Dancehall artiste Masicka says his nomination in the Best Caribbean Music Act category of the annual Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards is motivation for him to continue on his musical trajectory.

In an exclusive interview with the Jamaica Observer on Friday, Masicka said: “This MOBO nomination represents affirmation of the journey, not just mine, but the culture that raised me. Coming from Jamaica you grow up knowing the power of the music long before the world starts paying attention. So, to be recognised on a global platform like the MOBO tells me that staying true to my sound, my story, and my roots can still travel far,” said the They Don’t Know deejay.

Masicka went on to say that the work he has been doing has served to ground him in the culture.

He added: “At this point in my journey, it’s a reminder that growth doesn’t require compromise. I’ve evolved, expanded, and stepped into new spaces, but the foundation remains the same. As a Caribbean artist navigating global spaces, moments like this affirm that our music doesn’t need translation, it carries its own truth. This nomination is motivation to keep pushing the culture forward, opening doors, and representing home with pride wherever the music takes me.”

Masicka goes up against Lila Ike, Ayetian, Shenseea, Vybz Kartel, and Trinidad’s Yung Bredda for the coveted British award, which recognises and champions black music and culture across a wide spectrum of genres and disciplines in the United Kingdom.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the MOBO Awards and it will take place on March 26 at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena in the UK.

Last December, Masicka released his latest body of work, a seven-song EP titled Her Name Is Love.

Compared to his previous full-length project Generation of Kings, Masicka says Her Name Is Love is more about “showing the full picture”.

“I wouldn’t say it’s about widening my fan base, or changing who I am. It’s more about showing the full picture. Generation of Kings represented strength, survival, and dominance, but love has always existed in my music — even in the hardest moments. Her Name Is Love is me leaning into that side more intentionally. It’s not a new path; it’s another lane that was always there. Growth doesn’t mean abandoning your core, it means expanding it,” he said.

The artiste noted that he was able to express his creative freedom with the project as Def Jam respected my vision from the start.

“I had full creative freedom to explore the emotions, sounds, and stories I wanted to tell. There was no pressure to fit into a box or chase trends. The label understood that authenticity is what makes the music connect, and they trusted me to deliver that honestly,” he said.

Masicka shared what he enjoyed most about working on the project.

“This project allowed no expectations, no rules. I enjoyed creating music that feels intimate, reflective, and real. It was refreshing to let the songs guide the process. Love isn’t weakness, it’s balance. Strength isn’t only about toughness; it’s also about patience, understanding, discipline, and growth. I want listeners to feel that love can exist alongside ambition, pain, confidence, and resilience. It’s not one-dimensional,” Masicka reasoned.

He disclosed that it was a deliberate move in generating a particular sound on the EP.

“The sound had to match the emotion. Certain stories need space, melody, and rhythm to fully translate. Afro and R&B elements allow the music to breathe and create a different kind of connection, but the foundation is still rooted in who I am. It’s evolution, not replacement,” shared the artiste.