Boomshots

Tag: Sean Paul

  • WATCH THIS: Sean Paul ft. Busy Signal “Boom” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    WATCH THIS: Sean Paul ft. Busy Signal “Boom” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    Promoting Unity within the Dancehall Genre

    When Sean Paul began elevating uncut Jamaican dancehall into the pop charts during the early 2000s, the records that impacted popular culture were not crossover attempts dreamed up by major label A&R reps. They were juggling riddims like 2Hard Productions’ Playground riddim, Troyton’s Buzz riddim, Lenky’s Diwali riddim, and Tony Kelly’s Buyout riddim. Besides topping the charts, winning a Grammy for his 2002 breakout album Dutty Rock, and appearing on the cover of VIBE magazine, Sean Paul went on to work with global superstars from Beyoncé and Rihanna to Busta Rhymes and DMX. Despite his global achievements, Sean Paul never separated himself from the authentic dancehall sounds of Jamaica. His latest album Live N Livin, released on the artists’ own Dutty Rock Productions imprint, finds him collaborating with a galaxy of stars from Jamaican dancehall culture, ranging from household names like Damian Marley and Mavado to rising stars like Intence and Govana—giving them a strength and promoting a much-needed spirit of unity within dancehall. “I am still signed to Island Records,” says Sean. “They’ve done something real unconventional so I really have to tip my hat to them. They’ve always given me permission to work with local producers like Jordan from Chimney and Stephen McGregor. But this is something that’s never been done before. They’ve given me permission to release an album on my own label.” Today Boomshots and VIBE proudly premieres the brand new visuals for “Boom,” a wicked collaboration between Sean Paul and the Turf President himself, Busy Signal. “I rate him as one of the best lyricists in the genre,” Sean says of Busy. “For me this is an attempt to really shine a light on his career. He’s done amazing works from the hardcore dancehall to people like Major Lazer. So this song is my way of saying that I would endorse this dude as one of the dopest.” Video After The Jump…  (more…)

  • Spice’s “Go Down Deh” Goin’ UP Deh With A Little Help From Shaggy and Sean Paul

    Spice’s “Go Down Deh” Goin’ UP Deh With A Little Help From Shaggy and Sean Paul

    Amazing Grace Brings The Heat & Tops The Chart

    One thing about Spice—she knows how to make an entrance! The reigning Queen of Dancehall arrived at the official release party for her highly anticipated new single “Go Down Deh” this weekend dressed like Cleopatra, reclining on a golden couch held aloft by four muscular bare-chested men in ancient Egyptian finery. The event took place in Atlanta, which has been a sort of home away from home for Spice ever since the Jamaican-born star became a recurring character on VH1’s hit reality show Love & HIp Hop Atlanta. Now back in production after a coronavirus hiatus, the show’s cameras filmed Spice’s big launch event for its upcoming season. Dancehall hitmaker Shaggy was in the building to support Spice for the special night—he and Sean Paul are both featured on the infectiously catchy song, bringing some serious star power to the tune, which shot straight to the top of the iTunes Reggae Chart. The video, directed by Jay Will, is full of flashing lights and sexy bodies in motion, and it’s closing in on its first 1 million views as of this writing.  Video After The Jump… 

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  • WATCH THIS: Sean Paul “Scorcha” Official Music Video

