Jamaica, the land that gave birth to the rhythmic hums of reggae and the daring dynamics of dancehall, is a region to which singer-songwriter Shenseea is intimately acclimated. The Kingston-raised musician’s hit songs incorporate hypnotic combinations of hip-hop, pop, and country—all delivered with authenticity and relatability. “When I just started,” says Shenseea, “I told myself I want- ed to be an artist people can relate to, making songs about concepts and situations that I know many are also experiencing, targeting different audiences with different stories.”

Shenseea’s homeland influences everything she creates. “My upbringing was the perfect balance between fun and work,” she says. “To this day, my country is my favorite place on Earth to be. Jamaican people are bold beings, and seeing local living legends achieve greatness internationally has motivated me to become one of them.”

Salaciously catchy, Shenseea’s music has reached audiences worldwide, with her 2022 debut album Alpha reaching number two on Billboard’s Reggae Albums chart. Thus far in her career, Shenseea has collaborated with industry giants such as Megan Thee Stallion, Sean Paul, Beenie Man, 21 Savage, and Offset. “Though I’m grateful for all my achievements, I try not to relish in what I’ve accomplished because I’ve always feared it will put me in a complacent state of mind,” Shenseea says. “I’m always thinking about how to hit my next target, constantly setting new goals.”

Among those goals is constructing looks that reflect her eclectic energy. “I think how you portray yourself says a lot about you as a person, and as an artist,” she says. “I want to attract as many eyes as I can to grow and gain more support towards my brand.” Well-earned accomplishments aside, the artist credits her son Rajeiro as her constant motivator. “He is the one who gives me hope when things get hard, reminding me to never give up. Aside from my own aspirations, he has truly given me a purpose,” she says. “My son makes me want to become the best version of myself.”

This story appears in the pages of GEN V4: now available for purchase!

Photography Sam Dameshek

Fashion Hunter Clem

Makeup Jaime Diaz

Hair Preston Wada

Set designer Teaghan Rohan

Photo assistant Vincent Lantzy

Fashion assistant Nick Rossi