Shenseea covers 'Hallelujah' — Says favourite holiday memory is first year as artiste

It's never too early to get into the Christmas spirit. Just ask Mariah Carey, who is ready to go the minute masks come off at Halloween or Dancehall Princess Shenseea.

The Jamaica artiste recently covered Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah for Carols Covered, Apple Music's collection of popular Christmas songs sung by contemporary artistes.

Shenseea told Apple Music she was struck by the song's gratitude.

"What strikes me from the original version is that, to me, it's a prayer," she said. "I'm always praying, and I'm always giving praises. I thank God every single day. I acknowledge Jesus just for blessing me with the voice that I have."

Shenseea joins a list of numerous artistes to have covered Hallelujah, including Michael Bolton, Jennifer Hudson, Bono, Willie Nelson and Celine Dion.

She also shared her fondest holiday memory. "My favourite holiday memory is my first year of being an artiste," Shenseea said. "Because before, I did not have much. When I became an artiste, I started to get more financially stable, and I was able to buy my son gifts, afford anything I wanted to eat, and I felt more content and relaxed."