Spice says ‘Hell No’ to bad influences - Queen of Dancehall starts school tour in Waterford

Dancehall superstar Spice, through her alter ego Grace Hamilton, has started her 'Ohhhh No School Tour', which she hopes will enthral children across Jamaica with the message, 'Temporary pressure can cause a lifetime of disaster'.

Her song Hell No, which questions social conventions and exhorts youth to reject anything that diminishes their value, inspired the tour. The single's music video created a stir on social media, with some people applauding the message and others disputing its significance. Motivated by the conversation and being a mother, Spice decided to speak to the young people directly.

"I felt like it was important for me to step in and let people realise that whether or not you like these words from the song Hell No, it is important to instil the message in our young adolescents," Spice told THE STAR on Monday, following the tour's inaugural stop at Waterford High School in Portmore, St Catherine. Songs and social media trends that promote dangerous behaviours -- such as substance abuse and unsafe sexual activities -- are being consumed by young people, but Hell No urges the youth to reject those influences.

"I even included my daughter, who is 14 years old, to sing the song, and that also created quite a debate among my peers and people on social media. But, as a mother, I wanted to make sure that I reminded them that you don't have to follow the trends that are happening," she said.

Spice gave a moving and captivating speech to the Waterford High students, warning them of the negative effects of giving in to social pressure. She also launched a social media contest, dubbed 'Hell No Challenge'. Students from the 10 schools she is set to visit during the tour can submit original performances via videos, highlighting their understanding of the song's message. The creator of the video that achieves the maximum social media interaction will receive a $1-million cash prize.

Waterford High's acting principal, Shaun Simpson, commended Spice's efforts.

"Spice is an artiste who the students really love, and to see her in a different light, it's a very good look. Grace Hamilton, the mother and role model, gives us the more positive side to her as she encourages and helps people along the way," Simpson told THE STAR.

Spice's alma mater, St Catherine High School, is on the tour's schedule, but she started with schools in Portmore, where she was raised. Spice said she is already impressed by the response, with more than 60 schools showing interest.

"I may have to do a part two and three, because there's a need for it," Spice added. Beyond the classroom visits, Spice is preparing for a busy 2025, which will celebrate the Mirror 25 album tour and her 25th year in the music business. She said she also intends to release a number of music videos.

Her dedication to inspiring young people extends beyond her music. Her choice to directly address societal concerns, especially those that affect women, has struck a profound chord.

"I wrote Hell No because of the offensive content in some songs and the negative social media trends," she said. "I had to intervene as a mother and tell them that this is unacceptable!"