'I am my biggest motivation'

Music industry was taken by storm when Sean Paul entered. He brought in some interesting beats and everyone was dancing to it on the dance floor.

He’s also collaborated with a number of popular artistes like Beyonce, Akon, Snoop Dogg, Enrique Iglesias and more.  The Jamaican rapper and producer will be performing at the opening ceremony of Pakistan Super League soon. In a chat with Anila Kurian, he talks about his time in the industry.

You've been in the industry for a long time now. How have you seen the music world change?
I’ve been trying to blend dancehall music with what’s popular right now. Dancehall music was popular globally and everybody has certain flavours. While there has been similar music before, there are more options now. However, trap music and techno are back now. I believe that it’s a fact of life that dance music is popular right now. Life is like a ball, it goes around.

In a time where hip-hop and EDM music is taking over, where would you place reggae music in the charts?

The dancehall music has a bit of hip-hop and RnB to it. It’s versatile and evolving. Whenever something becomes successful, it begins to deviate from what it originally was. However, I also think that we lost something in dancehall because of its commercialisation and everyone trying to perfect it. But I learnt from some of the popular artistes like Super Cat, Robbie and others how to balance that. A lot of people listen to reggae music but the artistes need more exposure. But with the mix of dancehall tracks, it’s making the charts. Even hip-hop producers have become more dancehall-oriented!

What was your music experience like growing up?

It’s my Jamaican origin that made me venture into reggae music. I am my biggest motivation. My love for music has helped me do good work till now. When I first came out, I was listening to Tony Rebel, Buju Banton and Terror Fabulous. They encouraged me a lot. Also, my mom loved the Beatles. That’s where I got a sense of melody and complementing harmonies from, before I got into dancehall.

Tell us about your favourite collaborations.

They are all awesome. I have learnt something from everyone I have worked with and I’m glad to be in this steam of profession.

Tell us something about the music you're working on. 

You won’t hear an album from me right now as I’m still doing tours. I have toured 500 countries all over the earth. I want to take my time in terms of bringing out the next album. But I’m performing for the Pakistan Super League and also making the anthem for it. I’m experimenting with my sound and looking for some good collaborations.

If you could go back and change something about your past, what would it be?

It would be great if the music industry took reggae and dancehall seriously and gave it the respect it needed. It’s like I’m still very proud of ‘Imperial Blaze’ because it’s an all-Jamaican produced album. It sold the least, but it is my most memorable piece of work especially as I worked so hard and the fight I got while creating it.

If you weren’t a musician, what would you be?

Maybe a sportsperson. I’ve never dreamt of winning a Source, Grammy, Billboard and American Music Award. I’ve been blessed to bring dancehall music to massive people internationally.  I’ve taken it to crazy heights. I’ve transcended from being a dancehall artiste to a global pop sensation.

If you could dabble in another genre of music, what would it be? 

I want my album or singles to define what dancehall is. I don’t want people to say, “Oh, but he’s pop,” “Oh, but he’s this,” “Oh, but he’s that.” So I’m doing mainly dancehall tracks. I work with producers who have proven reggae hits over the years. In my albums, I try to define what dancehall is. I don’t claim to be a big R&B singer. I know what I can do; I know what my assets are and that’s what I’m hitting at.