Sean Paul On ‘Dutty Rock’ At 20

Twenty years ago, Sean Paul’s sophomore album Dutty Rock brought Dancehall music to the forefront of global, mainstream music. Today, the 49-year-old is still at the “top of the game,” and his contributions to the genre continue to influence musicians across the globe. 

On Wednesday (November 16), he commemorated the 20th anniversary of Dutty Rock at Webster Hall in New York City in a celebration hosted in collaboration with New York radio station Hot 97, which Paul thanked for supporting his career. 

“Hot 97 is a big station that endorsed me back in the day,” Sean Paul told DancehallMag in an interview in New York. “Everybody’s getting involved now saying they love the new work, and that the past 20 years, they’ve been proud of me. To see the crowd’s reaction and the vibes, and to be here with the full band, it’s been awesome.”

The audience at the sold-out Webster Hall was first greeted by DJ Max Glazer of Federation Sounds and CopperShaun, Sean Paul’s official DJ and a producer at his Dutty Rock Productions label. Soon after, Hot 97 DJs Bobby Konders and Jabba entered the stage and stirred the crowd even more. 

“I represent the West Indies, and this is a West Indian show,” Jabba said to the audience, while “Massive B” mixed a set of classic reggae tracks. Led by Jabba, waving Jamaican, Guyanese, Trinidadian and Haitian flags, the audience sang Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds acapella in a moment of appreciation for Reggae music. 

 A newer addition to the Dutty Rock Production team, singer Ras Ajai, also hit the stage for his first-ever New York performance. 

The crowd erupted when Sean Paul finally took to the stage. Joined by dancers, he opened with a medley of some of his popular songs, including Cheap Thrills, Give It Up to Me, and No Lie. 

After his 2017 single Body, featuring the Migos rap group, Paul took a moment to salute the late Atlanta rapper Takeoff, who was tragically killed in Houston, Texas earlier this month.

He also paid respects to the late New York rapper DMX, who he collaborated with in 1998’s Top Shotter with Mr. Vegas from the Belly movie soundtrack. 

After a quick smoke break, Sean Paul performed Gimme the Light, and I’m Still in Love With You with Sasha. To the audience’s surprise, he was joined on stage by choreographer Tanisha Scott, who was a dancer in the original I’m Still In Love With You music video, released in 2003. 

With performances of Like Glue, Boasty, Punkie, Deport Them, and more, Paul’s catalog provided for a captivating show.

The audience’s high energy and engagement showed that Dutty Rock continues to stand the test of time.  “Twenty years flew by, and I’m just thankful that songs I’ve been able to last that long,” Sean Paul told DancehallMag.

Released in November 2002, the Grammy-winning Dutty Rock album includes five Billboard Hot 100 singles, selling over six million copies worldwide within a year of its release. As of July 2021, the album is BRIT Certified triple platinum in the UK, and will be certified triple platinum in the US next month for three million copies sold in the country.

While Dutty Rock appeals to international markets, the music is timeless and true to its roots. Lovers of classic Dancehall music might recognize the influence of artists like Super Cat and appreciate SP’s take on the Steven “Lenky” Marsden-produced Diwali Riddim, which has been used on several Dancehall hits including T.O.K’s Galang Gal, Wayne Wonder’s No Letting Go, and Sean Paul’s first number-one single, Get Busy.

Reflecting on his career and his role in introducing Dancehall music to a larger, global audience, Sean Paul said, “The steps that Super Cat and Shabba Ranks took, and all those greats, just open up doorways. Even though I was able to blow down the doors completely, if they hadn’t cracked the surface and got people ready, and I wasn’t prepared, then it wouldn’t have happened this way.” 

With his latest albums, Scorcha and Live N Livin, both Grammy-nominated for Best Reggae Album, SP continues to use his platform to uplift Dancehall.  “I’m not saying I’m the best DJ on the planet,” the Temperature singer said. “But I do say that the position I’ve been given is a blessing and I don’t take it lightly.”

This gratitude for his success was evident during the Webster Hall show. At the end of the concert, Paul presented producer Lion Face, friend and DJ Max Glazer, and the Dutty Rock album A&R Project Director, Murray Elias, with their own Dutty Rock plaques.

SP said that he will never forget where he came from and makes it a point to celebrate those who came before him.

“I think that you know to pay attention to your own history is something that’s very important but in general there’s, there’s steps that people took before me that helped me to be where I am today,” he said. “The Bob Marleys, the Supercats, the Shabba ranks – these people have broke down doors before me and helped to give the international community a likkle taste of what dancehall is until someone like me was ready.” 

Since the success of Dutty Rock, Sean Paul has released six studio albums and created his own record label, Dutty Rock Productions. The company develops in-house productions and represents up-and-coming Dancehall artists like Chi Ching Ching. 

Paul has faith in the future of Dancehall, mentioning Skeng and Skillibeng as young artists that he believes to be on the right track to developing successful careers.

“The steps that Skeng and Skillibeng are taking right now are really familiar to me,” he said. “I’m seeing them make moves and I’m like, ‘Yeah, that’s good, bro.’ I want to see people who have extremely talented skills – like a Busy Signal or like a Demarco – I want to see them shine, because I just think that they deserve the opportunity.”

Paul left this advice for the next generation of Dancehall artists that are following his footsteps: “Do what you’re doing. Do it from your heart. Don’t pay attention to the money. As long as you do it from the heart, you will make that. And show some growth, maybe the content of your lyrics could expand.”

As the Dutty Rock anniversary celebration continues, so does Sean Paul’s legacy.

This month, he will perform during the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, making him the first Dancehall artist to ever do so. Sean Paul also said he is looking forward to releasing music with Charly Black, Future Fambo, Beres Hammond, and more in the next few months. 

In a public interview with DJ Max Glazer at the Brooklyn Public Library on Friday, Sean Paul shared what he learned from his success in 20 years of Dutty Rock. 

“What it has taught me, is that Jamaicans and Caribbean people should believe in their culture,” he said. “We should be proud of our music and our culture. And I’m pretty sure there’s a lot more to come from people from the Caribbean and from Jamaica that’s gonna rock the world too.”