaying abilities 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, where she earned several encores from the crowd.[7] During this early stage of her career, Spice went on to gain a reputation for her performing abilities, despite not having any hit record.

While on tour in the UK, Spice earned the attention of Baby Cham, who later introduced her to well-known producer Dave Kelly. From there, she released a string of singles for Kelly's Madhouse Records label, including her first single for the label entitled "Complain", then followed by her singles on the Bad Gal riddim, "Right There" with Toi and "Hype". At that time, she was featured on Jimmy Cliff's "I Want I Do I Get" from his album Black Magic (2004) and on Beenie Man's "Hot" from his album Concept of Life (2006). For her first hit single, Spice versioned the popular Eighty Five riddim to create "Fight Over Man", which became popular in the dancehall scene.

2008–2012: Breakthrough and continued success

In late 2008, Spice collaborated with fellow dancehall artist Vybz Kartel on the single "Romping Shop", which samples "Miss Independent" by Ne-Yo.[8] The song quickly achieved international recognition, receiving immense rotation on mainstream urban stations in the US. "Romping Shop" spent 15 weeks on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, peaking at number 76.[9] Shortly after its release, the song was banned by the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation due to its explicit lyrical content.[10] "Romping Shop" was ranked at number 9 on both Pitchfork's list of the "50 Best Dancehall Songs of All Time"[11] and Billboard's "12 Best Dancehall & Reggaeton Choruses of the 21st Century".[12]

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".[13] In July 2009, she signed to VP Records for a multi-album deal.[14] She again received the "Female Deejay of the Year" award at the 2010 EME Awards.[15] Her single "Slim vs. Fluffy" featuring dancehall artist Pamputtae peaked at number 1 on the Canadian Dancehall/Reggae Singles charts.[16] That year she also released her single "Jim Screechie". 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 song "Fun" featuring rapper Missy Elliott[17][18][19] and collaborated with Mýa on the single "Take Him Out" from Mýa's sixth album K.I.S.S. (Keep It Sexy & Simple). Spice also performed the song with Mýa at Reggae Sumfest that year. A music video for "Take Him Out" was released in 2012. [20][21]

2013–2016: So Mi Like It and other projects
Spice performing at Reggae Sumfest 2013

In October 2013, Spice released her single "So Mi Like It", which garnered worldwide recognition despite not entering any official charts. The song's accompanying music video, released in January 2014, became the most viewed music video by a female Jamaican artist.[22] 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 2 April 2014.[25][26][27] She also recorded the song "No Push Over" for the film's soundtrack. Her debut extended play So Mi Like It, named after the single of the same name, was released through VP Records on 2 December 2014.[28] It debuted at number 14 on the Billboard Top Reggae Albums chart.[29] The EP features five songs, including her hits "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. The same month, she was featured along with soca artist Bunji Garlin on rapper ASAP Ferg's song "Jolly" from his mixtape Ferg Forever.[32] In May 2015, Spice released her single "Needle Eye", which serves as a tribute to Shabba Ranks's 1987 single of the same name.[33]

In May 2016, Spice was featured alongside Jeremih on Kid Ink's single "Nasty".[34] The following month, she released her single "Indicator", based on a dance move of the same name. 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.

2017–2019: Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta and Captured

In April 2017, Spice released her single "Sheet". In June 2017, she appeared on a remix of Jax Jones's "You Don't Know Me". In August 2017, she was featured alongside Sean Kingston and Lady Leshurr on Charlie Sloth's "I Can Do" from his album The Plug.

After making a guest appearance in season six of VH1's reality TV show Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, Spice joined the show as a cast member in season seven.[35] In 2018, she revealed that she is in a legal dispute with VP Records over the release of her long-delayed debut album.[36] Spice eventually released a mixtape titled Captured, which is her first full-length release, on her own label, Spice Official Entertainment, on 2 November 2018. The same day, she released the music video for her single "Under Fire", which is featured on the mixtape. Captured debuted at number one on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart.[37] Its lead single "Black Hypocrisy", which addresses the issue of colorism,[38] also debuted at number one on the Reggae Digital Song Sales chart.[39] Other notable singles from the mixtape include "Romantic Mood", "Cool It" and "Genie".

