During a recent interview with The New York Times, dancehall artiste Shenseea signalled to reporters that, “Mi haffi get one a dat,” as she paused by a glass case bearing the Grammy lifetime achievement award given to the late reggae legend, Bob Marley.

Today, the multi-Grammy-nominated artiste is closer than she’s ever been to making that dream a reality as she has been nominated in the Best Reggae Album category for her solo project, Never Gets Late Here.

Speaking with the Jamaica Observer about the power of manifestation, the Work Me Out hitmaker said, while it still feels surreal to have copped a nomination for the prestigious music award, she spoke all her achievements into being.

“It feels surreal! I’ve been waiting for this specific acknowledgement ever since I found out I could sing. So the reality still feels unbelievable. Nevertheless, I still try to be present in the moment,” she said.

“As a person, whatever you want for yourself you have to speak it out loud and believe it, because that’s how manifestation comes about. You have to speak it, believe it, and everything. All your intentions, all your decision-making, and your actions, are going to lead towards that purpose or towards that goal that you are trying to achieve. That’s how I know it works, because that’s what I’ve done for almost everything in my life.”

From her first major hit, Loodi, to now becoming a household name, the entertainer says she’s always envisioned herself among the greats and has been intentional about every single professional move. She is still, however, taken aback by how fast it all happened.

“I posted on my status that I am now amongst the greats and it’s just crazy that I’ve done this in eight years, you know? God has truly blessed me and I definitely believe I am one of his favourites. I’m in a category that not only includes Bob Marley but Kartel as well.”

Although this is not her first rodeo at the Grammys, having been nominated in the Album of the Year category by way of Kanye West’s Donda album back in 2022, Shenseea admits this one is particularly special as it solidifies her coming into her own as a solo artiste.

“This is my own body of work. I promised myself that I wasn’t going to attend the Grammys unless I got nominated for my own album in the reggae category. So here we are. Like I said before, manifestation is real.”

Always a team player, the entertainer says the moment of victory is even more sweet as she gets to experience it with a team that has been by her side since the inception. She credits a huge part of her nomination to her grass roots team at Romeich Entertainment.

“I didn’t do it alone. My entire team helped me to compose this project, so we’re all celebrating. It feels amazing to share in this moment with them because I’m a very loyal person, and to know that I came up with these people and they’ve watched the progress and been a part of the team since we were doing shows for free. It’s a different kind of celebration,” she said.

The entertainer, who lost her mother in 2020, said the late matriarch would have been on cloud nine learning of her Grammy achievement and would have cooked up a storm to celebrate the moment.

“[K]nowing her, she’d have the biggest smile on her face and jump up and down for joy. And cooking me a hefty meal,” she laughed. “Maybe some rice and peas with maybe oxtail or baked chicken…. She was quite the chef.”

Though rarely focused on the negativity in the industry, Shenseea told the Jamaica Observer that she’s sometimes grateful for the ‘hate’ directed her way. She said it acts as fuel for a fire that can only be quenched with more accolades.

“It’s been years now and I’m still current in the industry… I think that it would be worse if no one was talking about me. So the fact that they still talking, it motivates me and shows me that they’re still entertained.”

The artiste told Splash that should she walk away with the Grammy nod it would be a childhood dream come true.

“If we won, that would be a major milestone that I’ve crossed off my list as one of the top achievements that I wanted ever since I was a child. Something that has been driving me in this music industry is the dream of winning a Reggae Grammy, and that’s the top of the top for me. After that, everything else is a plus,” she said.

“I would have no words. The first thing I would do is thank God,” offered Shenseea.