All eyes are on the women this year as Dancehall star Shenseea and the genre’s reigning queen Spice prepare to go head-to-head for one of the night’s most coveted prizes—Dancehall Album of the Year—at the 2025 Caribbean Music Awards, set for this Thursday, August 28, at Brooklyn’s King’s Theater. In a category dominated by male counterparts, the two powerhouse performers stand tall among nominees Vybz Kartel, Govana, and Dexta Daps, each bringing their own standout projects to the table.
Spice’s third studio album, Mirror 25, is a bold celebration of her 25-year journey in music. Released on August 9, 2024, under her own imprint, the 25-track collection doubles as a raw, unfiltered diary of her evolution. The project has already made waves internationally, debuting at No. 7 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart and scoring three placements on the UK’s Official Charts, including a No. 12 peak on the Independent Albums Breakers chart. With features from Busta Rhymes, Chronic Law, Lola Brooke, Jada Kingdom, Patoranking, Pamputtae, and Ky-Mani Marley, Mirror 25 marks Spice’s fifth career entry on Billboard’s reggae charts—solidifying her legacy as one of dancehall’s most consistent trailblazers.
Meanwhile, Shenseea is riding the momentum of her sophomore release, Never Gets Late Here. Dropped via Rich Immigrants/Interscope on May 24, 2024, the album debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart with 2,000 units in its first week. While it opened slightly lower than her 2022 debut Alpha, which entered at No. 2, the project has already delivered major streaming hits. Its breakout single “Hit & Run” featuring Masicka has racked up over 146 million YouTube views and 43.8 million Spotify streams, making it the clear standout. Follow-ups like Die For You, Neva Neva, and her recent collaboration Flava with Coi Leray further showcase her versatility and international appeal.
But the battle won’t be easy. Vybz Kartel’s First Week Out, Govana’s Legacy, and Dexta Daps’ Trilogy are also in contention, representing the grit, storytelling, and emotional depth that define modern dancehall. Each brings a unique sound and loyal following, ensuring this year’s Album of the Year race will be one of the most competitive yet.
As the Caribbean Music Awards continues to shine a spotlight on artistry, identity, and innovation, this showdown between Spice and Shenseea carries added weight. Not only are they the only women in the category, but both have carved powerful narratives through their music—Spice through legacy and endurance, and Shenseea through crossover ambition and fresh global energy. On Thursday night, one will etch her name in history alongside the men of dancehall, but together, they’re already proving that the genre’s future is undeniably female.
