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June 15, 2007

Buju Banton's nephew Sean Kingston is burning up the airwaves

seankingston_bujubanton_jrsexygirlsbeyonce.jpgFor Sean, [the EPIC records joint venture] was almost like a prophecy beginning to be fulfilled. Not only is music his love, it is in his blood. Iconic Reggae artist Buju Banton is his uncle and Jack Ruby, who produced records for Bob Marley and Burning Spear in Jamaica, is his grandfather. Now Kingston says he's looking forward to making music and living out his dream. nephew

After producing an endless array of hit records for the likes of musical heavyweights such as 50 Cent, The Game, Rihanna and Snoop Dogg, production savant J.R. Rotem has turned his attention to one of the most innovative young talents in music, Sean Kingston, the first signing on his Beluga Heights label.

Kingston, a 17 year old native of Jamaica who now lives in Miami brings his very unique triple threat of talent of rapping, reggae chatting and soulful harmonization with the 2007 release of his debut yet to be titled album.
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"As an artist, my whole goal is to make powerful and classic music," Sean divulges. "I want everyone to feel me and understand where I’m from and that's what this album will do. The music is all about an authentic Sean Kingston vibe. JR is a talented dude and a dope producer and he saw that I had something different than any other artist out there. Together we're a powerful force.

In addition to J.R., The Runners, Cool and Dre, DJ Felli Fell, and DJ Khaled will be supplying beats. In just a short time, Kingston has already done what few in his age bracket can accomplish - solidify a following in the streets and get people excited about music again.

He has two certified thunder knockers on his hands with "Colors 2007" and the Jamaican remix. The original version is a lyrical brouhaha with Kingston showing he can hang with the acclaimed guest MCs. Miami Mayor Rick Ross and the multi-platinum west coast superstar, The Game. The reggae remix of Colors is a Caribbean hailstorm featuring the legendary Vybez Cartel and the always profound Kardinal Offishall. Both records maintain the same theme of unity and self-reflection.

"That's the whole campaign," Kingston, whose parents are from Jamaica, elaborated. "The song is about representing every flag that you're loyal to - whether it is Jamaica, the States, your block etc. It's a lifestyle record that can be a street anthem no matter where you are. I couldn't ask for anybody better than The Game and Ross to join me on the track. The Reggae version came up because I knew I had to do one special for Jamaica. The first person I thought of was Vybez Cartel. His verse came out crazy. Then Kardinal Official, that's my homie, he really attacked the track."

Kingston's album is shaping up to be as diverse as the colors are on the different flags he talks about.

The melody of "Stand By Me," also acted a muse for the first official single off the album "Beautiful Girls." It is way more than puppy love when Sean lays his vocals on the record, singing about a shattering break up.

"You're way too beautiful girl," he sings about heartbreak. "Girls will have you suicidal when they say it's over."

"I heard the track 'Stand By Me,' one night in the studio, the radio was on. "I asked J.R., did anybody ever flip that? He made the beat the beat right there on the spot and I wrote the songs in a few minutes. It's hard when you're in love and a girl tells you that it is time to end things. I know everyone can relate to that, so that's why I had to write about it."

"Drummer Boy" finds Kingston sticking mainly to rapping over the trouncing pounce of drums, while "I Can Feel" takes it to the party and incorporates a sample of Phil Collins' timeless "In the Air Tonight."

Perhaps one of the most eye opening track however may the song "Prosecutor," where Kingston vents about what he calls the wrongful imprisonment of his sister and mother. "You're lying and there's no way to prove it," he fumes.

Sean says he was inspired to write the record after he saw his family incarcerated when he was just 14 years old.

"I always had my sister and my brother," he began to explain. "My brother was doing his own thing, he was there but he was running around doing his own thing. When my mother and sister went away, it took a lot out of me. My sister went away for four months and my mom been away for over a year. When she went way, I was like 'nah man, this is too much.' I was only 14. I missed her like crazy but I pulled through and used it as my motivation. "Prosecutor" is a defining song on the album for me - nothing fake about it because it touches on something very personal to me. The dope melody that's on there makes me feel even closer to it."

Kingston wants to make it clear that he is no cookie cutter artist that has the songs laid out for him. He comes up with 100 percent of his lyrics.

"Man, it feels good to get that creative freedom," he says. "Not a lot of artists are put in that position. I don't feel that just because I'm a young dude, somebody should write my songs and say 'ok spit it this way.' I think music is better when it comes from the person, when it comes from your heart. I feel comfortable writing my own music and them letting me do it, is a great situation.

Sean talks about J.R. more like a big brother, rather than an Executive Producer of his album. Couple of years ago, Kingston started randomly hitting music industry contacts on MySpace. Although none of the A&R reps responded, Rotem emailed him back. J.R. almost had no choice, "Sean would hit me up at least three times a day!" J.R. says.

"He just had a real distinct sound," Rotem remembers. "I worked with some of the best and I don't see why Sean can’t grow to be one of them. His potential is limitless."

Rotem invited Sean for a meeting in Los Angeles, coincidentally; the young performer was already in the process of moving to California. Shortly after their initial meeting, Rotem had a flagship artist for his Epic records joint venture, Beluga Heights. For Sean, it was almost like a prophecy beginning to be fulfilled. Not only is music his love, it is in his blood. Iconic Reggae artist Buju Banton is his uncle and Jack Ruby, who produced records for Bob Marley and Burning Spear in Jamaica, is his grandfather. Now Kingston says he's looking forward to making music and living out his dream.

