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Shenseea Goes Global: From Dancehall to the Big Screen with the Smurfs

Dancehall heavyweight Shenseea has officially leveled up her global appeal — her vibrant track “It’s My Party” is featured on the official soundtrack of the upcoming Smurfs movie, aligning her with chart-toppers like Rihanna and Tyla (jamaicaobserver.com). The sweet icing on this blue‑carpet cake? Shenseea showed up at the world premiere in Brussels alongside a heavily pregnant Rihanna — and let me tell you, her visual branding was as sharp and polished as ever (urbanislandz.com).

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – MAY 28: Shenseea attends the “Smurfs” Global Premiere at Mont des Arts in Brussels, Belgium, on May 28, 2025. (Photo by Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)

📀 What This Means

  • Top‑tier placement: Being part of a major motion‑picture soundtrack ranks Shenseea alongside festival of A‑listers — Rihanna, Cardi B, DJ Khaled and more — reinforcing that she’s not just a dancehall star but a mainstream music force (wearemoviegeeks.com).
  • Visual prowess: Her stylistic finesse at the premiere — a sleek blue look to match the event’s theme — highlighted why big brands and studios trust her with visual storytelling.

🔹 Branding Brilliance in Action

Shenseea’s career has consistently been defined by bold visuals and strategic brand alignment:

  • Savage X Fenty ambassador, showcasing lingerie at global fashion events (urbanislandz.com, dancehallmag.com)
  • High-fashion premieres, from Coachella stages to Spider‑Verse screenings, each time delivering a distinct, crisp Dallas‑style confidence (apnews.com)
  • Strong signature aesthetic — from sleek haircuts to vibrant stage wardrobes — that reinforces her persona as a marketable, memorable artist

This visual consistency clearly piqued the interest of Paramount and Roc Nation, securing her spot in the Smurfs lineup and alongside rivals like Rihanna — talk about peer-level recognition!

🌟 Blue Carpet Moment in Brussels

On June 28, Brussels became the epicenter of pop‑culture fusion. Rihanna, dressed in custom Chanel and pregnant with baby number three, joined forces with A$AP Rocky — creating a fashion-forward family moment embraced by fans (people.com). Meanwhile, Shenseea dazzled in a tone-on-tone blue ensemble that screamed cohesion and class. She fit right into the Smurfs universe — not just in color, but in brand energy.

🎤 Artistic Growth & Global Reach

With standout performances on previous soundtracks like Bob Marley: One Love and Bad Boy: Ride or Die, Shenseea has steadily built a reputation beyond dancehall (jamaicaobserver.com). Now, with her voice on another high-profile platform, she’s perfectly poised to:

  • Amplify her fanbase across generations
  • Cement her transition from regional talent to global production star
  • Ride the momentum of a cinematic release with merchandise, visuals, and cross-promotional campaigns

✅ Takeaways for Cover Art Express

  • Alignment through visuals: Shenseea’s consistent branding (color themes, styling, public persona) made her a natural fit for family‑friendly Hollywood.
  • Strategic presence: Her movement across red carpets, streaming platforms, and ambassador roles exemplifies deliberate marksmanship in brand development.
  • Standing tall with superstars: Being featured alongside Rihanna — both on soundtrack and carpet — signals she is now in the big leagues.

🎬 Final Word

Shenseea’s “It’s My Party” isn’t just a song on a soundtrack — it’s a statement. Her impeccable visual branding and polished public persona make her a perfect collaborator for global content creators. From Savage X Fenty ambassador to Smurfs soundtrack standout, her trajectory shows she’s not just a dancehall queen — she’s a marketplace-ready powerhouse, ready to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the world’s biggest stars. And with premieres that deliver Instagram-ready visuals at every turn, she keeps proving she’s not just heard — she’s seen, remembered, and coveted.

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Kendrick Lamar Sweeps 2025 BET Awards with Visual & Musical Mastery

Kendrick Lamar at the BET Awards 2025

At the 2025 BET Awards, Kendrick Lamar once again proved why he’s not just a rapper, but a force of creative expression—winning five of the night’s most prestigious honors and reminding the world of the power behind a well-executed vision.

Held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and hosted by comedian Kevin Hart, the 25th anniversary of the BET Awards wasn’t just about the music—it was a celebration of Black excellence, bold creativity, and boundary-pushing artistry. And Lamar? He dominated.

A Night of Major Wins

Lamar’s critically acclaimed album GNX took home Album of the Year, triumphing over giants like Beyoncé, Chris Brown, and Doechii. His cinematic music video “Not Like Us” earned Video of the Year, while his soulful duet “Luther” with SZA won Best Collaboration.

He also earned his record-breaking eighth award for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist, and alongside his longtime creative partner Dave Free, took home Video Director of the Year—a nod to the storytelling power behind his visuals.

