Sean Paul, as we all know, is one of dancehall’s most successful exports ever. Multi-platinum selling albums, chart-topping singles as detailed in our exclusive interview last year. However, as you may have worked out by the singles (especially second single “She Doesn’t Mind”) or numerous cuts leaked prior to the albums release, hairstyle isn’t the only thing Mr. “Dutty Rock” is experimenting with.
"Got any Sean Paul, mate?" is a request most DJs have become familiar with ever since Sean Paul smashed through the mainstream doors with an aunthentic dancehall brand of floor-fillers such as "Gimme The Light," "Get Busy," and "Like Glue" almost ten years ago. Selling in excess of twelve million albums, numerous top ten’s (including four #1's), inspiring pop/R&B (or "dancehall knock-offs" as I call them) smash-hits, in addition to collaborations with icons including Chris Brown, Rihanna, R. Kelly, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Busta Rhymes and Carlos Santana requiring that unmistakable, nasal-induced Patois, dancehall flavour - few predicted these heights during Summer in 2002. 2012 will see the release of the as-yet-untitled fifth studio album lead by UK top 20 Stargate-produced single “Got 2 Luv U” featuring young starlet Alexis Jordan. Oh, and he has a new haircut.
The much anticipated new release from Chris Brown was always going to be surrounded by controversy. After his well publicised assault on former girlfriend Rihanna, Chris’s fan base has become divided over whether he can ever be forgiven and whether his career can ever recover. It is almost impossible to hear a Chris Brown track now without the accompanying association with domestic violence; the release of a new album from the R&B star for many is still an unpalatable prospect. However, it really has to be said that musically Graffiti is a strong offering from Brown. You can not deny his talent both as a vocalist and songwriter - Chris Brown has a gift for writing interesting melody lines, hooks and possesses a stylistic vocal quality that is uniquely him.