Sean Paul | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Paul in 2024 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Sean Paul Ryan Francis Henriques (1973-01-09)9 January 1973 (age 53) Kingston, Jamaica |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Labels | |
Spouse | |
| Website | allseanpaul |
| Children | 2 |
Sean Paul Ryan Francis Henriques[4][5]OD (born 9 January 1973)[6][7] is aJamaican rapper, singer and songwriter. His first album,Stage One, was released in 2000. He gained international fame with his second album,Dutty Rock, in 2002. Its single "Get Busy" topped the USBillboard Hot 100 chart in the United States, as did "Temperature", off his third album,The Trinity (2005).[8][9]
Paul frequently invokes the nickname "Chanderpaul", originating from the similarity between his first two names and cricketerShivnarine Chanderpaul. In the Vice documentaryThe Story of 'Get Busy' by Sean Paul, when asked "How did you become 'Sean Da Paul'", Paul recalls how others would call him Chan-der-paul, and the name stuck. He then started saying it in shows and recordings.[10]
Most of his albums have been nominated forGrammy Awards forBest Reggae Album, withDutty Rock winning the award. Paul has been featured in many other singles, including chart-toppers "Baby Boy" byBeyoncé, "Breathe" byBlu Cantrell, "What About Us" byThe Saturdays, "Rockabye" byClean Bandit, "Cheap Thrills" bySia, and "Fuego" byDJ Snake. "Cheap Thrills" and "Rockabye", along with Paul's own "No Lie" (2016), each have over 1 billion views on YouTube, with "Rockabye" having reached over 2.7 billion views.[11]
Sean Paul Ryan Francis Henriques was born inKingston on 9 January 1973. His mother Frances, a painter,[12][13] is ofEnglish andChinese Jamaican descent.[14][15] His Portuguese paternal great-grandfather'sSephardic Jewish family emigrated fromPortugal to Jamaica in the 17th century.[16] Paul’s father also hasAfro-Jamaican ancestry.[17] Paul's father, Garth Henriques, was believed to be descended from Portuguese horse thieves who were fleeing from bounty hunters in a ship that sank in Jamaica.[18]
Paul was raised as aCatholic, although he also attended the Jewish private school Hillel Academy in Jamaica.[19][20] Several members of his family are swimmers. His grandfather was on the first Jamaican men's nationalwater polo team.[21][22][23] His father also playedwater polo for the team in the 1960s, and competed in long-distance swimming, while Paul's mother was a butterfly swimmer.[24] When Paul was 15, his father was arrested on charges ofmanslaughter and sentenced to 15 years in prison; he was released for good behavior when Paul was 19.[16][25]
Paul played for the national water polo team from the age of 13 to 21, when he gave up the sport in order to launch his musical career.[25][26] He attendedWolmer's Boys' School[25] and the College of Arts, Science, and Technology, now known as theUniversity of Technology, where he was trained in commerce with an aim of pursuing an occupation in swimming.[citation needed] In 1992, Paul worked as abank teller and enrolled in a hotel-management program, learning the basics of French cuisine.[16]
In 1994, Paul appeared in Carrot Jetter's music video "Nice Time".[27][28]
Zachary Harding told his brother, Jeremy, about a singer that he had heard perform live at a smallopen mic event in Kingston, who sounded a lot likedancehall deejay andtoasterSuper Cat.[29] Jeremy eventually met the singer when Paul came by his studio to ask for some advice. During the meeting, Paul recorded a vocal over Harding's rhythm track and in the process created the song "Baby Girl".[29] Jeremy subsequently became Paul's manager and producer.
Paul began hanging out at the studio every day, and the pair collaborated on several more tracks. When they recorded "Infiltrate" they decided they had something good enough to get on the radio. As Paul started to attract local attention,[30] Harding began looking after his affairs. He later toldHitQuarters that his support of Paul's fledgling career initially led him assuming the roles of "DJ, manager, road manager, and security-guard".[29]
Paul made a cameo appearance in the 1998 filmBelly on stage performing. He made a successful collaboration withDMX andMr. Vegas, "Top Shotter", to thesoundtrack of the film.[31][32]
In 2000, Paul released his debut album,Stage One withVP Records. In the same year, Paul collaborated with Canadian rapperKardinal Offishall and singerJuly Black on the song "Money Jane" from Offishall's albumQuest for Fire: Firestater, Vol. 1.
