FOR the first time in 10 years, Sean Paul occupies the number-one spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 Singles Chart. He is featured on the remix of Australian singer, Sia’s ‘Cheap Thrills’, which takes over the top spot from Drake’s ‘One Dance’, featuring Wiz Kid and Kyla, which led the chart for 10 weeks.
‘Cheap Thrills’ becomes the fourth number-one ‘Hot 100’ single for Sean Paul. His previous chart-toppers are ‘Temperature’ in 2006; and ‘Get Busy’ and ‘Baby Boy’ (with Beyoncé) in 2003.
The last Jamaican act to top the Billboard Hot 100 was OMI, whose ‘Cheerleader’ began a six-week (non-consecutive) run at number- one on July 13 last year.
Other Jamaican artistes who have topped the Billboard Hot 100 are: Carl Douglas (Kung Fu Fighting in 1974); Ini Kamoze (Here Comes the Hotstepper 1994); and Shaggy (It Wasn’t Me in 2000, and Angel in 2001).
‘Cheap Thrills’ is Sean Paul’s ninth entry in the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. He recently signed a recording contract with Island Records. (gtvibes.com)