Billboard-charting dancehall artiste Shenseea recently completed her first headlining tour of North America. The trek saw her making stops in multiple cities across the United States and Canada.

“It started out in Chicago and ended in Los Angeles. We also went to Montreal and Toronto in Canada. I also did Houston and Dallas in Texas for the very first time, which was pretty exciting. I didn’t even know that many people would have turned up… if I’m being honest, because Texas is kinda far out. We also did Miami and New York. I really enjoyed myself,” Shenseea told the Jamaica Observer on Monday.

She said mixed audiences were in attendance at the shows and she also shared the stage with guests, including Lola Brooke, Byron Messia, among others.

“We had a mixed audience comprising Caucasians, Haitians, Jamaicans of course, African Americans, and even people from Dominican Republic. Let me tell you, one thing I know when you see dem big artiste deh a perform pon di stage like the Beyonce’s, it nuh easy. To be given a full show and not just jumping up and down… and now I’m looking to grow. I’ve been running on the treadmill just to keep up my stamina on stage when I’m dancing. I’m also incorporating more choreography in my performances, so people can feel like it’s a full-on show. I want to give you guys more because its what you deserve,” Shenseea shared.

Now back on the island, Shenseea is looking forward to celebrating her birthday with her first-ever birthday festival, which takes place this Friday, September 27 at Plantation Cove in St Ann.

Asked what she is looking forward to most, Shenseea said: “Just to be surrounded and being celebrated, because a cyaan the age, ‘cause mi a go up inna age, and mi nuh like it not one bit. But I’m definitely looking forward to the love, because its my very first party and every one of my fans are invited.”

Shenseea’s birthday celebration will feature musical juggling by DJ Black Boi, DJ Scrappy, OB Khalibah, DJ Mac and DJ Baba, DJ Lollipop, DJ Shukkle Bus, Bishop Escobar and Fyahman.

Wurl Fresh will host the event, which, according to Shenseea, will also feature guest performances.

Shenseea

When pressed to reveal who some of her guest performers will be, Shenseea said: “No sah, yuh mad, me weh love surprises weh unu neva see coming yet. You have to come and enjoy yuhself. Mi nervous mi nuh know if people ago come or if it ago rain.”

In May, Shenseea’s sophomore album Never Gets Late Here debuted at #4 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart. It is the follow-up to Alpha, which was released two years before.

Asked how she has grown in between projects, the Hit and Run artiste said: “I understand the business more. Before, it was just a craft and just having fun. Now I’m more strategic, I’m more authentic, whereas I’m not trying to bite somebody’s sound like a culture vulture. No, we’re gonna collaborate and spread unity through the music. My status has grown, my hard work has been recognised, and I’m so content and happy with myself.”

Shenseea is currently riding the Billboard Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop and Rhythmic Top 40 charts with the song Work Me Out, which features Wizkid.

“Me and Wizkid worked before on his last album and I thought… who better to use on this Afrobeats-inspired track than Wizkid himself. He’s done great things, and I feel like he bust the doors open for all Africans in America, so I give him all his flowers. It was pretty easy working with him, he’s very chilled and down to earth,” Shenseea disclosed.

Her latest single Dating Szn (Options) is produced by Dwayne “Supa Dups” Chin-Quee, and it samples TLC’s 1999 hit No Scrubs.

“No Scrubs is one of my absolute favourite song because of the content. It’s speaking about women and their independence, their confidence, and that’s what I am about — empowering women. For them to clear the sample for me was such a big thing,” said Shenseea.

Last Friday, Shenseea’s 2019 hit Shenyeng Anthem was certified silver for sales exceeding 200,000 units in the United Kingdom by the British Phonographic Industry.

Prior to this achievement, Shenseea earned a gold certification in Canada for the song Blessed, which features Tyga.