"In the future I want to have my own label and work on the business side," he said. "I went to acting school when I was younger, so I want to get into that. I want to get into every aspect of the business. It took me a little while to develop and build my sound, to find out who the real Sean Kingston was. I didn't know if I wanted to harmonize, or to rap. But I found out that I can do it all."

Posted by yardFlex at June 15, 2007 12:46 PM


Comments

Posted by: Wade Cameron on June 15, 2007 01:28 PM

Mi neva did know seh a Buju Banton nephew dat. Him single wickid still. Much success my yute.


Posted by: Biggest Beenie Fan in The World on June 15, 2007 01:41 PM

Big Up ...that single sell of all over the GLOBE


Posted by: raskronik on June 15, 2007 01:59 PM

blessed my yute..... one more jamaican buss outa the pack......jahmekyan fi life


Posted by: piggy on June 15, 2007 02:03 PM

all di best to yuh youth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Posted by: sasha on June 15, 2007 02:44 PM

i love his song


Posted by: Gary Monsta on June 15, 2007 03:17 PM

Respect Mr Kingston keep up the good work.


Posted by: Joi on June 15, 2007 03:38 PM

This song is being played on major radio in chicago alot. It's good to know the story behind it. It's good to know it's someone with the roots. Lata!


Posted by: randy on June 15, 2007 05:49 PM

unno late, lol

beautiful girls sell off


Posted by: miizz meekah on June 15, 2007 09:33 PM

tek tings easy
mi love yuh song mi have everybody a sing
big ups to mi cousins bounty kiiller and lexus


Posted by: ca-loon on June 15, 2007 10:53 PM

Big up yuself young money... u sound promising, a star in the making so keep up the good work


Posted by: VERRRY LATE on June 16, 2007 02:14 AM

UNNUh really late lolol this song beeen busting the airwaves.....didnt know he was buju's nephew though


Posted by: unknown on June 16, 2007 08:45 AM

I wish it waz an original song...but di song good still.....but still wish it waz an original


Posted by: snow on June 16, 2007 09:28 AM

yeh yardflex u si how long mi a ask. yow did yute is young but him go through alot, mother and sister deh a jail and a whole heap more tings. good yute. sen on the video di world a wait!


Posted by: HellaChick on June 16, 2007 09:49 AM

Wow, honestly. From what I see this bwoy saying in this article. He really inspires me. Cause I'm definately a big fan of music myself and wouldnt mind getting a chance to have my voice heard


Posted by: Jamerican Girl on June 16, 2007 12:37 PM

Yes Sean Kingston. Mi glad fi see seh di young Jamaican Artists are appreciated here in di States. All white, Chiney, Black and inbetween love him song. Mi nevah kno seh im Buju newphew and thats nice to kno....big up to Sean Kingston. I hope he comes to North Carolina soon.


Posted by: Dollas on June 16, 2007 02:40 PM

How is cartel a legend? Please do tell!
Big Up!All the dainty girlz...


Posted by: David on June 17, 2007 02:01 AM

Nepotism? A so it ah go.


Posted by: kez on June 17, 2007 06:15 PM

bust out my youth show dem whe jamaicans can do a revolution jah bless.


Posted by: princess on June 19, 2007 03:41 PM

buju nephew? must be some distant ting dat. neva see dis yout at the studio and buju neva mention him. plus, how him see fit to mention buju in him bio and ting everywhere yet him neva ask di don to participate on him record? sean a fraud. look like him just a use buju name fi claim some jamaican props it seems to me.


Posted by: kemis on June 19, 2007 05:35 PM

well we will see if it's buju nephew still. it's was rather shocking to me to learn that though.

beautiful girl sound awesome yo, it's one of those recycled track well a comtemporary lyrist that u hear once and u immediately think is the next big hit.

think about it, outcast went real mainstream with 'hay ha' beautiful girls seems to be one of those hits.

big man keep on doing ur work, be humble and focus, remember your young, and it will pay off.

mtv, bet sell off!!!


Posted by: simone on June 20, 2007 01:50 PM

this song is off the hook your way to beautiful girl I Think sean has to com to trinidad and perform for us he has talent and will reach far in the music world. i can't wait to meet him in person for real.... big up


Posted by: Doctor on June 22, 2007 07:31 AM

He looks like he is trying to drop so many names... Buju, Bob, Burning Spear... and his music does not seem to reflect any connection with these GREAT artists... soundls like FRAUD to me... seems like he is encouraging suicide...


Posted by: timmi B on June 22, 2007 10:40 AM

yow da yute yah bad...no surprises however ,,,it run inna di blood!


Posted by: debbie on June 27, 2007 03:39 PM

all you haters leave Sean alone he is no fraud he is a bright and upcoming artist and beautiful girls a tek over fe the summer thats the anthem.Does it matter if he is related to those guys at least he did is song on his own without any collaboration then he wouldn't have gotten any credit or respect. My son knows him very well and think he is very talented and so do i. Stop hating people.


Posted by: sash on June 28, 2007 12:02 PM

mi luv dat song it sell off str888


Posted by: UNKNOWN on June 28, 2007 06:57 PM

Sean Kingston madd...in him tune beautiful girls him soun like a 60's jamaican song...but wit base...go deh yute u wicked

Boom Bang KABOOM
Alliance


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