Sean Paul in action for Jamaica at the Jamaica Invitational International Water Polo Tournament at the Stadium Pools in 2004. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff PhotographerContributed
Sean Paul Henriques (born January 8, 1975 in Kingston, Jamaica), spent his early years "comfortably" in upper St. Andrew. Born to a Jewish Portuguese-Jamaican father and a Chinese-Jamaican mother, Sean Paul grew up known to his friends as the "copper-colour Chiney bwoy", excelling in sports in his teen years. In line with his Sephardi heritage he was a pupil at the island's Hillel Academy, a non-religious school funded by the local Jewish community.
Sean played water polo for the Jamaica National team as well as representing his country in swimming in the 1989 and 1991 CARIFTA Games. However, his love for the arts was fostered at an earlier age by his mother, a wellnoted Jamaican painter. It wasn't until 1993 that the then aspiring dancehall DJ from St. Andrew got his introduction to the music business through musicians Carrot Jarret, Cat Coore and Bunny Rugs from Third World, as well as producers, Rupert Bent and Paul Castick.
Musical Influences
With a style and voice reminiscent of the great Super Cat, the DJ also credits Major Worries, Shabba Ranks, Lt. Stitchie and Papa San as heavy musical influences. He had a string of hits, such as Infiltrate and Hackle Mi for producer Jeremy Harding , Nah get no Bly (One More Try) for producer Donavon Germain, Deport Them and Excite Me for producer Tony Kelly and Hot Gal Today with Mr. Vegas on producers Steely and Clevie's Streetsweeper riddim. Sean also appears on the cut, Here Comes the Boom with Mr. Vegas and rap artiste, DMX, on the soundtrack to video director Hype Williams' debut film Belly on Def Jam Records.
In March 2000, he released his first album, Stage One, on VP Records, which included many of his previous hit singles and compilation cuts, plus several new tracks. He played the Summer Jam 2000 in New York City, where he was held in high acclaim. Sean Paul's fan base grew tremendously, with fans from all over the world. Also in 2000, Sean Paul appeared on the Toronto-based Baby Blue Soundcrew album, Private Party Collectors Edition. He appeared on its first single, Money Jane, which also featured Kardinal Offishall, and Jully Black.
In 2002, he announced the release of his second album, Dutty Rock. Pushed by the success of the singles Gimme The Light and the Billboard Hot 100 topper, Get Busy, the album was a worldwide success, eventually selling over six million copies. Simultaneously, Sean Paul was heard on Beyoncés single Baby Boy and Blu Cantrell's Breathe, both chart hits in 2003, helping to push his reputation further still in the United States.
biggest hits
He then appeared on Punk'd, 106 & Park, Sean Paul Respect, Making The Video (Get Busy, Gimme The Light, Like Glue, We Be Burnin' and Temperature) and his music videos have been broadcast on MTV and BET. Paul's biggest hits include Get Busy, Gimme The Light, Baby Boy, Temperature, and Give It Up To Me (feat. Keyshia Cole).
On September 27, 2005, Henriques released his third album, called The Trinity.
Sean Paul spent part of 2006 opening for Mariah Carey's Adventures of Mimi Tour; his stage patter during these shows was almost exclusively directed towards "all the sexy young ladies in the house." The Trinity was a solid success, selling about 3.8 million copies worldwide.
Sean Paul started work on his fourth album in September 2006 and currently features on the single Break it Off (High Altitude Riddim) with Rihanna, on her A Girl Like Me album. He intends to include more 'politically minded' songs in his upcoming album, to be released in the spring of 2007.