In his acceptance speech, Lamar paid homage to BET’s cultural legacy:

“BET has always made sure they’re representing the culture right and always put me in the midst of the cycle of what we represent.”

More Than Music—It’s Culture in Motion

At Cover Art Express, we celebrate moments like these—where vision, message, and design collide. Kendrick Lamar’s clean sweep at the BET Awards highlights something we stand for: great visuals carry weight. Whether it’s album covers, music videos, or merch design, how your work looks tells just as much of a story as the lyrics do.

This is the kind of storytelling that fuels our team. From the way “Not Like Us” gripped viewers visually, to how “Luther” moved audiences sonically and emotionally—each win wasn’t just about sound, it was about impact. That’s the level of artistry we strive to bring to every project we touch.

A Cultural Celebration

The night also honored icons like Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, Kirk Franklin, and Jamie Foxx with the Ultimate Icon Award—a reminder that influence isn’t momentary, it’s earned through years of creativity and courage. And with standout moments from Doechii, SZA, Chris Brown, and actors like Denzel Washington and Cynthia Erivo, the evening was more than a show—it was a movement.

What It Means for Creatives

Kendrick Lamar’s success at the BET Awards is more than just a personal achievement. It’s a call to creatives everywhere to dig deeper, create boldly, and present their vision with precision. Whether you’re dropping a single, launching an EP, or debuting your merch line—how it looks and feels matters.

At Cover Art Express, we help artists, labels, and brands translate that energy into stunning visuals—album covers, lyrics videos, merch designs, and more—because your message deserves more than just noise. It deserves presence.

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Jamaican Creatives, Protect Your Art: What the Eminem vs. Meta Lawsuit Teaches Us About Copyright and Opportunity

In a bold legal move making headlines globally, Eminem’s publishing company, Eight Mile Style, has sued tech giant Meta for a staggering $109 million over alleged unlicensed use of the rapper’s music across Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. According to court documents, Meta reportedly allowed 243 of Eminem’s tracks to be used in user-generated content without proper licensing—a violation Eight Mile Style argues has generated billions of views and significant profit without fair compensation. This landmark case highlights a critical issue facing creatives worldwide, especially Jamaican artists: the importance of protecting your intellectual property in the digital age.
Read more on SAN News

For Jamaican musicians, designers, and content creators, the lawsuit serves as a wake-up call. Whether you’re crafting music, visual art, or branded content, ensuring your work is legally protected is non-negotiable. That’s where Cover Art Express steps in. We don’t just design stunning visuals—we offer you a creative partnership that ensures your brand, cover artwork, and visual content are original, market-ready, and built to stand strong in an age of copyright battles. Our services include cover artwork, flyers, music visualizers, lyrics videos, and even website maintenance—all tailored for modern Jamaican creatives ready to make waves while guarding their brand identity.

If a billion-dollar company like Meta can allegedly misuse intellectual property, imagine the risks for smaller creators without legal and visual protection. At Cover Art Express, we empower creatives like you to rise above the noise—not just artistically, but legally. Don’t just post your art—protect it, brand it, and present it like a pro. Reach out today to learn how our packages can help you not only stand out but also stand firm in your creative rights.
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Mavado Responds to Arrest Warrant Issued in Jamaica

International dancehall star Mavado, real name David Brooks, is reportedly “very surprised” to learn that an active warrant for his arrest remains in effect in Jamaica.

Deputy Superintendent Randy Sweeney, head of the St Andrew North Police, confirmed that the entertainer is wanted for assault occasioning actual bodily harm related to an incident in 2018. However, he declined to disclose details of the case.

The warrant was issued on June 9, 2018, following a complaint from a man who was previously arrested and charged for allegedly opening fire on Mavado during the same period.

Mavado’s attorney, Oswest Senior-Smith, stated that the artist has always denied any wrongdoing, particularly the alleged assault.

In 2022, Mavado, who currently resides in the United States, publicly criticized the Jamaican authorities, calling the warrant “fake” and accusing certain officers at the Constant Spring Police Station of corruption.

As the legal situation unfolds, the dancehall community continues to follow the developments closely.

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Is Buying Views a Bad Thing?

In the music and entertainment industries, visibility can be the difference between staying undiscovered or making it big. Artistes today face unprecedented competition, with countless performers, musicians, and entertainers vying for the spotlight. For many, buying views has become a strategy to stand out in this crowded space. While this approach is often a controversial topic, it offers many benefits to artistes looking to expand their fanbase. For artistes, the main aim is to get noticed, there are many ways to do this, buying views is just one of them. Despite the constant outcry against bought views and likes (especially on youtube), It is safe to say that buying views isn’t necessarily a bad thing as it can become an asset to attract potential subscribers, create momentum, level the playing field for less established artistes and increase reach with fewer resources.