    WATCH THIS: Sean Paul “Scorcha” Official Music Video

    Style a Style, Scorcha a Scorcha

    Don’t sleep on Sean Paul. IThe dancehall phenomenon released his debut album, Stage One, 20 years ago and went on to hit the No. 1 spot on the U.S. pop charts not once but four times — first with his own single, “Get Busy,” then with his fire Beyoncé collab “Baby Boy.”  SP went on to repeat the feat  in 2005 with “Temperature,” and again in 2016 with Sia on “Cheap Thrills.” Along the way he’s elevated respect levels for the dancehall genre worldwide and racked up eight Grammy nominations, taking home the Best Reggae Album trophy for Dutty Rock in 2003. Over the years Sean’s hairstyle has changed from cornrow braids to a Mohawk, and even now that he’s rockin’ a buzzcut, one thing remains the same: The dutty yute spits fire every time he steps in the booth. His rare gift for crafting irresistible hooks has powered guest appearances with everyone from global pop stars like Rihanna to U.K.-style joints like “Boasty” with Wiley, Idris Elba and Stefflon Don to uncut dancehall tracks like Stylo G’s “Dumpling” Remix alongside Spice. Taking control of his business dealines, SP established his own label, Dutty Rock Productions, through which he’s released various artist riddim compilations like the “Gang Gang” and the “Callaloo.” He released his own hardcore dancehall project Live N Livin last month, featuring the likes of Buju Banton, Busy Signal, Jesse Royal, Masicka, Skillibemg, and Squash. Today SP drops his latest music video off the project, “Scorcha,” which finds him flowing over Chimney Records’ red-hot “Style a Style” riddim. The visuals were directed by Jay Will so you know it’s Game Over. From “Gimme the Light” to “Temperature” Sean always brings the fire, so when he says “man a scorcha” you best believe it. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • WATCH THIS: Sean Paul “Back It Up Deh” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    WATCH THIS: Sean Paul “Back It Up Deh” Official Music Video PREMIERE

    Peep SP’s IGTV Interview With Reshma B

    As the first—and only—dancehall artist to appear on the cover of VIBE magazine, Sean Paul has been making history and breaking down musical barriers throughout his career. The Grammy-winning hitmaker has collaborated with some of the biggest stars in urban music, from Beyoncé and Rihanna to DMX and Busta Rhymes, but his come-up was driven by raw uncut dancehall straight off the streets of Jamaica. After more than 20 years in the game, Sean is still going strong, dropping his dutty flow alongside the likes of Stefflon Don, Jhene Aiko, and Dua Lipa. But he’s not just the go-to for a hot yardstyle 16, he’s also an accomplished producer. Sean’s Dutty Rock Productions label has released riddims like “Rope,” “Gang Gang,” “No Caption,” and “Callaloo.” Today VIBE premieres Sean’s latest production, “Back It Up Deh,” a song that pays tribute to the dancehall queens who bust moves when the riddim drops. “I used to want to go to see what the ladies was wearing,” Sean Paul recalled in an exclusive interview with Reshma B. “It was just very sensual outfitting. And then the dancing, it was so free. That’s what I really loved about the culture as a kid. You got involved.” Although street dances are on pause during these quarantine times, Sean’s latest release, and the high-energy video might just have you backing it up while you shelter in place. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Top Shotta: Video Director Kieran Khan

    Top Shotta: Video Director Kieran Khan

    “Success is no accident”

    Born in Guayana, raised in the Bronx, and now based in Toronto, Kieran Khan has built a reputation as one of the most in-demand video directors on today’s dancehall scene. The umbe and hard-working visual craftsman is fond of quoting football legend Pele, who once said, “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.” When Kieran suddenly found himself catapulted into success as the official videographer to international stars like Sean Paul and Cardi B, it was a moment that had been over a decade in the making, but which unfolded in the blink of an eye. Ten years of focus, perseverance, sacrifice, learning on the fly and prompt turnaround, combined with his down-to-earth, charismatic persona has finally paid off. But Khan’s work ethic continues to be his driving force. Consistently rising to the occasion even under strenuous circumstances, Khan has learned that dreams can come true in the blink of an eye. Fresh off the release of his latest collaboration with Sean Paul, “Back It Up Deh,” Boomshots asked Kieran to share some of the stories behind his most memorable productions. Check out the first edition of our new series, focusing on the visual artists who bring the music to life, “Top Shotta.” Videos After The Jump…
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  • K Queens: Dancehall Royalty

    K Queens: Dancehall Royalty

     