In October 2019, Spice appeared with Sean Paul on the remix of "Dumpling" by Stylo G.[40] The same month, she released her single "Tables Turn".[41] In November 2019, she was featured on Krept and Konan's album Revenge Is Sweet, on the track "First Time" alongside Tory Lanez.[42] It became her first entry on the UK Singles Chart, where it debuted at number 63.[43]

2020–present: Upcoming debut studio album

In February 2020, Spice released her first solo song of 2020, a single titled "Rolling".[44] She is currently working on her debut album,[45] which is set to be released in 2021 under the executive production of Shaggy.[46]

Other ventures

Business

Besides music, Spice has ventured into other businesses and industries. In 2009, Spice opened her clothing boutique Spicey Couture in Kingston.[47] The boutique later expanded by opening further branches across the island.

In 2010, Spice opened a beauty salon called Spicey Salon in Kingston. She also opened a sports bar and lounge called 8 Ball, located in her hometown Portmore.[48]

In May 2019, Spice launched Faces & Laces, an online beauty store that initially offered a line of wigs.[49] Later that year, cosmetic products were added to the beauty line.[50]

Philanthropy

In 2018, Spice founded the Grace Hamilton Women Empowerment Foundation (GHWEF) in Jamaica. The foundation was set up in order to "uplift young women and groom them towards success".[51] The foundation aims to enrich women through business and entrepreneurship.

Personal life

Spice gave birth to her first child, a son named Nicholas Jr., on 22 August 2007, with her boyfriend Nicholas Lall, whom she began dating in 2006.[52] The couple became engaged in 2009.[53] On 21 January 2011, she gave birth to her second child with Lall, a daughter named Nicholatoy.[54] In 2016, the couple called off the engagement and ended their relationship.[55][56]

Discography
Main article: Spice discography

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2014 Destiny Candy Film debut

Television
Year Title Role Notes
2017–present Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta Herself Guest (Season 6)
Supporting cast (Season 7)
Main cast (Season 8-present)
2020 The Bachelor Presents: Listen to Your Heart Herself Guest; Season 1, Episode 5

Web
Year Title Role Notes
2019 Spice It Up Herself/Host Talk-show

Awards and nominations

EME Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2007 Herself Female DJ of the Year Nominated [57]
2009 Won [58]
2010 Won [59]
International Artist of the Year Nominated [60]
2011 Female DJ of the Year Nominated [61]
"Jim Screechie" Dancehall Song of the Year Nominated

MOBO Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2016 Herself Best Reggae Act Nominated [62]

21st Hapilos Digital Music Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2016 "Needle Eye" Dancehall Single of the Year Won [63]
2017 "Indicator (Soca Remix)"
(featuring Bunji Garlin)		 Top Collaboration Nominated [64]
Herself Top Female Artist Won [65]

