Kingston, Jamaica: – Sean Paul has spent two decades proving that dancehall isn’t confined by borders, but rather a rhythm that moves the world. With a career that has seen him linking up with heavyweights like Beyoncé and Dua Lipa, the Grammy-winning hitmaker continues to push the boundaries, this time collaborating with South African pop sensation Tyla for the remix of her hit single, Push 2 Start.
For Sean Paul, this collaboration was a no-brainer. “I think Tyla’s an awesome artiste. She’s authentic, she’s singing in her own accent, and you can see her vibe on Instagram. She’s just a dope artist,” he commented. “So, when they asked me to do the remix, I was definitely happy.”
The Dancehall and Afrobeats Connection
The Push 2 Start remix marks yet another moment where dancehall and Afrobeats seamlessly fuse, a trend that has been dominating global charts in recent years. But as Sean Paul explains, this blending of sounds isn’t a new phenomenon—it’s a natural evolution of dancehall’s undisputable influence. As Afrobeats continues to dominate international airwaves, its deep ties to dancehall are impossible to miss. Sean Paul acknowledges this, explaining how dancehall’s rhythmic DNA has helped shape Afrobeats and other genres such as reggaeton. “You have to salute the root. Dancehall evolved from reggae, and it helped to influence other genres like reggaeton and Afrobeats.”
Observing this cross-pollination unfold is both a moment of pride and an affirmation of dancehall’s power for the Gimme the Light artiste. “It’s a definite pleasure to see that kind of thing happening and to know that our versatility as artistes and our genre itself has been a dominant force within pop culture. Dancehall has been permeating the airwaves internationally for decades, and it’s still here.”
While Afrobeats continues to surge, Sean Paul notes a specific subgenre that speaks more directly to dancehall’s core energy: Amapiano. “Tyla identifies herself as an Amapiano artiste, that’s a version of Afrobeats that, to me, is way more clubby,” he explained. “The first time I heard it, I felt that I could deejay on it easily. It’s more infused with what dancehall is. When I heard Afrobeats, it’s dope, but Amapiano has more of that raw vibe that we carry in dancehall.”
A Legacy of Versatility
Sean Paul’s approach to music has always been rooted in versatility, a quality he sees as essential to being a true dancehall artiste. “To be a dancehall artiste, you have to be versatile; you have to be able to flow on any riddim with different topics,” he said. He credits legends like Papa San, Lt. Stitchie, Shabba Ranks, and Super Cat for setting the standard.
“These artists had different types of songs that could fit many different beats. If you remember Shabba Ranks with Johnny Gill or Housecall with Maxi Priest – those tracks had an R&B/hip-hop flavour. Same with Super Cat and Dolly My Baby. That was hip-hop, but they were doing the dancehall vibes. Then Super Cat went on to do a track with Sugar Ray, which is a pop-rock group,” Sean Paul shared.
The ability to adapt and merge sounds has become a cultural cornerstone, Sean Paul emphasized, noting that, “As Jamaicans, we are a versatile people; it’s our greatness. Dancehall was always the underdog, even when reggae lovers were calling it slackness. We had to prove ourselves every time, with versatility.”
Sean Paul’s signature delivery on the Push 2 Start Remix transforms the track into a dancefloor-ready anthem, further showcasing his versatility. His verses ride the beat with ease, a testament to his ability to bridge cultures and genres without losing the essence of dancehall.
“I always felt that Tyla and I could do a great song together, and we put it out into the universe, as they say. Those who seek shall find,” he said with a grin. “Jah live. Mad people ting.”
As the Push 2 Start Remix continues to gain traction worldwide, it’s yet another example of how Sean Paul remains at the forefront of global music trends, not by following them but by setting them. And with dancehall’s influence only growing stronger, one thing is clear: the world is still moving to Sean Paul’s rhythm.
For further information contact Carlette DeLeon at 876-383-9768 or media@headlinejamaica.com.
