Jamaican recording artist Sean Paul currently ranks at the top of high Caribbean earners on Spotify, the most popular music streaming service in the world. Spotify controlled some 31 percent of the global streaming market as of January 2022. Comparatively, Apple Music comes in second with just 15 percent of the market, and Amazon Music has 13 percent, according to MIDiA, a research firm. According to CertifiedStreams.com, which tracks streaming numbers of Caribbean music artists, the Grammy Award-winning Sean Paul earned more than any other Caribbean artist in 2022 with a total of US$931,010. The ranking was based on estimated data points from BMAT, one of the fastest-growing data providers of music metrics in the industry.
Sean Paul Ryan Francis Henriques was born in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1973. A rapper and singer and one of the most prolific artists in the dancehall genre, nearly all of his albums have received nominations for the Best Reggae Album Grammy Award, and the singles “Get Busy” and “Temperature” hit the Hot 100 Billboard chart in the United States. His album “Dutty Rock” won the Best Reggae Album Grammy and he has collaborated with many other artists to achieve chart-topping hits, including “Baby Boy” with Beyonce.
He released his debut album “Stage One” on the VP Records label in 2000, and his second album, the award-winning “Dutty Rock” was released in 2002 in partnership with Atlantic Records. The hit singles from that album all received significant airplay and exposure on MTV and BET. “Gimme the Light” reached Number 7 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and “Get Busy” topped the chart as Paul’s first Number 1 hit song. This was also the first dancehall song to reach the top of the chart. “Dutty Rock” was certified double-platinum by the RIAA and has sold more than six million copies worldwide. “Get Busy” received a nomination for Best Rap Song at the 2004 Grammys. The album popularized dancehall music around the world in the 2000s and contributed to the development of the dancehall pop genre.
Following Sean Paul, the list of top earners on Spotify includes, in US dollars and in order, Bob Marley 511,340, Shaggy 496,080, OMI 217,510, Haddaway 175,540, Damian Marley 156,400, Beenie Man 152,640, Shenseea 145,010, Spice 114,800, Inner Circle 110,660, Popcaan 103,030, Jimmy Cliff 99,220, Chronixx 80,140, Koffee 76,320, Skillibeng 68,690, and Vybz Kartel 64,800.
From “Heads High” (1998) to the newest “Party Tun Up” (2013), Mr. Vegas has assembled an unshakable string of international classic reggae and dancehall releases including Billboard hits highlighting his career progression for the last two decades.
Born Clifford Smith in Jamaica’s capital city, Kingston. Mr. Vegas developed a passion for music at an early age. It was customary for aspiring high school age singers to gather during lunch break to test new lyrics and share their talents with classmates. Smith’s passion developed during these sessions when he noted female classmates would regularly attend without demonstrating any interest in lunch. Still, his first recording session was a dead end when the mix he had paid for with money that was supposed to be used for an international visa was never mixed properly and the song went nowhere. Mr. Vegas, however, was destined to go places.
To have a single with an ICONIC Multi-Platinum POP artist is the dream of most Jamaican recording artists. To have two releases with two ICONIC Multi-Platinum POP artists when you are paving the road on your own merits and with your own imprint is usually un-heard of.
Although he got his moniker around the same time for his glitzy style on the football/soccer pitch, Mr. Vegas earned it in the recording studio. His first hit, “Nike Air” (1997), recorded on the Playground Riddim for Jeremy Harding, only came about because Mr. Vegas successfully demanded that doctors removed the wiring in his jaw after a serious injury sustained not long before. Despite nursing the injured jaw, “Nike Air” raced to the top of the charts.
Mr. Vegas follow up smash hit on the Filthy Riddim, “Heads High”, took the world by storm. Led by its undeniable hook over the creeping bass line, “Heads High” reached #1 on the reggae charts in five continents and #69 on the US R&B Chart. The same year, Vegas won a distinguished MOBO (Music Of Black Origin) Award in the UK. MTV put the “Heads High” video in heavy rotation and powerhouse dancehall distributor Greensleeves Records signed on for his debut album the following year. Also called Heads High, the album compiled additional hit songs including “Jacket”, “Sweet Pineapple” and “Everywhere I Go”, to reach #5 on the US Reggae Chart.
Vegas’s sophomore Greensleeves Records release, Damn Right (2001), confirmed him as a leading reggae dancehall artist from Jamaica. Damn Right included the now timeless favorite’s ‘Girls Time’, ‘She’s A Ho’ and the monster collaboration with Sean Paul, ‘Hot Gal Today’, which Vibe Magazine voted one of the best collaborations of all-time and peaked at #66 on the US R&B chart. Damn Right also reached #2 on the US Reggae chart.
Throughout the years, Mr. Vegas has proved adept at catchy hooks, knowing just the right beats that will hit at the right time coupled with signature song writing. ‘Tek Wey Yuhself’, ‘Hot Wuk’ and ‘Nuh Friend From Dem’, from his 2007 album Hot It Up, are a case in point. All were chart toppers in Jamaica and dominated the major American, Japanese and European charts. The soca-infused ‘Tek Wey Yuhself’ on Kirkledove’s Dutchie Pot riddim confirmed Mr. Vegas as one of the most versatile in the business and “Hot Wuk” made it to Billboard’s Hot R&B/ Hip Hop Singles chart on the strength of its wildly popular carnivalesque dancehall vibes.
In 2010 Mr. Vegas was nominated for Soul Train ‘Reggae Artist of the Year’ and performed at the Soulfusion Soul Train Awards in early 2011. He also performed live on the CBS Presenting reggae and dancehall like it’s never been done before, ‘Sweet Jamaica’ is undoubtedly a milestone achievement. “I want to be around in twenty years,” says Vegas, “and ‘Sweet Jamaica’ is the best way I can think of to put my stamp on the future, one in which real foundation reggae and dancehall both play a part, just like real life”.
