Reigning dancehall queen Spice is charting a bold new course, one rooted in faith. In a candid interview with PEOPLE, the Grammy-nominated Jamaican star revealed plans to release her first full-length gospel album, brushing aside criticism as she leans into worship music inspired by her upbringing, personal testimony and a desire to praise freely. The move follows the release of her gospel single God Don’t Play About Me, signalling a new chapter for the artiste born Grace Latoya Hamilton.
Spice, says the response to her gospel releases has been overwhelming. After testing the waters with You Are Worthy on her 2024 album Mirror 25, she returned with the uptempo praise anthem God Don’t Play About Me, which she describes as a full-blown worship experience. “This one makes you want to get up and dance and sing and shout and grab a tambourine,” she told the American publication. The song’s video features her family alongside familiar faces such as Rasheeda and Kirk Frost, while its sound is influenced by the gospel music she grew up hearing in Portmore, including Sister Scully’s Hurry Up.
However, not everyone has welcomed the pivot. Spice admits she has faced pushback from critics who question her suitability for gospel given her provocative image. “Some people may see the colours that I wear and feel like I am not worthy to sing a gospel song,” she said, adding that she leans on scripture and ignores the noise. Despite the mixed reviews, the dancehall icon plans to continue performing her risqué hits, closing shows with gospel selections as a way to “send people home” uplifted and safe.
Looking ahead, Spice confirmed that a gospel album is inevitable, even if she is still shaping its final form. She also revealed dream collaborations with CeCe Winans, Jamaica’s Grace Thrillers and US gospel powerhouse Jekalyn Carr. The faith-forward shift arrives alongside a wider rebrand, as she swaps her signature blue hair for a softer alter ego dubbed “pumpkin ginger”, unveiled with her latest single Soft Girl Era. For Spice, the evolution is personal and unapologetic, and fans can expect more worship-driven music as she continues to balance her dancehall dominance with a renewed spiritual calling.
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