This month marks Women's History Month, and so it is only fitting that we unveil our third cover for our Cultivators Issues. And it is only even more fitting that it be The Queen of Dancehall herself, Spice. When it comes to the title of The Queen of Dancehall, there is only one person who can stand fit to wear that title. The past 25 years of her career have shown her resilience and ability to embody everything that it means to be the Queen of Dancehall. Spice is a cultivator whose legacy extends beyond her and deserves to be celebrated in every way. 

Having Spice grace our cover is an occasion in itself, and it's an honour to give her flowers, as her impact on music has been monumental. The energy we captured during our cover shoot at East London's Blankbox Studios felt like a special moment for everyone who gathered to bring the editorial vision to life—spanning an evening and ending shortly after midnight. The atmosphere really felt like a real excitement and celebration of what we were creating and bringing together in honouring the Queen of Dancehall for this issue. 

For Spice, the meaning of the word cultivation goes beyond its definition and holds significance for her. "When I hear the word cultivation, mi feel it deep in mi spirit. Cultivation means planting something, even when nobody believed in it, watering it with hard work, dedication, tears, prayer, sacrifice, and faith—then standing tall when it finally bears fruit. For me, cultivation is about patience and purpose." She shares, as we speak, what it feels like to be a cultivator. "I had to cultivate my sound, my blue hair image, my confidence, my stage craft and most importantly, my voice as a woman in a male-dominated space. Nobody handed me my crown or my throne—I built it piece by piece, one year at a time." The last 25 years of her career have been evidence of this. She is someone who has never been shy about expressing herself, whether it be through her music, her style, or just the way she presents herself.

Entering the music scene in 2000, she has been able to craft a career of longevity, something she has recognised as a long road from the outset. "My career has been a journey of evolution. From “Fight Over Man" “Jim Screechie” to "Ramping Shop”, “So Mi Llike it" "Go Down Deh" and many other hits, I metamorphosed from controversial to being celebrated, from underground clashes to international stages. I've been misunderstood, criticised, boxed in—and still, I rise every time. I cultivated resilience. I cultivated authenticity. I never watered down who I am to make anybody comfortable." Throughout this, she has maintained her belief in herself, stepping out of her experiences of poverty and homelessness and building a career many can only aspire to have. No doubt there have been challenges along the way; however, it's her ability to rise above them and still stand in the power that has recognised her as the woman she is.

Meeting her 25 years into her career, there is no way we cannot look back and see just how far she has come, and she recognises this when it comes to where her career started. "When I first started in Jamaica, I didn't have this big, polished blueprint of what being an artist would look like. What I did have was hunger, confidence, and a strong belief in myself. I knew I wanted my voice to be heard, and I knew I wasn't going to blend in or play small just to fit into Dancehall." This was a driving force and has cemented her artistic power throughout the years. When you listen to Spice, you hear an unapologetic nature. No matter what she is singing about, she is somebody who never apologises for who she is.

Her legacy is rooted not only in her culture, as reflected in her music, but also in everything she represents as a Jamaican woman. Having graced stages across the world, she has always carried her pride in her heritage and in what it means to carry the island's flag. And this is something she has always carried throughout her career and has recognised in the responsibility she takes on. "I come from a small island, but the culture is big, and I've always taken that responsibility seriously. Every time I step on an international stage—whether it's a major festival, a TV platform, or a collaboration with global artists—I know I'm not just representing Spice, I'm representing Jamaica, Dancehall, and Caribbean culture. I carry that with pride." Looking at where Dancehall has reached in 2026, there is no doubt that Spice has been a big part of making that happen. For artists such as Jada Kingdom, Pamputtae, Shenseea, Stalk Ashley, and Lila Iké, these are just a few examples of artists who have benefited from the legacy Spice has built throughout her career. And this impact and legacy are not something she takes lightly, and she has seen them in the new generation. "Seeing younger artists now travelling, charting, and being embraced globally feels like confirmation. It tells me that the foundation we laid helped make it possible. Dancehall is evolving, and that's natural. I took the baton from those who came before me, and I never stopped. Now, knowing I played a part in taking it from the streets of Jamaica to the global stage, that's legacy." 

One of the things that has continued to maintain that legacy is her ability to grow and evolve throughout her career. Travelling and performing all over the world, as well as collaborations and creative expansions, have allowed her to step into different spaces and genres, while still maintaining what makes her Spice. As you listen through her discography, each era has brought us a different version of Spice, keeping in step with the shifts and changes of the world and the music industry. She has never been one to let herself stay comfortable or be boxed into one thing. She has always welcomed change and allowed herself to experience and push herself without losing the essence of Spice. "I stay inspired by collaborating across cultures while still keeping my Jamaican identity front and centre. That's how creativity expands beyond the diaspora—by being confident in where you're from, while being open to exchange and growth. Whether it's experimenting with new sounds, visuals, or platforms, I make sure the culture is respected and not diluted."