In 2001, Paul continued his work with manager and producer Jeremy Harding, Paul released a single "Gimme the Light" after writing and recording his lyrics to the "Buzz"riddim, the single turned out to be a nationwide success in Jamaica and eventually became a worldwide smash hit in 2002,[33][34] ultimately reaching number 7 on theBillboard Hot 100, the early crossover momentum of the single would help Paul secure a record deal withAtlantic Records in a joint venture deal with his labelVP Records, the single would then appear on his second studio album,Dutty Rock which was released in November 2002.[35] All of its latter hit singles would also receive airplay and rotation onMTV andBET.
In early 2003, the second single "Get Busy" was released and would end up topping theBillboard Hot 100 months later, making it Paul's first number-one hit, it was also the first ever dancehall song to top the chart.Dutty Rock became a worldwide commercial success, peaking in the top ten on theBillboard 200, was certified double-platinum by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and eventually selling over six million copies worldwide.Dutty Rock won theBest Reggae Album at the46th Annual Grammy Awards in 2004. "Get Busy" was also nominated forBest Male Rap Solo Performance in that year. Simultaneously, Paul was featured onBeyoncé's U.S. number-one hit song "Baby Boy", and alsoBlu Cantrell's "Breathe"[36] which did not perform well in the United States but was a massive hit in Europe. This album not only further popularizeddancehall music in the 2000s, but also helped developed and popularized the genre ofdancehall pop.[37]
Paul's third albumThe Trinity was released on 27 September 2005. The album debuted at number 5 on theBillboard 200, breaking records with its first-week sales for a reggae/dancehall artist, eventually going Platinum in the United States and selling 4 million copies worldwide. The album produced five big hits, "We Be Burnin'",Ever Blazin'", "(When You Gonna) Give It Up to Me" (featuringKeyshia Cole), "Never Gonna Be the Same", and the U.S. chart-topping smash hit "Temperature", making it his third number-one hit on theBillboard Hot 100 with "Temperature" becoming one of his signature hits.[38] The video of "(When You Gonna) Give It Up to Me" was featured in the filmStep Up in 2006. He was nominated for four awards at the2006Billboard Music Awards, includingMale Artist of the Year,Rap Artist of the Year,Hot 100 Single of the Year, and Pop 100 Single of the Year for "Temperature".[39] He also won anAmerican Music Award for "(When You Gonna) Give It Up to Me", beatingKanye West andNick Lachey, who were also nominated for the award. "Send It On" fromThe Trinity featured on the 2005 VauxhallCorsa advert. Paul often contributes his songs to variousRiddim Driven albums by VP Records. In March 2007, he returned to Jamaica to perform at the2007 Cricket World Cup opening ceremony.
Paul appears in the video gameDef Jam: Fight for NY as part ofSnoop Dogg's crew and again in the game's sequel,Def Jam: Icon.
Paul's fourth albumImperial Blaze was released on 18 August 2009. The lead single, "So Fine", which was produced byStephen "Di Genius" McGregor, premiered on Paul's website on 25 April 2009.[40][41]
The album consists of 20 tracks including "So Fine", "Press It Up", "She Want Me", and "Private Party", which are party tracks, and also love songs such as "Hold My Hand" (featuringKeri Hilson), "Lately", and "Now That I've Got Your Love", among others. Producers on the album include Don Corleone, Jeremy Harding, and Paul's brother Jason "Jigzagula" Henriques.[42] All the songs of the album were added to Paul'sMyspace page on the day of release of the album.[43]
The album spawned eight music videos: "Always On My Mind" withDa'Ville, "Give It to You" withEve, "Watch Dem Roll", "Back It Up" with Leftside, "Push It Baby" withPretty Ricky, "Hit 'Em" with Fahrenheit and his brother Jason "Jigzagula" Henriques, "Come Over" withEstelle,[44] and also the video of his first single, "So Fine".
