Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Sean Paul in performance at 'Party With The Stars', held at Palisadoes Go-Kart Track, last December. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

"I represent Jamaica. I love that. From long time I've been doing (it) since I've been swimming" - Sean Paul.

An ambassador of dancehall music, internationally acclaimed artiste Sean Paul has earned his award as the Gleaner's Entertainer of the Year.

His signature call of 'dutty yeah' has rang out across the world, bringing a little piece of Jamrock to foreign ears and infusing our culture into the minds of many.

With two successful crossover albums - the double platinum Dutty Rock and, more recently, last year's platinum The Trinity under his belt, the Dutty One has carved his own niche within the minefield of the music world.

While not having an album released in 2006, hits from The Trinity (which won the Billboard Music Award for Top Selling Reggae Album of the Year) kept Sean Paul in the limelight throughout the entire year. It was a year in which Sean Paul became the most successful Jamaican artiste on the billboard Hot 100 charts.

Winning the 'Best Reggae Act' at the MOBO awards, he was also nominated for two MTV music awards, had two World Music Awards nominations and, more recently, won 'Best Pop Act' at the American Music Awards (AMA).

Accolades

Sean Paul has accolades pouring in from all angles, but despite the fame he was still pleasantly surprised and honoured to be named Entertainer of the Year by his own people.

"The Gleaner is an institution that gives information to the rest of the country, so it makes me feel proud to be honoured, 'cause the rest of the country is finding out things from them and I feel that I'm getting in touch with the country," Sean Paul said.

Sean Paul said staying in touch with his fans, wherever they may be, is always important to him. He said that to keep in touch with local fans he tries to keep his songs current, voicing on all the latest rhythms; being present in the media helps as well. He added that having his picture in the paper and having people read about him lets him know that he was being heard.

Wanting to be heard and engaging his fans is what he sees as his role as a good entertainer.

It is a role in which Sean Paul is adept, having entertained packed arenas in Europe and, more recently, in the U.S., where he went on tour with singer Mariah Carey.

While he has tried to explore different areas in his music, Sean Paul always knows how to satisfy his audience. "My songs entertain a certain audience. There are audiences that want to wild out; that's the music I'm making and I know that," he said.

"When I try to express myself in other ways it's not really accepted and I don't really feel the same energy back from it. I'm trying to sell records, so I know who I'm speaking to in this business," he said.

It is undeniable that Sean Paul has crossed over into the mainstream; being dubbed Best Pop Artiste cements that fact.

Yet, he maintains he always stay true to his home island.

"A lot of people ask me why I don't move go foreign and it would be better for me. Honestly, on those promo days it would be. I would be able to just take a bus instead of having to take flights. But this is where I born and grow, this is what mek me and I want to help mek it for the future, this is why I'm here," Sean Paul said.