The latest evidence of this was her 2024 release, Mirror 25. The album was an ode to her legacy and was a marker of where she is now, 25 years into her career. As well as being introspective and being able to reflect. It once again represents a special time in her career, which has been no small thing. "Mirror 25 represents reflection, growth, and survival. It's me standing in the mirror and looking at every version of myself over the past 25 years, the struggle, the strength, the mistakes, the victories, and the evolution. That album is not just music, it's a testimony." At this point in her career, she is operating from a place of freedom and fearlessness. Having gone through the experience of being stuck in a record deal to life-threatening health issues and other hurdles she has had to overcome in her career, Spice is at a different point in her life, and this is something that is represented in the album. "At this point in my artistry, I'm confident and fearless. I know who I am, and I'm no longer creating to prove myself. I'm creating to tell my truth. Mirror 25 reflected maturity, versatility, and self-awareness. It shows that I can still deliver hardcore Dancehall while also exploring vulnerability, storytelling, and global sounds." 

Seeing her bask in the celebration of this music, receiving her flowers, the celebration of her legacy has been no small effort. In the past year alone, she took the stage for the return of Red Bull’s Culture Clash and took the crown as its winner. She also took the stage at the 2025 MOBO Awards, headlined both City Splash Festival and Boomtown Festival. As well as performing at the 10th Anniversary of Wireless Festival, reunited with her longtime collaborator, Vybz Kartel. And these are a few moments; however, they indicate how far Spice and Dancehall as a genre have come. "The past year has honestly felt surreal and deeply humbling. To stand on those stages, to be invited into those spaces, and to feel that love not just from my Jamaican people but from audiences around the world, reminded me of why I started in the first place. Moments like those don't come overnight. They come from years of work, sacrifice, resilience, and believing in yourself even when the odds were stacked." There is a deep gratitude she carries, and not something she takes lightly, given the cultural impact Spice has had globally.  

When speaking about everything we have discussed, I'm aware that Grace Hamilton is, too. The person beneath the artist. She is someone who has grown and changed over the years, maintaining her own peace of mind and standing strong in what is important and meaningful to her. Outside of Spice, she is a mother and someone who exists in her own right. When speaking to this, I'm intrigued to know what she has learnt about herself over the years and what it has meant for her to reach this point in her life. "Over the years, one of the biggest lessons I've learned is to stay true to myself. Trends will come and go, opinions will change, but authenticity is what keeps you standing for decades. I learned early that you can't build longevity pretending to be someone else, you have to know who you are and protect that." Protecting herself from everything that comes with being an artist and all that comes with that has also been a big thing for her. "I've learned to value faith, family, and self-worth. Success doesn't mean much if you lose your peace. Protecting my mental space, choosing my circle carefully, and knowing when to rest have become just as important as the grind". 

Her faith has played a big part in her life, not just personally but also throughout her career, and she has never been quiet about it when it comes to her relationship with God. The single "God Don't Play About Me," released at the beginning of this year, was just one of the songs that have expressed her faith. Other songs like "You Are Worthy", "Spice Marley", and "God A Bless Me" are all acknowledgements of the role that her faith has had throughout her life. "My faith has been my anchor. When the noise got loud, when the criticism was heavy, when doors felt closed, and people counted me out, my faith reminded me who I belong to and why I'm still standing as the Queen of Dancehall," she tells me "Faith gave me peace in chaos, strength in weakness, and clarity when I felt lost. God also reminded me that He's always by my side. My faith taught me patience, resilience, and gratitude, even in the hard seasons."

As the conversation comes to a close, there is so much more to discuss, but since we have spoken in depth about her career so far, we have reached this point. Spice is also embarking on and embracing the next phase of her career, as heard in her latest releases “Clean and Fresh” and "Soft Girl Era". The latest sounds are bringing a new vibe that reflects where her artistry is taking her in this next part of her life. "Right now, I'm in a very intentional chapter of my life and career. With "Soft Girl Era", that's exactly where I am in my glow-up season, stepping into a softer, more elevated, more self-aware version of myself while still being powerful and unapologetic." With everything we have discussed, there is a newfound freedom and fearlessness that Spice carries, knowing everything she has achieved and still plans to. "Creatively, I feel free. I feel inspired. I feel like I'm upgrading in every way sonically, visually, and emotionally. I want the world to see my versatility: that I can be fierce and dominant, but also feminine, reflective, playful, classy, and evolving. This is about showing growth without losing my edge."

This new chapter for Spice carries excitement about what she will bring next. As she continues to grow and evolve, and what that will expand to, and even though it comes with a new vibe and energy, there is still no letting go of who Spice is. "This chapter is about elevation of mind, music, image, and spirit. Soft… but still strong." As the conversation draws to a close, we return to the title of The Queen of Dancehall and what it has felt like to carry that, in terms of the pressure to uphold it and the way people view her as such. "Carrying the title Queen of Dancehall comes with pressure, but it also comes with purpose. When people look at you as a queen, they expect strength, excellence, leadership, and consistency at all times. That weight is real," she tells me. Ultimately, it comes back to everything we have discussed throughout the conversation, underscoring the importance of authenticity and staying true to oneself. And so as we celebrate and honour the reign of Queen Spice, we are looking forward to seeing where the next 25 years take her.