  1. Attracts Potential Subscribers and Creating Momentum

A higher viewership can create an opportunity for viewers to become more interested in a channel and encourage them to further explore its content. A major challenge for upcoming artists is gaining traction. Even when the content posted may be exceptional, sometimes it can become lost in the sea of content. Artistes  may want to increase their growth quickly, buying views can help with this because a sudden momentum can catch the attention of an algorithm that prioritizes content. It is a budgeted cost for many musicians and music executives as this small nudge can be instrumental in reaching a broader audience, ultimately attracting opportunities to work with brands and gain attention from other possible business partners.

  1. Leveling the Playing Field for Less Established Artistes

Established artists often benefit from large, dedicated fan bases that drive high engagement with their content, while emerging artists face challenges in achieving similar visibility. For newer talent, purchasing views can help level the playing field by advertising their content to stand alongside that of more prominent personalities. This boost can provide them with a fairer opportunity to showcase their talent, thus leveling the playing field, and reach audiences that may have otherwise overlooked their music.

  1. Increasing Reach with Fewer Resources

Promoting music or content on a large scale can be costly, and many artistes don’t have the financial resources for extensive advertising campaigns. Purchasing views offers a budget-friendly way to enhance visibility, particularly for artistes looking to reach international audiences. With a high view count, they’re more likely to attract the attention of new listeners around the world, opening up opportunities for cross-cultural reach and connection.

Buying views isn’t a substitute for great music or meaningful content, but when used strategically, it can help artistes build momentum in an increasingly competitive market. Like traditional advertising, buying views can be a practical tool in an artiste’s marketing strategy. When balanced with authentic engagement and quality work, it can be an effective way to expand visibility and support an artiste’s long-term success. For those looking to break into the industry or grow their following, buying views might just be the push they need to turn dreams into reality.

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Dancehall Legend Sean Paul Awarded Honorary Doctorate by UTech, Jamaica

In a moment of immense recognition, international dancehall icon Sean Paul was conferred with the Doctor of Letters Honoris Causa by the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) last Friday, marking a significant milestone in his celebrated career.

This prestigious award honored his exceptional contributions to music and his pivotal role in nation-building, further solidifying his status as one of dancehall’s most influential artists.

“Sean Paul’s success with his albums and live performances has earned him global acclaim, making him the first Jamaican artist to perform in countries like Kazakhstan and Madagascar, in addition to more than 100 other nations,” UTech stated.

Before achieving worldwide fame, Sean Paul, whose full name is Sean Paul Francis Henriques, was a student at UTech when it was known as the College of Arts, Science and Technology. He pursued studies in hospitality and tourism management but ultimately made the bold decision to leave his studies to follow his passion for music. This unorthodox path led him to become one of Jamaica’s most decorated musicians, boasting accolades such as a Grammy, a BET Award, and a Soul Train Award.

Returning to his alma mater to accept the honor, Sean Paul expressed a deep sense of pride and joy.

“This is a unique kind of pride, especially because I had the chance to share my journey and insights with the class of 2024,” he told THE STAR in an interview.

“The campus has evolved tremendously since I last visited, and it’s inspiring to see how UTech continues to produce individuals who will drive positive change,” he added.

In his address, Sean Paul reflected on his evolving dreams and shared valuable advice with the graduates, urging them to embrace change and take bold steps toward their goals.

“My message to the class of 2024 is simple: Don’t fear dreaming big, adapt to changes, and remember that change is inevitable,” he said. Despite not completing his degree, he credited UTech with instilling the discipline and strong work ethic that became the foundation of his success in music.

“At that time, I was like a blank canvas, unsure of what the final painting of my life would look like or where the future would lead me. But I remained committed to putting in my best effort, no matter the outcome,” Sean Paul shared.

Drawing from his experiences in the competitive music industry, he encouraged graduates to remain steadfast in the face of challenges. He acknowledged that every career path, including music, is fraught with difficulties and setbacks.

“Someone once told me that I was well-suited to this business, which is filled with egos, disappointments, and broken promises. I didn’t give up, and neither should you,” he urged.

Reflecting further in his interview, the artist emphasized perseverance and resilience as key to overcoming obstacles.

“Keep pushing forward, and remember that brighter days are ahead,” he encouraged.

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“Spice Launches Graci Noir: A Vibrant Clothing Line Inspired by Jamaican Culture”

Dancehall artist Spice is expanding her entrepreneurial ventures with the launch of her first clothing line, Graci Noir.

The brand’s official website went live on Thursday, and Spice marked the occasion with a virtual celebration alongside her three million Instagram followers.

Earlier in the week, Spice debuted a promotional video for the collection, featuring models of all sizes showcasing the stylish pieces.

The Graci Noir line includes a range of apparel such as tracksuits, jumpsuits, bodysuits, tops, t-shirts, and dresses, each uniquely named after popular Jamaican slang phrases.