References
  1. "Spice (Grace Latoya Hamilton) | Artist | Riddim-ID". riddim-id.com. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  2. "Meet Grace 'Spice' Hamilton". Jamaica Star. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  3. Grant, Jasmine. "Tommie Has a Heart to Heart With Spice About Her Issues With Alcohol". VH1 News. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  4. "Spice & Assassin on Vybz Kartel & how to cheat - Westwood". YouTube. 5 May 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  5. "Fun Facts about SPICE". Jamaica Star. Shereita Grizzle. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  6. "Spice's 'Destiny' leads to movie role". Jamaica Star. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  7. Russell-Garcia, Sherina. "Ms. Grace "Spice" Hamilton". Caribbean Posh. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  8. Serwer, Jesse. "Vybz Kartel featuring Spice, "Ramping Shop"". Billboard. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
  9. "STAR of the Month: 'Ramping Shop' was Kartel's idea - Spice". Jamaica Star. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  10. "Slack song ban - Kartel's 'Rampin' Shop' among explicit lyrics outlawed". Jamaica Gleaner. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  11. "The 50 Best Dancehall Songs of All Time". Pitchfork. p. 5. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
  12. "The 12 Best Dancehall & Reggaeton Choruses of the 21st Century". Billboard. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  13. "Young, gifted and hype! - Youth View Awards: the red carpet to glory". Jamaica Gleaner. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  14. "Spice Lands VP Records Deal". BigUp Radio. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  15. "EME Awards 2010". Reggae Vibes. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  16. "Canada To Get 'Slim vs. Fluffy' Showdown". Jahkno. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  17. Peck, Jamie. "New Video: Spice Featuring Missy Elliott, 'Fun'". MTV. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  18. Cragg, Michael. "New music: Spice feat. Missy Elliott – Fun". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  19. "New Music: Spice f/ Missy Elliott – 'Fun'". Rap-Up. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  20. "Video: Mya f/ Spice – 'Take Him Out'". Rap-Up. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  21. Rubenstein, Jenna Hally. "New Video: Mya Featuring Spice, 'Take Him Out'". MTV. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  22. "Spice celebrates 120 million YouTube views". Jamaica Star. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  23. "Ragga Ragga Ragga 2014 - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  24. "Spice does remix with Busta". GTVibes. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
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  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.
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  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 3 July 2016.
  35. "Will You Be Watching? Meet The Newest Cast Member Of LHHATL: Dancehall Diva "Spice" [VIDEO]". Bossip. 8 March 2018. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  36. "No Album Until… Spice Spills The Tea On Why Fans Will Have To Wait For Her Album Debut! – QueenZ". www.queenzofficial.com. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  37. "Reggae Music: Top Reggae Albums & Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  38. "Dancehall Legend Spice Is Combating Colorism". Paper Magazine. 13 February 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  39. "Reggae Digital Song Sales". Billboard. 29 October 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  40. Dumpling (Remix) [feat. Sean Paul & Spice] - Single by Stylo G, retrieved 19 October 2019
  41. "Spice flips the fuckshit on her new single "Tables Turn"". The FADER. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
  42. Revenge Is Sweet by Krept & Konan, retrieved 19 October 2019
  43. "Official Singles Chart Top 100 | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  44. "Spice 'Rolling' new energetic single". Caribbean Life. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  45. English, Romario (1 April 2020). "Spice Announces 2020 Debut Album, Executively Produced By Shaggy | British Linkz". Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  46. "SUMFEST X CARIBBEANS AT FACEBOOK FIRESIDE CHAT". Facebook. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  47. "Spice Up Your Life with 'Spicey Couture'". Jamaica Gleaner. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  48. "Spice dishes out more than just sexual content". T&T Guardian. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  49. "Spice, queen of the stage and the 'gram - Artiste makes history with 2-million followers". jamaica-star.com. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  50. "Spice Does It Again! The Queen Of Stage Launches A Makeup Line". dancehallmag.com. 1 December 2019. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
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  52. "'I am not the enemy' - Father of Spice's children dismisses deadbeat label". jamaica-star.com. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  53. "Jamaica Star : 'It wasn't planned, but I am happy.' : Entertainment : October 15, 2010". old.jamaica-star.com. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
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  55. "Spice gives up sex - Plans to be celibate for one year". jamaica-star.com. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  56. "Spice does not support female acts - Chin Chin". jamaica-star.com. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  57. "EME awards 2006 - Tanya Stevens leads the way with four nominations". YardFlex.com. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
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  60. "Excellence in Music and Entertainment (EME) Awards 2010". United Reggae. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  61. "KARTEL, MAVADO LEAD EME AWARDS NOMINATIONS". DANCEHALLREGGAEWESEH.COM. 15 February 2011. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
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  63. "Instagram post by Grace Hamilton • Aug 25, 2016 at 3:37pm UTC". Instagram. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  64. "21st Hapilos Digital Music Awards". Issuu. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  65. "Instagram post by Grace Hamilton • Aug 23, 2017 at 4:41pm UTC". Instagram. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
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