Jamaican dancehall star Sean Paul has reflected on his iconic collaboration with American pop singer Beyoncé on her 2003 hit single “Baby Boy”. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Paul revealed that Beyoncé ventured out of her comfort zone to collaborate with him on the dancehall track, which ultimately paved the way for the global acceptance of dancehall music.
Paul recalled working with various hip-hop artists at the time, such as Busta Rhymes, Clipse, and Blu Cantrell, but noted that the collaboration with Beyoncé was significant because she was willing to experiment with a new genre. He expressed his admiration for Beyoncé’s bold move, stating that it made him feel like dancehall music was gaining recognition and acceptance worldwide.
The artist also highlighted Beyoncé’s familiarity with dancehall music, given her Texas roots and exposure to the genre growing up. Paul believes that this shared understanding made their collaboration a historic moment for both artists.
“Baby Boy” was a massive success, topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart for nine consecutive weeks and earning a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.