Reggaeton ambassador Sean Paul has been as ubiquitous as oxygen for much of the ’00s, and he seems maniacally determined to maintain his pop dominance. Paul said in ‘07 that his next disc would focus on youth violence in Jamaica, but there’s little sign of that on the party-hearty “Imperial Blaze”, which is full of snazzy electro beats and KY-slick come-ons. One of hip-hop’s instantly recognizable cartoons, Paul has gotten a surprising amount of mileage out of a voice so monotone he makes Shaggy sound like Pavarotti. But he makes hits, and “Press It Up” is the new one, just like the last one.

by Mark Emge

The m.o. behind the career of international dancehall superstar Sean Paul has been toasting to the good times (”Get Busy”, “We Be Burnin’”, et. al.), but then he had an epiphany. Paul, Shaggy, and others recently announced a benefit concert to raise funds for new equipment for the Bustamante Hospital for Children. And Sean told MTV that from now on he wants to focus less on party songs, more on the rampant youth violence in Jamaica, which might explain the two-year delay of his new album. Old habits are hard to break, however, hence “So Fine”.

by Mark Emge

The m.o. behind the career of international dancehall superstar Sean Paul has been toasting to the good times (”Get Busy”, “We Be Burnin’”, et. al.), but then he had an epiphany. Paul, Shaggy and others recently announced a benefit concert to raise funds for new equipment for the Bustamante Hospital for Children. And Sean told MTV that from now on he wants to focus less on party songs, more on the rampant youth violence in Jamaica, which might explain the two-year delay of his new album. Old habits are hard to break, however, hence “So Fine”.

by Mark Emge

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, dancehall superstar Sean Paul spent his early years “comfortably” in Upper Saint Andrew Parish, a few miles north of his birthplace, with his multi-ethnic parents (Portuguese, Chinese, and Carib blood among them). Both his mother, a renowned painter, and father were talented athletes, and Paul played for the national water-polo team until 21 and studied classical flute before he gave up both to pursue his first love, dancehall pop, especially crafting electronic beats. Paul hasn’t released any music since ’05’s “The Trinity”, but in order to whet appetites for his “The Next Thing” in ‘09 comes a reissue of his previous album’s hit, “Ever Blazin’”.

by Mark Emge