Sean Paul Clarifies Statement About Appropriation of Dancehall Music

Sean Paul
Sean Paul (via Facebook)

Sean Paul has taken to YouTube to clarify a statement he made regarding the appropriation of dancehall music by artists like Drake and Justin Bieber. The comments, which he said in an interview with The Guardian, have been criticized by some fans and media outlets.

The Guardian quoted Paul as saying, “It is a sore point when people like Drake or Bieber or other artists come and do dancehall-orientated music but don’t credit where dancehall came from and they don’t necessarily understand it. A lot of people get upset, they get sour. And I know artists back in Jamaica that don’t like Major Lazer because they think they do the same thing that Drake and Kanye did – they take and take and don’t credit.”

However, Paul says The Guardian left out part of his response and that he was only referring to “some people” in Jamaica. He also clarified that he has no problem with artists sampling dancehall songs or collaborating with dancehall acts, as long as the dancehall artists are compensated or given credit.

Paul himself has collaborated with Major Lazer on two songs: “Come to Me” and “One Wine.” His collaboration with Sia, “Cheap Thrills,” topped Billboard’s Hot 100 chart in August.

Watch Paul’s full response below.

Related: Sak Noel Releases Video for ‘Trumpets’ Feat. Sean Paul

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