Shenseea to bring ‘flavour’ for first-time MOBO performance

Dancehall artiste Shenseea is among the announced performers for this year’s Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards in the United Kingdom on March 26, and the Hit and Run singer is very excited. When asked what fans on location and at home can expect from her first-time performance, she simply replied: “Flavour!”

Speaking with THE WEEKEND STAR on Friday, Shenseea said, “It will be my first time performing and I’m over elated about it because they have shown me so much love and appreciation over the years. I can’t wait to reciprocate!” She is a two-time MOBO winner and this year is nominated again in the Best Caribbean Music Act category – the same category she was up for last year.

Shenseea joins a line-up that includes previously announced performers like Olivia Dean, FLO, and Tiwa Savage.

Last year, dancehall superstar Vybz Kartel was honoured with the Impact Award for his contributions to the music industry, particularly dancehall. This year, among the special honourees are Pharrell Williams, who will receive the Global Songwriter Award, and Slick Rick, honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Kanya King CBE, founder and CEO of the MOBO Group, said, “MOBO has always been about recognising the cultural architects as well as the rising stars shaping the future. Pharrell Williams’ songwriting genius has influenced global music for decades, while Slick Rick’s storytelling laid the foundations for generations of hip-hop artistes. To celebrate that legacy with a special performance alongside Estelle is a real full-circle moment for us. And with Shenseea representing the vibrant new wave of Caribbean music on the world stage, this year’s show captures exactly what the MOBO Group has stood for over the last 30 years.”

Fresh off her latest releases, Talk to Me Nuh (dropped Friday) and Panic (released last month) – both collaborations with Vybz Kartel – Shenseea continues to hone her own sound while staying grounded in her roots.

“It’s important to stay true to my roots because it is simply just what makes me who I am. I’ve been open to other cultures and none quite seemed to entice me like my own. I’m proud to be a product of Jamaica,” she said.

Among her other highlights this year are five nominations for the International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA), including Best Female DJ/Rapper and Most Popular Social Media Influencer/Entertainer. She also received two nominations in the Best Collaboration Song category – for Sugar Sweet with Mariah Carey and Kehlani, and Shake It to the Max with Moliy and Skillibeng. The latter was also nominated for Best Music Video.

Shenseea shared, “I’m always excited to see nominations for the work I put in; it always gives me a boost of motivation.”

entertainment@gleanerjm.com