Paul appeared inShaggy's video, "Save a Life", which also includes appearances fromElephant Man and Da'Ville, among others. In an effort to raise money for a children's hospital, Shaggy, Paul, and others had a benefit concert. All proceeds went towards getting new equipment and technology 'For Aid to the Bustamante Hospital for Children'. During the premiere forM-Net'sBig Brother Africa: All-Stars on 18 July 2010, he performed his songs "Temperature", "Hold My Hand", and "So Fine".[45]
Paul's fifth albumTomahawk Technique was released on 24 January 2012. The first single, "Got 2 Luv U", features vocals from American singerAlexis Jordan. The song was written by Paul,Ryan Tedder, andStargate, who also produced the song.[46][47][48]
"She Doesn't Mind" is the second single from the album. It was written by Paul,Shellback, andBenny Blanco and was also produced by Shellback and Blanco. It was released on 29 September 2011 onNRJ andSkyrock (French radios), and toiTunes on 31 October.[49] Like its predecessor, "Got 2 Luv U", it topped the charts in Switzerland, but it debuted at that spot. Paul appeared on theNever Mind the Buzzcocks episode, which aired on 21 November 2011.
Tomahawk Technique was released on 18 September 2012 in the U.S. The album was nominated for the Best Reggae Album at the55th Annual Grammy Awards.
In 2011, Paul released his firstriddim called "Blaze Fia Riddim" under Dutty Rock Productions, his own label.[50]
In 2012, Paul was asked to team up withCongorock and Stereo Massive to feature vocals on their song "Bless Di Nation".
During 2013, Paul worked on his sixth studio albumFull Frequency, which was released on 18 February 2014.[51] The first single on the album, "Other Side of Love", was released to iTunes on 10 June 2013.[52][53] The second single, "Entertainment 2.0", which features2 Chainz andJuicy J, was released on 25 June 2013.[54] Paul released the official remix to the song on 3 September 2013 with an additional feature fromNicki Minaj.[55] "Turn It Up" was released as a single in the UK on 20 October 2013. It was to be released in Germany on 22 November 2013. "Want Dem All" was released as a single in the U.S. on 5 November 2013. The album features guest appearances fromDamian Marley,Iggy Azalea,Brick & Lace,Konshens, Nicki Minaj, 2 Chainz, and Juicy J. Also in 2013, Paul was featured on the single "What About Us" by British girl groupThe Saturdays. The single went straight to the top of theOfficial UK Charts with over 100,000 sales in its first week, becoming the fastest selling single of the year at the time of release.
In January 2014, Paul was the main international artist at Fiestas Palmares 2014 in Costa Rica.[56] Also in 2014, Paul was featured on the official English-language version of long-running Latin American chart-topper "Bailando" byEnrique Iglesias featuringGente de Zona andDescemer Bueno. The video for the English version was shot concurrently with the video for the Spanish version inSanto Domingo in theDominican Republic. The English version reached top 10 status in the United States and topping the charts of several other countries.
Paul appeared on the EPApocalypse Soon by electronic music groupMajor Lazer, on the track "Come On to Me", which was released as the second single from the album, after "Aerosol Can", a collaboration withPharrell Williams.[57] He also collaborated with Nigerian singerTimaya on a remix of his song "Bum Bum". An accompanying video, directed by Shutah Films, was released online on 11 April.[58] On 6 July 2015, Paul released the music video for his song "Take It Low" on the albumFull Frequency.
Paul had already become an independent artist after parting ways with Atlantic Records in September 2014.[59][60] Under new management of Jules Dougall of Dougall Group and Steve "Urchin" Wilson, Paul enjoyed a commercial resurgence in his career throughout 2016 after being featured on Australian singerSia's remix version of her song "Cheap Thrills", it topped theBillboard Hot 100, making it Paul's first number-one hit on the chart since 2006. The song was also a global success, reaching number one in more than 15 other countries. It reportedly ended up becoming the mostShazamed song of 2016.[61]
Following this resurgence, Paul signed a new record deal withIsland Records in July 2016.[62]
In October 2016, British electronic groupClean Bandit released the song "Rockabye", which features vocals from Paul andAnne-Marie.[63] It peaked at number 9 on theBillboard Hot 100 in the United States, spent nine consecutive weeks at number 1 on theUK Singles Chart, and gained the covetedChristmas number 1.[64] The song was a massive global hit in 2017, reaching number 1 in 18 other countries.
