The Bite Magazine - Autumn/Winter 2021 - Issue 30

bitenewmusic Sean Paul - Dynamite ft Sia Images courtesy of Destine Media via Fernando Hevia M ulti-award-winning and Billboard chart -topping artist Sean Paul recently released his new visual for the latest indisputable pop banger ‘Dynamite’ featuring Sia. This is the second time he has collaborated with the singer-song- writer, the first being ‘Cheap Thrills’ on which the reggae artist featured on her track. The music video directed by Storm Saulter matches the energetic single with lively choreography and sci-fi setting. The fun and futuristic video gives viewers a peek into the new tech-fuelled and chrome-filled world of Kingston, Jamaica in the future. In the video, we see dancers decked out in elaborate colourful costumes as they are swayed by the infectious rhythm of ‘Dynamite’ while competing in an epic dance battle. Sean Paul has always been unconventional and genre-bending so his latest video fits in well with his musical styles. “The concept of the video is futuristic, reflecting the sound of the song as well as how I see the longevity of my career,” Sean Paul explained. “We also showcased a futuristic view of Jamaica with the style of dressing, flying cars, and big buildings. Big up to Storm Saulter who executed the vision and his work definitely highlights the great talent we have here in Jamaica.” Throughout his career, Sean Paul has carved a home for himself while championing dancehall, as being an artist with a unique sound, look and passion. His ability to show the power and unity in music through various collaborations across many genres has catapulted his career over the years on various charts, awards, and with an enormous fanbase. Likewise, he has collaborated with some of his fellow artists in reggae and dancehall, high- lighting that together we can also make great music. Earlier this year, Sean Paul released Live N Livin’, a collabora- tive celebration of his Jamaican heritage and dancehall roots in which he trades the mic with Buju Banton and Mavado. Dance- hall can be stereotyped as a competitive, macho space where sound clashes are king, but Live N Livin’ is meant to emphasise what’s possible when unity is the goal. “We don’t need to divide our fans to attain the rotations on the airwaves or streams,” he said. “I hold this album very dear to my heart because it shows the effort of collaboration over confrontation.” Furthermore, the multi-talented international artist received news that he has been nominated Best Reggae Album at the 64th annual GRAMMY Awards set to take place on 31 January 2022. With the vision and undertone of ‘collaboration over confron- tation’ Sean Paul’s Live N Livin’ is the 7th studio album and the first to be released on his Dutty Rock Productions label. Live N Livin’ is the artist’s vision to highlight the unity and success of the music from his home island of Jamaica. As well as his 9th GRAMMY nomination and 6th nomination for Best Reggae Album, Sean Paul received a 2021 UK MOBO nomination for Best Reggae Act. “This GRAMMY nomination is a special one. Live N Livin’ is a very special project to me, it’s a return to hardcore dancehall,” he said. “Everyone I worked with from my engineers to the producers, to the artists, even the person who did the artwork is Jamaican and one artist from Ghana. It was really a collabo- rative effort and I’m proud of the recognition we all received. With this album, I wanted to show my genre that we need to do more collaborative work and less competition amongst ourselves.” https://www.allseanpaul.com