To celebrate Jamaica’s 50th Anniversary, Mr. Vegas took to the studio to produce an all-star remix, The Voices of Sweet Jamaica with a cast of reggae greats including Shaggy, U-Roy, Barrington Levy, Marcia Griffiths, Mac Dada and more. Proceeds of the recording went to benefit the children of Mustard Seed Communities in Kingston Jamaica, a charitable foundation that Mr. Vegas holds very dear to his heart.
By year-end 2012, Sweet Jamaica and Mr. Vegas made great strides including a MOBO 2012 Award nomination in the UK. Sweet Jamaica was named by Google Music as ‘Top 50 albums of 2012’, endorsed by Complex Magazine in the ‘Top 100 Albums of 2012’ as well as on the ‘Best of 2012’ in the reggae section of iTunes.
Leading the way into 2013 with solid rotations on mainstream radio throughout the US and a remix package penetrating the dance market, it is no doubt that ‘Bruk It Down’ will be this Spring’s crossover dancehall anthem, while Mr. Vegas’ smash hit single ‘Party Tun Up’ is bubbling in the dances. The versatile and accomplished Mr. Vegas added yet another achievement to his portfolio with multiple nominations at the 32nd IRAWMA awards on May 6, 2013.
On that day he copped the title Song of the Year with “Sweet Jamaica” and Video of the Year with “Bruk it Down”. Standing on the Sun with Beyoncé was release on Beyoncé’s Platinum Edition Album in December 2013. In addition to his many collaborations, during his journey as an artiste Mr. Vegas has opened for Deborah Cox, Foxy Brown, and Black Eyed Peas. He has also shared the stage with Brandy, Method Man Redman, T-Pain, Future, Trey Songz, Nicki Minaj, Pitbull and has done production work with industry producer Major Lazer. Mr. Vegas has appeared on all of the industry’s major shows, in Jamaica and abroad, including Guinness Sting, Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest, Reggae Sunsplash, Tobago Jazz Festival, Best of the Best in Miami, Uppsala Reggae Fest, Summerjam Germany, Rototom Sunsplash, Amsterdam Reggae Festival, SXSW and more. Mr. Vegas continues to tour extensively throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean Islands and North and South America.
Singing Gold looks back on a musical work of more than two decades.
Even as a teenager he began writing his own lyrics and composing music in his homeland Jamaica after he
discovered his talent in the church choir @ his birthplace. He experimented with different styles of music, won
talent shows and made his name with sound system parties.
It brought him with creative new ideas of dancehall to Europe/Germany.
In 2010 an explosive collaboration with Symbiz Sound came. Together they started sound experiments in a
grand colour.
The „Soundboy Flee Dubplate“ hammered with its unmistakable sound the birth of the Future Dancehall in the
pit of the night clubs in Germany.
2012 released Singing Gold and Symbiz sound the Single „Warrior“, whose predecessor „Marchin On“ 2011
had already conquered the party floors of the electrical and dancehall scene from the booming speakers their
colourful creative workshop.
Singing gold can burn anything. 2012 he took more artists on board, the creative input came from around the
world and paid off.
„Cold“ from Stunnah and Singing Gold is an instant hit, „Stress Free“ feat. Yah Meek is a party evergreen.
In 2015 Singing Gold team up with the Producer Raphael Fedupfaction where they started experimenting
on new styles like bass music mixed with Dancehall/Reggae and keep on pushing the boundaries.
The project „Warning Shot“ was born.
The Warningshot album is dropped in 2017 on the Boomrush Productions label with songs like „When were
down“, „Trodding on“ and the title track „Warningshot“.
In Germany, Austria and the Netherlands, Singing Gold performs regularly in nightclubs and festivals in order
to bring the audience to a frenzy.
Anyone who has been on a well-attended concert from Singing Gold comes back as a happy person.
With his strong stage presence, social criticism astute lyrics and a distinctive voice it´s a child´s playfor him to
create a unique party atmosphere.
2019 he published „Dangerously“ the real good mood party song, dancehall/ crossover, about the ladies and
the way they move in elegant, beguiling fashion. „Dangerously“ can be played in the commercial radio or in
cool clubs.
For soundsystems it´s a mixing pleasure.
It should bet in your playlist.
Golden fresh & fruity tracks are @ ITunes, Spotify, Amazon & Beatport… to buy.
***We had an exclusive interview with him and his expressions where unique. Below are the reviews:
Q: Can You please tell our readers your real name as well as your stage name?
A:Du-wayne Dixon/ Singing Gold
Q: How old are you?
A: 44
Q: Where are you from and Where were you born?
A: Jamaica
Q: At What age did you start making music?
A: 11
Q: What genre of music do you particularly love? Jazz? Hip-Hop? RnB?
A: Dancehall, Reggae, RnB, Hip Hop
Q: Who is your favourite artist and why?
A: Bob Marley What he Stands for, and the Message in his Music
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: Reading, Writing, Traveling, cooking
Q: Do you play any musical instrument?
A: yes
Q: Where do you get your musical inspiration?
A: Mother and Father
Q: Who is your hero?
A: Bob Marley, Usain Bolt
Q: Do you write your own music?
A: Yes and compose
Q: If you were given a chance, which Artist would you love to perform with?
A: Buju Banton
Q: What would you like our readers to know about you?
A: I am a funny Person, always good for a joke
Feel free to tell our readers more about yourself and your music. Things like your goals in life, and what your current projects are?. And also let them know where they can get your music or where you will be performing soon or regularly……I am a believer an Optimist and Encourager I Hope to use my music to reach and uplift people around the world.
Follow me on social media Singing Gold
Singing Gold looks back on a musical work of more than two decades.