Marc Parc
OutAroad.com Writer
Grace Hamilton has been known to provide Dancehall music with a lot of "Spice" in recent years. Spice has been well seasoned within music and the performing arts throughout most of her life and before she was a star within the local music industry, she was destined to become a Dancehall superstar.
Hamilton was born in the tough area of Braeton in Portmore, St. Catherine; dealing with the realms of poverty. Hamilton was an avid listener of Gospel music in her younger days; becoming a big fan of the internationally acclaimed Gospel group, The Grace Thrillers.
She soon took her affinity of music to greater heights whilst attending St. Catherine High School where she participated in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's (JCDC) annual music festival; winning several gold medals. After excelling in her CXC's, Hamilton immediately desired to capitalize on her growing potential as a musician; plying her trade at the Edna Manley School for the Visual and Performing Arts to study voice and drama.
Her training at Edna Manley built her confidence as Hamilton soon focused her attention towards becoming a Dancehall artiste. Hamilton would begin to showcase her deejaying prospects; performing at community stage shows while displaying her lyrical dexterity with a hardcore edge. It was in 2000 where Hamilton's would be given the biggest Dancehall stage to prove her worth as an up-and-coming talent; performing a STING that year thanks to established promoter, Heavy D who discovered her and decided to make her a staple in the show. Her performance garnered widespread attention for both her lyrics and looks; winning her fans and as a result, "Spice" was born.
However, still looking for her breakthrough single, Spice continued to work her way towards mainstream acclaim. She toured with Baby Cham as well as producing extraordinaires, Ward 21 in 2002 and while performing in England, Spice delivered another credible performance; leading Baby Cham to mentor Spice and introduced her to legendary Dancehall producer, Dave Kelly who's most recognized for his work alongside the "War Lord," Bounty Killer. Spice's debut single followed soon thereafter when, under the Mad House Records staple, she unveiled, "Mi Gone," on the Pretty Pretty Riddim, produced by Kelly.
The single was well-received by local and international Dancehall fans and started a formidable run of form for Spice as she released singles such as "Hype" and "Right There" alongside Toi on the "Bad Gal Riddim." However, it was in 2006 where Spice got her biggest boost when she released the song, "Fight Over Man." Showing her raunchy, sexy persona along with her lyrical talents, the video of "Fight Over Man" along with the single itself made Spice an instant hit fit fans and observers alike. Some even started to brand her the "Next Lady Saw." Given her risqué style was similar to that of the "Queen of Dancehall."
2007 was a rather quiet year for Spice as she would be blessed with the joy of motherhood for the first time. Despite falling off the scene somewhat, taking time away from the Dancehall spotlight that year help propel her for a monstrous 2008 where she unveiled a slew of hits still synonymous with the minds of many Dancehall fans. Singles such as "A Nuh Me" and "Nuh My Fault," showed that Spice was far from intimated by the pressures the music put on her. Additionally, her trademark wigs and signature catch phrase, "Scorn Dem!" embedded Spice within the Dancehall framework while showing her musical versatility.
More hits followed for Spice as she released, "Daggering," a counteraction to Aidonia's signature, "100 Stab" hit that summer. However, Spice would make her biggest splash to date in late 2008 with the controversial single, "Ramping Shop" alongside well-renowned Dancehall superstar, Vybz Kartel. The song's no hold barred lyrics were so impacting, it raised the eyre of the likes of Ardenne High School principal, Esther Tyson and the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica; who banned "Ramping Shop" and all other daggering songs from airplay in February 2009. Despite the Commission's efforts, the edited version of "Ramping Shop" also became a hit with fans and still is played at various session as well as radio outlets across the world. The song was a #1 hit in several countries and the accompanying video had such a presence; it even prompted rumors that Spice and Kartel were involved. However, Spice has continued to deny that they were ever intimate.
Spice would use her success for other means as she would pursue her other major passion of fashion. In 2009, Spice opened the sophisticated, "Spicey Couture," in uptown St. Andrew while also introducing "Spicey Salon" in the area during that time.
2010, Spice won the EME award for "Female Dancehall artiste of the Year" and would continue to build her brand as an all-rounded musician. She was involved a brief lyrical feud with former Portmore Empire artiste, Lisa Hyper where she unveiled the sharpshooting diss song, "Lisa Swiper" where she made mention to Lisa's sex photo controversy.
She soon turned her attention back to her music and in June of 2010, Spice released another internationally acclaimed track, "Jim Screechie," produced by Equiknoxx. The steamy single was immediately well-received locally and internationally and the video for "Jim Screechie," featured her fiancée' who played the role of "Jim Screechie" in the song. The song became one of 2010's biggest hits and re-affirmed her status as one of Dancehall's must see acts.
In February of this year, Spice gave birth to her second child and once again forced her to take some time off from music. However, the deejay would again return with a vengeance as she improved her international repertoire; collaborating with emerging English Dancehall act, Gappy Ranks for "Whatever We Like." She also unveiled the single, "Not After Your Love," featuring American born singer, Bar-Bee and the strong collaborative effort, "Fun (Remix)," alongside hip-hop superstar, Missy "Misdemeanour" Elliott. Additionally, she continued her local progress; unveiling songs such as "Put It Paan Mi," on the Notnice/Corey Todd Records produced, Takeover Riddim while her most recent hit song was the effort, "Hot Patty Wine," produced by Tenement Yard Records earlier this month.
Spice has built her way up towards becoming one of the most prominent and beloved female artistes in Dancehall music and her contributions to the genre seem far from finished.
