Sean Paul: ‘Live N Livin’ Album Review 

Grammy Award-winning Dancehall deejay Sean Paul is back with an exciting excursion on his latest album, Live N Livin. Featuring a meld of Afrobeat, trap-tinged and classic Dancehall beats, the collab heavy suite is a rich illustration of “collaboration over confrontation”, Sean’s much-touted call for unity in the genre. The entire project feels like it was made with not only unity, but a social backdrop in mind — clubs, dance floors, cruising along to a driving bass.

Following up on his 2018 EP, Mad Love the Prequel, and the 2014 LP, Full Frequency, Sean Paul scores with his single solo track and 15 assists that prove he’s the undisputed Billboard king.

A bevy of skillful beatmakers such as Money Matters Entertainment, East Link Records and Sean’s own production imprint Dutty Rock match each masterful pulse with the 22 enviable guest appearances. Ironically, the two beefing youngbloods Skillibeng and Intence, as well as seasoned hitmakers Buju Banton and Busy Signal showcase the full gamut of the genre, from raunchy to reflective.

The deejay’s 7th album starts off strong with a remix of 2019’s Buss A Bubble on the Firestick Riddim and Boom featuring Busy Signal, an intricate Afro-Dancehall cut with a nod to the heavy Jada Kingdom.

Space Ship feat. Suku Ward and Real Steel feat. Intence follow suit, the two gyallis anthems spewing synth over bouncing basslines.

Dutty Rock signee Chi Ching Ching makes his second appearance on the slick Chimney Records track The Plug — “tell dem fi ‘watch di wire’, an’ is like dem neva see di plug” — while Dem Nuh Ready Yet, a Leftside assist released last year, and Crazy featuring Buju Banton serve more synth while shouting out the independent ladies.

Standout track Schedule featuring Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley is a fun and funky throwback vibe with ad-libs by Chi Ching Ching and SP chanting on the chorus, “Roll your blunts up get your smoke on/ Throw your cups up/ Schedule, so we run di program girl”.  “Schedule is a word weh we use backstage when anytime mi waan my Hennessy,” Paul explained to a virtual listening party in February.

Money Bag featuring Govana on a melodic, pop riddim produced by Teetimus Music follows as another standout track on the album.

Live N Livin makes way for more somber material halfway through, keeping his Reggae fans equally as entertained. Songs Like Lion Heart, Protect Me and Danger Zone tackle social ills and resilience, while the Jesse Royal, Mutabaruka and Stonebwoy assisted Guns of Navarone (Remix) fires off at the scant regard for life that besets gun violence.

Sean Paul’s latest album is another solid effort sure to lift spirits as it climbs the charts. Though lockdown has cramped his typically aggressive touring schedule, his “forget the clash, let’s get the cash” campaign has stirred significant buzz befitting his 25-year tenure.

Contemporary and non-confrontational, it covers much ground as it samples the many styles that have come to define Dancehall at its core.

Fans can already look forward to Scorcha, the Island Records follow-up slated to debut in May with all the female contributions we didn’t get this time around: Sia, Jada Kingdom, Tove Lo and Gwen Stefani have already been confirmed for the project.