In November 2016, Paul citedToots and the Maytals as inspiration when it comes to his own personal career longevity by saying, "I've seen some great people in my industry, you know, people likeToots... He's up there in years and he's doing it."[65]
On 18 November 2016, he released a new single "No Lie" (featuringDua Lipa), which served as the lead single from his EPMad Love the Prequel, which would be released in 2018, making it his first project release with Island Records.[66] The song would eventually become a global phenomenon over the following six years after its release, it became a top-ten hit in 10 different countries and would end up becoming his most streamed song across streaming platforms, the music video, directed byTim Nackashi, also surpassed 1 billion views onYouTube in April 2022, making it his most popular music video.[67]
One of the few other singles off the EP, "Mad Love", a collaboration withDavid Guetta, which features singerBecky G, would also make a global impact on the charts, peaking within the top 50 in multiple continents.
In 2018, Paul featured in a bilingual remix ofCNCO's song "Hey DJ", alongside American singer-songwriterMeghan Trainor, which was released on November 9, 2018, bySony Music Latin.[68][69]
In March 2019, Paul collaborated with Colombian singerJ Balvin on abilingual song called "Contra La Pared",[70] the song peaked within the top 15 of theBillboardHot Latin Songs chart, making it his seventh entry on the chart. It was also a major hit in Spain, peaking in the top 10 on the nation's chart and was a top 30 hit in both Colombia and Argentina.
Paul had suggested that Jamaican musicians making use of "hardcorepatois", a mixture of English with several languages spoken in Jamaica, create alanguage barrier that prevents them from becoming successful in the United States and the United Kingdom.[71]
It was announced that he would receive theOrder of Distinction (OD) from the Jamaican government on 21 October 2019, "for contribution to the global popularity and promotion ofreggae music".[72]
In August 2019, Paul was nominated alongsideDrake,DJ Snake, andSnow for the Favorite Crossover Artist category at the2019 Latin American Music Awards.[73]
In March 2021, Paul released his seventh studio album calledLive n Livin under his own label Dutty Rock Productions.[74]
Paul collaborated with fellow Jamaican artistsSpice andShaggy for a dancehall single called "Go Down Deh". They performed the song live onGood Morning America,Jimmy Kimmel Live!, andThe Wendy Williams Show. The song was massively well-received worldwide on the internet and was named the "dancehall track of the year" for 2021 byNPR.[75]
In May 2022, Paul released his eighth studio albumScorcha through Island Records.
In September 2022, Paul appeared in season 22 ofThe Voice asGwen Stefani's coach advisor.[76]
In April 2023, Paul collaborated on another bilingual song called "Niña Bonita" with Colombian singerFeid, the single peaked within the top 50 of theHot Latin Songs making it his ninth entry on the chart, it has also become a top-10 hit in bothColombia andEcuador and a top-20 hit inPeru,Spain andChile.
