By Germaine Smith, Staff ReporterBORN SEAN Paul Henriques in Kingston on January 8, 1975, Sean Paul symbolises Jamaica's motto. His mother is Chinese Jamaican, while his father is a Portuguese Jamaican. Technically, this makes Sean a Chinese Portuguese Jamaican, but everything else about him screams Jamaican.
He grew up being called the 'Copper colour chiney bwoy', and just by living in the upscale area of Norbrook, St. Andrew, he became the definition of the stereotyped 'uptown youth'.
It was this background that placed certain barriers in his way to achieving recognition in the turbulent yet glorious world of dancehall music in Jamaica. Based on the history of dancehall music, Sean's background is not typical for getting into the business. For starters, he went to school at Hillel Prep., Wolmer's Boys' High (first to third form), Hillel Academy, then Belair Academy.
Afterwards, he went to the University of Technology to pursue courses in Hotel Management, and he even did a brief stint at the Institute of Management and Production (IMP).
BARRIER IN THE BUSINESS
These are not the usual routes chosen by traditional dancehall stars, and Jamaica had some trouble accepting Sean Paul coming from this background. In the March 2, 2003 issue of The Sunday Gleaner, Sean Paul's manager, Jeremy Harding, admitted that they faced barriers while trying to get into the business just because the artiste was seen as being too privileged.
"Definitely there was prejudice, but our love for the music overrides all of that. I mean, initially, they made fun of us, saying that 'You guys don't know anything about dancehall music', but we just persevered with the love that we had for the music," reasoned Harding.
He began in 1993 through the help of producers Rupert Bent and Paul Costick, and musicians Carrott Jarrett, Cat Coore and Bunny Rugs of Third World. His early influences were Shabba Ranks, Major Worries, Papa San and Lt. Stitchie.
He developed his lyrical muscles by constantly deejaying at school barbecues and making dubplates. In 1996, he formed a crucial partnership with the then aspiring producer Jeremy Harding, the founder and CEO of 2 Hard Records.
Jeremy had composed the 'Fearless' rhythm, and Sean graced the track with the tune Baby Girl, which eventually opened doors all over Jamaica for him.
THE RIGHT MIX
He continued to work on his skills while in the uptown-based crew 'Dutty Cup', and even after their split, due to 'creative differences', Sean Paul continued to nurse his 'sing song' voice and his lyrical arrangement techniques. In 1998, Harding's 'Playground' rhythm scored big on the local scene, and Sean's effort on the rhythm 'Infiltrate' became a smash just like the rhythm did.
A delicate mixture of the right producers with the right rhythms ensured that Sean Paul's name spread from Jamaica to the Caribbean and eventually to the United States. Teaming with Tony 'CD' Kelly, he did Deport Them on the 'Bookshelf' rhythm, a move which would guarantee him airplay in Miami and on New York's hip hop mix shows, later crossing over onto regular rotation on New York's Hot 97.
He then partnered with Steelie and Cleevie for his giant collaboration with Mr. Vegas, Hot Gal Today on the 'Street Sweeper' rhythm, another hit record which was later added to the soundtrack of the 2000 box office success Shaft.
In March 2000, his debut album Stage One was released by VP Records. At the same time, he and Mr. Vegas joined with producer Tony Kelly and rapper DMX for Top Shotta, a song on the urban flick Belly soundtrack.
According to his official website, this was when things really took off. Hot Gal Today and Deport Them made him the first reggae artiste to have two singles added at the same time to a major American radio station (NYC's Hot 97), and the first reggae artiste to simultaneously chart two singles from the same album (Hot Gal Today at number 66 and Deport Them at number 85) on the Billboard R&B Singles chart. Hot Gal Today also hit number six on the Billboard Top Rap Singles chart.
SOARING HIGH
As if these were not enough, things soared even further in 2003. It was this year that his second album Dutty Rock was certified double platinum (over two million sold) in the United States, while the single Get Busy was certified Gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association.
With that achievement, he joined Shaggy, Bob Marley and Beenie Man as Jamaican artistes who have sold gold or platinum for a single or album in that part of the world.
Also in 2003, Sean Paul grabbed a string of nominations and awards which would spice up any established artiste's résumé. At the MTV Video Music Awards, he was nominated in the categories of 'Best New Artiste in a Video' and 'Best Dance Video'. He did not win in any of the categories, but the nominations continued. At the MTV Europe Awards held in Edinburgh, Scotland, he was nominated in for 'Best New Act', 'Best Song' and 'Best Single' but won only in the 'Best New Act' category.
He grabbed 'The Source Award' for 'Best Reggae Album' this year as well, and was nominated for two American Music Awards. The crowning to all these and other achievements, however, came most recently when Sean Paul made history yet again. He became the first dancehall artiste to be nominated for three Grammy Awards.
He was nominated in the 'Best New Artiste', 'Best Male Rap Solo Performance' and 'Best Reggae Album' categories. The show, now in its 46th year, is scheduled for next February and is arguably the most prestigious music award show in the United States, and just to be nominated for such an award is saluted as an award in itself.
Sean Paul's management team, his family, his fraternity colleagues and Jamaica by extension, have much to be proud of from this 28-year-old man. With his own style, he has torn down several doors, and by all indications seems set to tear down a few more.
