Sean Paul Says Kardinal Offishall Gave Him His First Break—and Canada Shaped His Career

Sean Paul is looking back on the early connection that helped open doors in his career, crediting Toronto artist Kardinal Offishall as the first person to pay him and put him on a track. In an interview with Billboard Canada, the Jamaican dancehall star also described the country’s influence on his music and his personal history. “First person to pay me, first person to put me on a track,” Paul said, explaining why he always names Kardinal when asked who gave him an early opportunity. Their collaboration came on “Money Jane,” a Baby Blue Sound Crew track that also featured Toronto singer Jully Black. The conversation, hosted by Alicia West, traces connections between Paul and Canada that go beyond that recording. He recalled making videos for “Gimme The Light” and “Get Busy” with Toronto director Director X, who was then known as Little X, and working with dancer and choreographer Tanisha Scott. Paul said Canada had influenced his music in several ways. The Toronto ties also reach back into his family story: Paul said his grandfather lived in Scarborough when the singer was young. That personal connection sits alongside his professional relationships with Canadian artists and creatives. The interview revisits the period when “Get Busy” topped the Billboard Hot 100 and Paul’s album “Dutty Rock” won the Grammy for Best Reggae Album. It also touches on later collaborations, including “Break It Off” with Rihanna and a remix of Sia’s “Cheap Thrills” featuring Paul, which reached No. 1 on the Hot 100 in 2016. Paul also spoke about supporting Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa, according to the interview. Billboard Canada’s new YouTube series chose him as its first guest, with the roughly 30-minute episode covering his career, Canadian connections and work beyond music.