    Dancehall’s Regal Twins Discuss Their Career and Their Collaborative New Single

    Twin sisters, Kaydine and Kerrine Francis, K Queens, have sung in close harmony from a young age. Sharing the stage for over a decade, K Queens have earned dancehall’s highest ratings. Their latest single “Jamdown Ranking” produced by Sugar Bear, on Rayvon’s GTC (Get That Cheddar Entertainment) Label; distributed by Tuff Gong International, is a remake of Althea and Donna (Althea Forrest and Donna Max de Reid)’s “Uptown Ranking.” The song’s “I’m Still in Love” riddim, was originally produced by Joe Gibbs in 1977. Alton Ellis hit song “I’m Still In Love” on this riddim, was later covered by Marcia Aitkens in 1987. In 2002, Sean Paul and Sasha revitalized the song, “I’m Still in Love” on the album, “Dutty Rock.” In the summer of 2018, Jay-Z and Beyonce used Aitken’s version of “I’m Still in Love” in the promotional ad for their second tour. In November 2018, K Queens laid down Up-to-Date lyrics over the Sugar Bear remodeled beat, for the modern, “Jamdown Ranking.” We caught up with the Duo, K Queens to discuss their music over time and their latest musical projects. Interview After The Jump…

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  • PREMIERE: Chi Ching Ching ft. Hanging “Rope” Official Music Video

    PREMIERE: Chi Ching Ching ft. Hanging “Rope” Official Music Video

    Watch The Tall Man Ropin’ In the Open

    From Josey Wales to Clint Eastwood the Lone Ranger and the Wild Apache, Jamaican dancehall stars have enjoyed playing cowboys and Indians for years. The latest artist to draw inspiration from the Wild Wild West is Chi Ching Ching, whose latest dance craze anthem is called “Rope,” taken from the album Turning Tables coming this September from Dutty Rock Productions. Today Boomshots proudly premieres the visuals for the song, shot in a dusty saloon straight out of Dodge City or maybe Westworld. Featuring a cameo from the Dutty boss himself, the “Rope” video will teach you and your whole street—from Canada to Slovakia—exactly how to rope. Maybe that’s why Sean Paul says “Rope is Hope.”  Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Sean Paul “Like This”

    HEAR THIS: Sean Paul “Like This”

    Mad People Ting Dey Should Know RRRRRR!!!

    Atlantic Records did Sean Paul a big favor by dropping him a couple years ago. What seemed like adversity at the time only helped prove his brand is strong regardless of label affiliation. Dutty Paul and his 11 million Facebook fans didn’t need a major cosign to make hits or get booked on big shows. And right now the dutty yute is kinda killin’ it. Ten years after he topped the Billboard pop charts with “Temperature”, the dancehall star returned to the top spot this year via “Cheap Thrills,” a collaboration with Sia that was the biggest song in the U.S.A. for much of this crazy summer of 2016, when the entire music marketplace felt like one big tropical house party. Meanwhile in Jamaica, Sean Paul’s “Crik Neck” tune with Chi-Ching Ching is popping on the street dance circuit. Now signed with Island Records, Sean linked with labelmate Ricky Blaze to cook up this hard-edged digital banger. “I grew up listening to Sean Paul so I was pretty excited to have the opportunity to work with him,” says Blaze, the producer responsible for Gyptian’s “Hold Yuh” and Ding Dong’s “Badman Forward” among other smashes. “It was an honor to work with him.” New tingz via our peoples at Mass Appeal. Audio After The Jump… (more…)

  • Sean Paul Comes Through To “Dutty Up” OVO Fest Night 1

    Sean Paul Comes Through To “Dutty Up” OVO Fest Night 1

    The Dancehall Superstar Even Dropped His Tory Lanez Remix

    Although Beenie Man was unable to attend OVO Fest Night One as planned due to health issues (The Doctor was undergoing treatment for the Zika virus), surprise guest Sean Paul came through just in the nick of time to dutty up the place.  Running through all his hits, from “Gimme The Light” to “Get Busy” and “Temperature” even “Like Glue,” SP even kicked a few bars from his remix to “Luv” by Toronto rude bwoy Tory Lanez. Did anybody tell him that Drake and Mr. Lanez are not exactly on the best of terms at the moment? The guest appearance from Rihanna wasn’t a bad look either. How Drizzy convinced her to skip her beloved Crop Over in Barbados we’ll never know. Maybe those two really are serious. Video After The Jump… (more…)

