Words Annabel McLeod Photography Debbie Bragg (shot for ARISE Issue 6)
Clad in diamond-encrusted jewellery and wearing a watch set five hours behind GMT ("The diamonds still work,” he quips), ARISE met the Jamaican reggae superstar in London to talk about the things making him tick right now.
1
He has replaced his trademark cornrows for a Mohawk. "I shaved off one side [of my head], then I shaved the other, I looked in the mirror and smiled. I thought, ‘This makes me happy,’ so I'm going to keep it like that," he says.
2
For new album Tomahawk Technique, he teams up with top producers Rico Love, Benny Blanco, Stargate. "It's a pop, dancehall, there's a lot more singing," he confides.
3
Before he became known for party smashes including Gimme The Light, Baby Boy (Paul's collaboration with Beyoncé), and new track Got 2 Luv U featuring Alexis Jordan, he nearly ventured into career on water. “My grandfather was on Jamaica's first water polo squad!”
4
Paul's favourite thing to sing about? "The ladies," he chuckles. "When's the last time you heard a song about dropping guns at a party?" Good point. So how do make airport security checks look sexy? For the answer watch the video for Paul’s new track She Doesn't Mind.
5
He's got his eye on UK artist Wretch 32 (watch his number 1 hit Don't Go, below), and over the pond, the Queen of quick-fire raps,
Nicki Minaj. His dream collaboration? Shakira (Shakira).
6
In our sixth issue we crowned Paul Lord of the Dancehall. Find out why,
here.
She Doesn't Mind, out February 27 [Atlantic Records]
allseanpaul.com