SEAN - PAUL :: DUTTY YEAH!
The Exclusive

Fresh from a performance in Boston last weekend, Sean Paul is finally able to kick back with us. In a black bandana and matching Phat Farm shirt, Sean is mad cool yow. What was supposed to be a 45- minute interview turned into hours of just shooting the breeze.

He never imagined he'd be where he is today, he says, primarily because he was born into what may be considered a life of privilege by some. But music transcends all colours and classes. He's been a fan of dancehall music for as long as he can remember, deejaying since he was a kid in school while beating on the desks to build a 'riddim'- true Wolmerian style. More inclined to building beats, he did not consider becoming a deejay until he started writing songs of his own. Another "uptown" deejay, Jason "Don Yute" Williams played a significant part in Sean Paul's formative years as an artist. He admired Don Yute's approach to deejaying and this led Sean to begin making steps toward a career in the music business. However, this move was not met with much enthusiasm from his moms.

An artist (painter) herself, she wanted her son to pursue a steady 9 to 5 so that his life could be consistent and even more importantly he would have a steady pay check. "She taught me that ever since I was a kid…this… has its ups and downs… One day everybody will like your shit and the nex' day they…won't.." Sean still applies those same principles with this career choice, although he is not the lawyer/doctor/suit and tie type, he still wants to maintain a level of stability in the music business.

Whaddat: This business is very unpredictable; do you find it difficult to maintain consistency? Sean Paul: (Nods) that's why I have gone into…producing now as well. I produced two tracks on my last album and I produced a cd last year wid a couple jugglin', and I am working on two more 'riddim' now so I jus a go try keep busy. At first it may feel good to have a lot of free time…but you need to keep your mind up…when the vibes run out and there's nothing to do…I feel like shit. When me nah do something weh me feel a carry me somewhere mi nah do it.
W: Having started in 1997 you basically had a short ride to stardom, why do you think your success has come so quickly?
SP: (My situation) is different…A comment is…"Yuh brown eeh?" I guess I'm different from what people are used to. To me that makes me stand out in one instance… People will see me and seh I gwaan like mi hype but is not gwaan like mi hype. Is something I wanted to do, an' I want to do from my heart…I'm not no gimmick. This is me and if I not feeling something I am not going to stoop and do some shit for nutting.

With his new album scheduled to drop in August, Sean and producer, Jeremy Harding (2HARD RECORDS) are working fervently, selecting songs they think will make the cut. This time around there may be a reduction in the number of tracks on his album. The whole selection process is an intricate one. "To tell you the truth, every tune me do I feel dat it should be da shit out there, I feel every artist feel dat way" he says smiling, as he answers our question about how much freedom he has when selecting the singles that are released. However, this responsibility does not fall solely on his shoulders since he looks to his producer for guidance. Jeremy helps to give him direction in choosing songs that not only match the album's mood or concept but also keep listeners stimulated.

With the large number of artists releasing albums locally and the heightened popularity of dancehall music on an international level we ask Sean why more reggae or dancehall albums (including his own) have yet to gain gold, let alone platinum status...

SP: Because the companies we go with (Greensleeves, VP, etc.) are smaller companies compared to say, Sony…that have a whole lock on the market. Those companies are able to put out posters and do things for your album that small companies can't. Because VP is based in NY, 80% of my album sell in New York, they didn't cover Atlanta, dem didn't cover Washington, all those states in the East. It (the album) is being sold in those places but it is not being fully marketed in communities.

Delano

"...realize that there is no venue too big or too small, too outta the way, or too 'risto-cratic' for Renaissance"