Shenseea silenced her critics after dropping off her debut album, Alpha, on Friday.
For the past few weeks, the Jamaican singer has been getting a lot of hate on social media over her new music, but that all changed today when she dropped off her album. Some folks even admitted that they had to eat their words after listening to the body of work.
Shenseea was facing major criticism for the direction of her career leading up to her release date. There was some unification among those who did not favor her quest to dominate across multiple genres. Fans converged on Twitter last weekend to give Shenseea a spot on the trending list, as they discussed her new music and the focus of her career.
On March 04, Shenseea debuted a new song off the album, and the backlash was swift. “Deserve It,” which was produced by Rvssian, seemingly ditched Shenseea’s dancehall roots, opting for elements of pop and R&B to fill the gap. Shenseea flexes her vocals while performing a smooth dance routine to round out the performance. Her critics checking things out via TV-land seemingly found her latest offerings less than impressive.
One critic wrote, “Shenseea’s new music isn’t good. It’s not even her. She already had an international appeal with her dancehall vibe and music, all she needed was more push and good marketing. For fans who knew her before this, it’s really hard for us to accept what we’re getting now.”
The tweet in question has now been retweeted more than twelve hundred times, gaining more than four thousand five hundred likes in the process.
Another Twitter user wrote, “There are 73 pretty girls in America already making the music that Shenseea is trying to make. They’re also doing it a lot better than she. There has to be a better way.” That tweet was retweeted 138 times at the writing of this article and was liked 924 times.
Still, not everyone is in the business of bashing Shenseea’s decision to focus on gaining traction in an international market.
Those in support made it clear that entertainers from the Caribbean have no other choice than to conform in order to reach the level of stardom, pointing out the likes of Rihanna and Nicki Minaj.
In 2019, Shenseea signed to Interscope Records through Rvssian‘s Rich Immigrant musical imprint, moving from the Jamaican-based Romeich Entertainment, where her talents were discovered. In 2021 she announced her new manager Wassim “Sal” Slaiby, a force that has no doubt helped her transition. Tracks that have earned major pushback from fans included “IDKW” with Swae Lee and Young Thug, “Run Run,” “Lick” featuring Megan Thee Stallion, and “R U That” with 21 Savage. Dancehall heavy tracks such as “Upset,” “Rebel,” and “Dolly” have also been released within the space of a year and a half.
During an Instagram LIVE in January, Shenseea explained her decision to channel more of her energy into making it in other markets since she has spent the last five years crushing the local scene in Jamaica.
Alpha was released on March 11, and while local fans had doubts about the project, Shenseea has been getting a lot of support from fans, and those who were critical of her new music leading up to the release are now taking back those words.
Shenseea wanting to break into r&b and pop should be supported btw. Just like all of us, she has her own goals and direction she wants for herself. I think the problem is she conquers dancehall so well that to see her fighting up to catch her footing in another genre is hard.
— That Shaquille (@Shaq868_) March 5, 2022
Shenseea had a little clap back at some of her critics.
First they'll say you're crazy THEN they're gonna say "I'm proud of you" ??
— ShenseeaOfficial ? (@SHENYENG) March 5, 2022
Shenseea's album is a whole vibe!!! It's the perfect mixture of reggae, pop, dancehall and R&b,the songs cater to every kind of listener. Her versatility really showed on this album. Absolutely LOVE IT ????
— GenaMarie (@Ge_Marie97) March 11, 2022
Shenseea really showed us how important it is to believe in yourself even when the world doubts you.
— ????????_???????? (@trisanze) March 11, 2022
Not only is #ALPHA the #1 reggae album in the US rn but Shenseea has all of 10 songs trending in the hot 200. ??
#13 R U That
#14 Deserve it
#34 Lick
#42 Body Count
#59 LIICIL
Bouncy #60
#61 Can’t Anymore
#97 Henkel Glue
#195 Shen Ex Anthem
#197 TargetThat’s kinda iconic
— Paynefully ? (@jordanjopayne) March 11, 2022
When Shenseea say “gwaan and lowe me make me prosper” me feel it yf
— MG (@chowder_og) March 11, 2022
Me LOVE how Shenseea just shut unu up, the Album NICE bad bad bad! Yea man unu chat tooooo much
— Renee P. Moncrieffe ? (@renren_mon) March 11, 2022
After listening to shenseea’s album, if y’all say it’s crap then y’all are just hatin tbh
— peazy (@peazyyyy) March 10, 2022
Shenseea and Beenie Man when they were recording Henkel Glue ??#ShenseeaAlpha pic.twitter.com/54owZzcA2t
— NeKo RoMane ??? (@_romeko) March 11, 2022