In October 2023, Paul received a nomination for Crossover Artist of the Year at the2023Billboard Latin Music Awards.[77]
In 2011, Paul established his own record label, Dutty Rock Productions, along with his production team.[78] In 2017, Paul signed Jamaican artist Chi Ching Ching to the label, making it the label's first signing.[79] In 2022, in promotion of his eighth studio albumScorcha, he released his own brand ofJamaican patties called the "Scorcha Patty" along with itshot sauce in partnership with a United Kingdom-based Jamaican restaurant called Port Royal, which was made available for a limited time.[80]
In 2016, Paul donated $1 millionJMD towardBustamante Hospital for Children.[81] During theCOVID-19 pandemic, Paul founded the "Sean Paul Foundation" in 2020, aiding less-fortunate communities in Jamaica with donations of groceries to poor families and distribution oftablet computers to primary schools for students.[82] In November 2025, Paul partnered withFood For The Poor Jamaica and pledged to match $50,000USD in donations towards emergency relief for communities affected byHurricane Melissa in Jamaica.[83][84] In December 2025, Paul co-headlined abenefit concert to fundraise money for Hurricane Melissa relief efforts.[85]
Paul has spoken out aboutclimate change. In 2015, he attended theUnited Nations Climate Change conference, expressing concerns over pollution, thecoastal erosions of beaches in Jamaica and has said that athletes in the country are having to "run in smog".[86][87] He has advocated for waste reduction, solar power and the use ofelectric cars. He collaborated withPaul McCartney,Natasha Bedingfield,Bon Jovi,Colbie Caillat, and various other artists on a single called "Love Song to the Earth" to spread awareness about climate change.[88] In 2018, Paul was named an ambassador for climate change in theCaribbean.[89] In 2022, Paul stated in his efforts to help combat climate change; "I have made the move to make my whole house solar powered. From the water to all the lights, and it runs my studio as well".[90]
As a teenager he dated Nicole Wynter, who died from a brain tumour at age 17.[91] She is mentioned in the singer's song "Never Gonna Be The Same Again" and a photo of her was shown in the music video.[92]
In 2012, Paul married Jamaican television host Jodi Stewart.[93] In August 2016, it was announced that the couple was expecting their first child.[94] On 26 February 2017, Paul announced the birth of their son.[95] Their second child was born on 20 August 2019.[72]
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Belly | Himself | Uncredited |
Television
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Late Night with Conan O'Brien | Musical guest |
| Saturday Night Live | Musical guest | |
| Players | Himself, musical guest | |
| 2003, 2005 | Later... With Jools Holland | Himself, musical guest |
| 2003, 2006, 2013 | The Tonight Show with Jay Leno | Musical guest |
| 2003, 2005 | Showtime at the Apollo | Himself, musical guest |
| 2004 | Rove | Himself, musical guest |
| Good Morning Australia | Himself, musical guest | |
| 2005 | Punk'd | Himself |
| TV total | Himself, musical guest | |
| 2005, 2006 | Last Call with Carson Daly | Himself, musical guest |
| 2005, 2020–2022 | Jimmy Kimmel Live! | Musical guest |
| 2006 | Live with Kelly and Mark | Himself, musical guest |
| Popworld | Himself, musical guest | |
| 2006, 2019 | Wild 'n Out | Himself, musical guest |
| 2009 | So You Think You Can Dance | Musical guest |
| The Mo'Nique Show | Himself, musical guest | |
| Lopez Tonight | Himself, musical guest | |
| 2009, 2011, 2021 | The Wendy Williams Show | Himself, musical guest |
| 2011 | Never Mind the Buzzcocks | Himself |
| 2012 | Big Morning Buzz Live | Himself, musical guest |
| 2018, 2021 | Good Morning America | Musical guest |
| 2020 | Access Hollywood | Himself |
| 2022 | Tamron Hall | Himself, musical guest |
| The Voice | Himself, coach advisor | |
| Loose Women | Himself, musical guest | |
| The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan | Himself, musical guest |
Documentary
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Music for Mandela | Himself |
| 2022 | African Redemption: The Life and Legacy of Marcus Garvey | Himself |
| 2023 | Bad Like Brooklyn Dancehall | Himself |
Video games
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Def Jam: Fight for NY | Himself | Voice and likeness |
