Dancehall superstar Sean Paul has achieved another milestone, securing the 88th spot on Billboard’s prestigious ‘Top 100 Artistes of the 21st Century’ list. The list, which highlights the most successful artistes based on their performance on the Billboard 200 albums chart and Billboard Hot 100 songs chart from 2000 to 2024, was unveiled on January 8.
Sean Paul, now 52 years old, joins an illustrious group of performers, with Taylor Swift, Drake, Rihanna, Post Malone, and Eminem occupying the top five positions.
Sharing his excitement, Sean Paul reacted by liking Billboard’s Instagram post announcing the list and reposting it to his Instagram stories, accompanied by the words “feeling blessed.” He is flanked on the list by Khalid at 87th and Daughtry at 89th, highlighting the diverse range of artistes included.
Sean Paul, whose full name is Sean Paul Ryan Francis Henriques OD, has been a dominant figure in global music since the early 2000s. His breakthrough came with his second album, Dutty Rock (2002), which propelled him to international stardom with hits like ‘Gimme the Light’ and ‘Get Busy.’
Over the years, he has cemented his place as a global ambassador for Dancehall music, amassing numerous accolades and a dedicated fan base.
While Sean Paul’s inclusion has been widely celebrated by Jamaicans, the list has sparked debate. Some fans took to social media to question the absence of notable names, including K-pop sensations BTS, Blackpink, and Stray Kids.
“Where’s K-pop representation???” one user asked in frustration. Others lamented the absence of global icon Shakira. “Where is Shakira? She’s known globally; like 85% of the world’s population knows her. Some of the artistes on this list I’ve never even heard of,” another fan wrote.
Notyably, Sean Paul is the only Jamaican Dancehall artiste to make the cut, with no mention of other prominent figures from the genre.
Billboard’s ranking sheds light on two and a half decades of music dominance, highlighting artists who have left a lasting impact. With Sean Paul’s enduring career and iconic hits, his place on the list reaffirms his contribution to global music and Dancehall’s influence on the 21st-century music scene.
See the full list in the slide below:
