Sean's introduction to the international stage was the 1997 boom tune ‘Infiltrate,’ an instant hit wherever reggae music was played. By the time he released his debut album, dancehall hits such as ‘Deport Them,’ ‘No Bligh’ and ‘Hot Gal Today’ (featuring singer Mr. Vegas) had already made him the best-selling artist on VP Records. In 2001, Sean Paul landed another international hit with ‘Gimme the Light,’ and in 2002, ‘Get Busy’ – on the Bollywood-influenced Diwali Riddim – became his first No. 1. These were early signs that his second album, ‘Dutty Rock,’ would redefine the dancehall genre. ‘Dutty Rock’ ultimately spawned four Top 15 Billboard hits – including ‘Like Glue’ and ‘I'm Still In Love With You’ feat. Sasha – and won the Grammy for Best Reggae Album. During the same period, his voice lent its recognisable quality to hits by Beyoncé (‘Baby Boy’), Blu Cantrell (“Breathe”) and Busta Rhymes (‘Make It Clap’) – proof that his hit-making qualities were not limited to a single genre.

Sean Paul's 2005 album Trinity set new records, debuting at number 5 and quickly achieving platinum status, driven by the mega-hit Temperature. ‘Temperature,’ Sean's third No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100, cemented the international star's global status, reaching the top 10 in Canada and France and the top 20 in Australia and the UK. Subsequent releases (from 2009's ‘Imperial Blaze’ to 2022's ‘Scorcha’) kept him consistently at the top of the charts in nearly every market – from pop (‘No Lie’ with Dua Lipa; ‘Cheap Thrills’ with Sia; “Rockabye” with Clean Bandit) to EDM (‘Come To Me’ with Major Lazer; ‘Mad Love’ with David Guetta & Becky G) to Latin (‘Contra La Pared’ with J Balvin). Platinum crossover – ‘Niña Bonita’ earned Paul and his collaborator Feid the award for ‘Best Collaboration’ at the 2024 Latin AMAs, and in the same year, ‘No Lie’ was certified diamond in Brazil – go hand in hand with classic dancehall hits such as ‘Bring It’ and ‘Go Down Deh’. A role as coach advisor to Gwen Stefani in season 22 of The Voice (2022) also made him a TV star.

In the 2020s, Sean Paul's status as the world's most prominent representative of the Jamaica brand was officially recognised by the Jamaican government with the Order of Distinction (2019). With decades of awards, chart successes and a global fan base, his legacy as a musical icon is recognised worldwide.