| 2006 | Def Jam Fight for NY: The Takeover | Himself | Voice and likeness |
| 2007 | Def Jam: Icon | Himself | Voice and likeness |
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Himself | Best New Artist | Nominated | [96] |
| "Get Busy" | Best Male Rap Solo Performance | |||
| Dutty Rock | Best Reggae Album | Won | ||
| 2006 | The Trinity | Nominated | ||
| 2010 | Imperial Blaze | |||
| 2012 | Tomahawk Technique | |||
| 2015 | Full Frequency | |||
| 2017 | "Cheap Thrills"(withSia) | Best Pop Duo/Group Performance | ||
| 2022 | Live n Livin | Best Reggae Album | ||
| 2023 | Scorcha |
| Year | Organisation | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | American Music Awards | Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Male Artist | Nominated |
| Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album (Dutty Rock) | |||
| BET Awards | Best New Artist | ||
| MTV Video Music Awards | Best Dance Video ("Get Busy") | ||
| Best New Artist in a Video ("Get Busy") | |||
| MuchMusic Video Awards | Best International Video ("Gimme the Light") | Won | |
| MTV Europe Music Awards | Best New Act | ||
| Source Awards | Dancehall Reggae Album of the Year (Dutty Rock) | ||
| 2004 | International Reggae and World Music Awards | Entertainer of the Year | |
| MTV Video Music Awards | Best Choreography in a Video ("Like Glue") | Nominated | |
| 2005 | MOBO Awards | Best Reggae Act | |
| International Reggae and World Music Awards | Entertainer of the Year(shared withWyclef Jean,Malachi Smith, andBeenie Man) | Won | |
| ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards | Top Reggae Artist of the Year | ||
| 2006 | American Music Awards[97] | Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist | |
| MOBO Awards | Best Reggae Act | ||
| MTV Video Music Awards | Best Dance Video ("Temperature") | Nominated | |
| Best Choreography in a Video ("Temperature") | |||
| MTV Video Music Awards Japan | Best Reggae Video ("We Be Burnin'") | ||
| MuchMusic Video Awards | Best International Artist Video ("Temperature") | ||
| World Music Awards | World's Best Selling Rap/Hip-Hop Artist | ||
| Billboard Music Awards | Male Artist of the Year | ||
| Hot 100 Single of the Year ("Temperature") | |||
| Pop 100 Single of the Year ("Temperature") | |||
| Rap Artist of the Year | |||
| MTV Europe Music Awards | Best Male | ||
| Best Hip-Hop | |||
| 2007 | NRJ Music Awards | International Male Artist of the Year | |
| Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards | Favorite Male Singer | ||
| MTV Video Music Awards Japan | Best Reggae Video ("Temperature") | ||
| Soul Train Music Awards | Best Dance Cut ("(When You Gonna) Give It Up to Me") | ||
| ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards | Reggae Artist of the Year | Won | |
| MTV Romania Music Awards | Best International Artist | ||
| 2009 | MOBO Awards | Best Reggae Act | |
| Soul Train Music Awards | Best Reggae Artist | ||
| 2010 | MTV Video Music Awards Japan[98] | Best Reggae Video ("So Fine") | Nominated |
| 2012 | NRJ Music Awards | Best International Male Artist of the Year | |
| MTV Europe Music Awards | Best World Stage Performance | ||
| Soul Train Music Awards | Best Caribbean Performance | Won | |
| MTV Video Music Awards Japan[99] | Best Reggae Video ("She Doesn't Mind") | ||
| MOBO Awards | Best Reggae Act | ||
| 2013 | Youth View Awards | Favorite Local International Artiste of the Year | |
| Star Awards | Album of the Year (Tomahawk Technique) | ||
| MOBO Awards[100] | Best Reggae Act | ||
| 2017 | Brit Awards | British Single of the Year ("Rockabye") (withClean Bandit andAnne-Marie) | Nominated |
| British Video of the Year ("Hair") (withLittle Mix) | |||
| British Video of the Year ("Rockabye") (with Clean Bandit and Anne-Marie) | |||
| MTV Europe Music Awards | Best Song ("Rockabye") (with Clean Bandit and Anne-Marie) | ||
| 2019 | Berlin Music Video Awards | Best VFX ('Boasty') | |
| 2021 | MOBO Awards | Best Reggae Act[101] | |
| 2022 | Best Reggae Act[102] |
Some artists cannot be classified by one specific genre, and Sean Paul is one of them. The Grammy Award-winning Jamaican has the vocals of a reggae artist, but combines his voice with different beats – hip-hop, R&B, and so on – to create music that has brought him worldwide success.
… rapper Sean Paul in 1973 (age 47)
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