Jamaica Observer’s Entertainment Desk continues its look at the major stories which helped to shape 2021.

SHENSEEA created Music of Black Origin (MOBO) history in early December when she became the first female to win the Best Reggae Act category.

She shared her excitement with the Jamaica Observer shortly after the announcement.

“It feels great to have won because it’s my first. I’ve always wanted to win one and the time I least expected to get it was the time I won. I just wanna express my gratitude to my ‘Shenyengs’ who voted, and big up the MOBO Awards,” said Shenseea.

Shenseea said she always had her sights on the MOBO Award.

“It’s now added to my accolades. Every award I said I wanted to win, I’ve won. A MOBO Award is just one that I now check off the list and it motivates me as well to unlock further achievements,” she said.

Previous female nominees in the category throughout the years were Etana and Spice.

Spice (her second nomination), Skillibeng, Popcaan, Lila Iké and Sean Paul were the other nominees in the Best Reggae Act category. The awards took place at the Coventry Building Society Arena in London, England, yesterday.

Buju Banton won the Best Reggae Act award last year.

Shenseea, whose real name Chinsea Lee, is 25 years old. She exploded onto the musical radar in 2016 with the collaboration Loodie featuring Vybz Kartel. Her subsequent hit songs include Side Chick Song, Run Run Run, Blessed, Trending Gal, Lighter (with Tarrus Riley), Love I Got for You, and Shenyeng Anthem.

Her major label debut album for Interscope is expected to be released this year.

The MOBO Awards is the UK’s version of the the US’s Grammy Award. It was started in 1996 by Kanya King to celebrate the incredible talent, of black origin, making music in the United Kingdom. It honours the artistic and technical achievements of exceptional British and international talent in hip hop, grime, R&B and soul, reggae, jazz, gospel and Afrobeats.