23 August 2003
Sean Paul’s breakthrough hit ‘Get Busy’ had only reached no. 14 in the Irish charts earlier in 2003. However, it was a massive US number one and drove a mainstream surge in the Diwali Riddim—that distinctive handclapping beat—and dancefloor in general. It also serves as groundwork for the arrival of a new Caribbean superstar in a few years from here.
This goes some way to explaining why Sean Paul dominates ‘Breathe’, a single on which he’s notionally a featured guest. It’s unfortunate for Blu Cantrell, of course. If another explanation is the recent success of ‘Crazy In Love’ as some sort of template, then ‘Breathe’ isn’t as good a song, and Cantrell is no Beyoncé. In any case, ‘Breathe’ isn’t a dancefloor track: that big-stepping beat is firmly US R&B. So, this is a clash of two different styles where, unlike Jay-Z playing hype-man and M.C. to the main attraction, Sean Paul’s default setting of gruff dancehall toaster can’t help but overpower Cantrell’s turn. Neither party is showcased to their best advantage here, and to any attentive listening ‘Breathe’ just feels like an awkward mishmash.
Irish Number Ones 