Dancehall queen Spice believes that her music genre deserves recognition for influencing the world’s music.
In an interview with Revolt, the Jamaican artist said that respect for the dancehall genre could be earned through collaboration.
When asked how she thinks that such an empowering and energetic genre like dancehall influenced the landscape of music, she responded, “Dancehall has changed the whole aspect of music altogether.”
“I don’t think people realize dancehall has birthed so many other genres, including hip hop. It was a DJ from Jamaica, DJ Kool Herc, who went to New York, and that’s how hip hop was born,” she added.
When asked if she feels that her genre of music gets the respect it deserves, she said,
“I don’t think dancehall gets the respect it deserves. I think reggae music does, and that’s because of Bob Marley, and when you say reggae music, everyone knows him. Dancehall is more like the underdog, and it doesn’t get the respect it deserves even though it has influenced so many other genres.”
She continued to say, “Even if you listen to Drake, you can hear a little bit of dancehall mixed in. Even in the fashion world, dancehall has a whole fashion culture that international people use and give credit to other cultures.”
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Spice was also asked if she believed there was a way to demand respect for the genre.
In response, she said, “One of the best ways to get the respect we deserve is how I started off my album, which is coming together. Together we are a force to be reckoned with.”
“Me working with these legends opened people’s eyes to show them that dancehall is about unity, and we can come together to unite to become a bigger force to be reckoned with. I think that’s the best start to come together to show our music and our talent to the world,” she added.