  • Sean Paul Signs With Island Records

    Sean Paul Signs With Island Records

    Dutty Paul Has The Last Laugh

    Two years after parting ways with Atlantic Records, Grammy-winning dancehall superstar Sean Paul has signed a new contract with Island Records, according to Kevin Jackson at the Jamaica Observer. After making history with a series of chart-topping releases for VP/Atlantic, Sean has stayed Gettin’ Busy as an independent artist, recording hit features with acts ranging from Enrique Iglesias to Major Lazer and most recently Sia. The Australian-born star’s Dutty Paul duet “Cheap Thrills,” has already topped Billboard’s Dance Music Club Play chart and now sits at #6 on the Hot 100. Video & Full Story After The Jump… (more…)

  • Reasoning with Beenie Man: “The music is Jamaican; the problem is, America can make it too.”

    Reasoning with Beenie Man: “The music is Jamaican; the problem is, America can make it too.”

    The Doctor Talks Drake, Popcaan & Kartel

    “Drake from Canada—Beenie Man from Jamaica—dah one yah a murda! Zagga.” When Drake’s album Views dropped at the end of April, Popcaan fans were surprised to hear a new voice on “Controlla”—a vintage Beenie Man sample appeared where Popcaan’s lyrics used to be. With Drake’s album topping the charts and breaking sales records this was obviously a big deal, and it set off all sorts of debates about why the 6 God made that move—and whether he truly respected reggae and dancehall or was just tapping into the flavor of the moment. But Beenie Man is not bothered. Having collabed with the likes of Wyclef and Janet Jackson the Grammy-winning DJ who dropped the single “King of the Dancehall” back in 2004 is taking the whole situation in stride and focusing on his new album Unstoppable, which features collabs with Sean Paul and Busta Rhymes among others. We caught up with Beenie near the end of his European tour to talk about Drake, Popcaan and his thoughts about Vybz Kartel’s new album title. (In case you missed the memo, Kartel’s dropping an album tomorrow provocatively titled King of the Dancehall.) “The name of an album and the name of a person different,” said Bounty Killer during a recent appearance On Stage. “But me know say it provoking still. Him provoke Beenie fe true, just like when Beenie Man say him ah de king, him did provoke Yellow Man. And tell you what: is not one king. You have the king of all kings, but there are several kings. Kings come down different generations. So I guess Kartel is trying to say that him ah the king of this generation.” Pressed on the point Killer admitted that his former protege Kartel (who he’s definitely had some issues with over the years) is now ruling the dancehal. “He is the king of this generation, you can’t deny that. Weh you ah go do, fight it? For the last ten years, ah him. Me can’t say nuttin’—him ah de young king deh. If him wan’ piece of the king ting—him can hold on pon the young king. He’s not no prince anymore, after a decade. I’m not being biased. Him a young king, mon.” Let’s see what Beenie has to say about that. Interview After The Jump… (more…)

  • HEAR THIS: Falcons & Juelz “Gyal Dem Move”

    HEAR THIS: Falcons & Juelz “Gyal Dem Move”

    Something For The Bike Back

    Hot on the heels of the Terra EP—cosigned by the likes of Q-Tip and Virgil Abloh—Fool’s Gold signee Falcons teams up with young Canadian producer Juelz on the scorching hot “Gyal Dem Move.” Arriving the first day of Summer-like weather in New York, the hazed-out beat, strewn with hyperventilated Sean Paul samples, hits the spot. Audio After The Jump…
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