We Be Burnin by Sean Paul and Welcome to Jamrock by Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley were dominating charts in both Europe and America twenty years ago.
Both songs are listed in Billboard magazine’s April 15 list of the 100 Best Songs of 2005, and they have received several music certifications.
- Advertisement -
Currently ranked #25 on the Billboard chart, Welcome to Jamrock earned the Grammy Award for Best Urban/Alternative Performance in 2006.
In August 2005, Marley discussed the popular song in an interview with the Aspen Times.
This song describes the way of life for Jamaicans rather than what visitors experience. Marley told the newspaper, “Real Jamaicans don’t get the tourist experience, the beach package.”
The track “Welcome to Jamrock” is on the Grammy-winning album of the same name, which sold gold. In Hungary, the song reached number 28, the Netherlands at number 76, the UK at number 13, the US at number 55 on the Billboard Hot 100, the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart at number 18, and Hot Rap Songs at number 12.
Pitchfork Media’s Top 500 Songs of the 2000s list placed it at number 270, and it holds gold certification in both Brazil and the United Kingdom.
Delano Thomas of Renaissance Disco, who co-produced We Be Burnin, the lead single from Sean Paul’s third studio album, The Trinity, alongside Michael “Factor” Jarrett and Andre Saunders, was happy to hear that the song had peaked at #86 on the Billboard chart.
He claimed that the song’s overall production and moods contributed to its success on a global scale.
Delano shared with local reporters, “Well, we knew the song sounded and felt good after we put the mix and touches to the production, but we didn’t know that it would connect with the new generation. What was special about the song that made it a hit, was the production and structure. The rhythm (Stepz) was hot, the happy good feeling of the song, and of course Sean Paul putting down the vibes.”
The Renaissance studio was used to record We Be Burnin. Thomas remembered his time on the track with Sean Paul.
Thomas stated, “We always had a good vibe with Sean and the Dutty Cup Crew from start, and its always fun working with him.”
With a peak position of #2 on the UK Singles chart in 2005, Sean Paul’s biggest solo success is We Be Burnin. Additionally, it made it to the Top Ten in ten additional countries, including Germany, Italy, Ireland, and the United States (Billboard Hot 100).
In the desert of Southern California, Jessy Terrero directed the music video that goes with the song.
In Canada, Denmark, Germany, Japan, and the UK, the song has received gold certification. It was certified platinum in the United States.
Pon De Replay (#6), Let Me Love You (#27), 1 Thing (#20), Gold Digger (#4), Mariah Carey’s comeback single We Belong Together (#3), and Hollaback Girl (#2) are among the other songs that made the Billboard 100 Best Songs of 2005 list. First on the list is The Killers’ “Mr. Brightside.”
