Released in December 2025, Hot In December is a reflection of Marcelle Chérie’s personal and creative growth, prioritizing passion and intuition over industry expectations. The project captures the “nonstop party spirit” deeply rooted in Caribbean and African communities, extending an open invitation to celebrate—no matter the season.  

Marcelle recently explained the inspiration behind the project to me:  “I just want to stress the importance of finding joy through times of grief and hardship. Some people think parties are trivial, but I believe they’re spaces where people can come together in conviviality. Jamaicans have always been happy people at heart, and it means a lot to me to bring energy into those spaces through music.”

This three-song Afro-dancehall-infused project embraces a feel-good energy made for release, connection, and movement, while echoing Marcelle’s belief in finding love and joy even during difficult times. Rooted in her authentic love for celebrating life, Hot In December is an open invitation to turn up the island groove, regardless of the weather.  The project opens with “FI ME,” where Marcelle effortlessly floats over a sweet reggae riddim led by acoustic guitar. Centered on love, attention, and loyalty to that special someone, the track shines through its melodic chorus, which Marcelle delivers with warmth and grace.

“FTITR” (Finest Thing In The Room) once again showcases smooth guitar work layered over a strong bassline, as Marcelle delivers a confident and assured flow. The song reflects her growing confidence as a woman in dancehall—trusting her intuition and creating music that feels natural and true to her voice. The track hits immediately with its self-assured opening lines:  “He said he want to see the finer things in life. I said, that’s me. And when he look into my eyes, he feels my energy.”

Originally created earlier in her career, “TUN E UP” was revisited for this project after Marcelle felt the original version didn’t fully capture the right energy. Re-recording the vocals allowed her to refine the delivery and better align the song with the project’s overall feel. The result is a carefree, light-hearted performance carried by lovely vocals and a production that lands perfectly in party-ready territory.

With Hot In December, Marcelle successfully delivers on her concept—embracing the year-round party culture of Caribbean and African communities that don’t experience a traditional “winter” season. These are three feel-good tracks designed for movement, sensuality, and joy. At its core, the project is a reminder that music and celebration can be powerful forms of healing.

As Marcelle puts it, “I’m always going to make music that reflects the things I enjoy—and I love a good party!”

That is exactly what she delivers.

One Love, Todd M. Judd