Shenseea’s advice to anyone who plans to be at her concert on Wednesday: “Save your energy.”

The popular Jamaican dancehall singer says she’s bringing “the vibes” to the pre-Cup Match show at the National Sports Centre this week.

Shenseea is the first Jamaican female to hit the Billboard Hot 100 in 17 years. On Wednesday, fans can expect to hear hits such as Pure Souls, a song that was featured on Kanye West’s Donda album, nominated for a Grammy Award for the Album of the Year.

Joining her for the show here is fellow Jamaican dancehall artist Ding Dong.

“I am excited about coming to Bermuda. It’s definitely something I’m looking forward to,” Shenseea told The Royal Gazette. “I don’t know what to expect from the crowd, but I sure know what you can expect from me – a memorable performance. I’m coming with the vibes. I hope you guys will save your energy.”

With a handful of songs on the Billboard chart Shenseea is “having an incredible year”, said Nasir Maynard, the CEO of local promoters, Envy Productions explained.

“I do consider myself a star from when I was born, to be honest,” Shenseea said. “But I’m just trying to unlock superstar level, not in the way to say [she’s a] superstar but to actually mean it, to say I’m actually filling out stadiums and arenas which is where I do see myself in the next five years.”

Meanwhile Ding Dong’s song Bounce is currently listed at number one on the Billboard charts in Jamaica; another tune, Happiness, is at number 3.

“They are both doing extremely well right now and are on separate international solo tours,” Mr Maynard said. “Shenseea recently left London in the UK, while Ding Dong just wrapped up a concert in St Vincent.”

Ding Dong, whose real name is Kemar Christopher Dwaine Ottey, was a dancer “before becoming a deejay and dancehall reggae recording artist”.

His song Bad Man Forward/ Bad Man Pull Up, topped the charts in 2005.

Shenseea, who was born Chinsea Lee, initially gained attention through her collaborations with fellow Jamaicans Vybz Kartel and Sean Paul and the American singer Christina Aguilera.

After signing a recording contract with Interscope Records in 2019, she raised her profile with the release of Blessed, a song featuring American rapper Tyga.

Along with West she was nominated for the 2022 Album of the Year by the Recording Academy having been featured on two songs from his Donda album – Pure Souls and OK OK Pt 2.

In 2021 Shenseea released Lick, a single featuring Megan Thee Stallion, from her debut album Alpha.

“I feel great about where I am right now,” said Shenseea, 25. “I think that I am the most privileged right now, in terms of the fact that I have achieved some success and I am right at the brim of achieving the success that I actually want.

“So I get to see who is real and who is not before unlocking that certain side of success.”

The concert’s organisers “pulled out all the stops to bring back live entertainment to the island after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic”.

Said Mr Maynard: “We’re excited to be bringing the highest calibre of affordable talent back to Bermuda for this pre-Cup Match event.

“Due to the pandemic, we haven’t been able to celebrate Cup Match with the same hype and excitement as we usually do, so this year is a chance to make up for lost time, while also enjoying our culture, community and traditions with one another.”

Mr Maynard has brought in a number of music and comedic talents over the past 20 years including Eddie Griffin, Mike Epps, DL Hughley and Gary Owen.

He is a strong believer that working hard behind the scenes – coordinating with the artists’ schedules, handling travel plans, work permits, accommodation, staging, vendors and other logistics – is what makes his shows a success.

Although both Shenseea and Ding Dong have visited the island before, and Mr Maynard said he was thrilled to be able to bring them back while they are “at the peak of their careers”.

“In Bermuda, our most popular genres, particularly among the younger generations, are dancehall, soca and Afrobeats, which has been growing in popularity recently,” he said.

The promoter promised Wednesday’s concert would be “one of the hottest shows in Bermuda in 2022”.

“That’s why we wanted to bring in Shenseea and Ding Dong down to the island once again. Bermuda just wrapped up a successful weekend of events for Carnival and this is the first real Cup Match we’ve had in a couple of years where people are ready to be outside again and just have fun.”

Wednesday’s concert at the National Sports Centre features Shenseea, Ding Dong, Harry Hype & Boom Boom and Bishop Escobar. Tickets, $100 general admission and $200 VIP, are available at Choices Mens Wear and www.bdatix.bm