Sean Paul says he owes Spanish teacher an apology

Coming from the 30th annual Billboard Latin Music Awards, where he was nominated in the Crossover Artiste of the Year category, Sean Paul is having one regret and he is man enough to own up to his mistakes.

The internationally acclaimed artiste, who has found immense favour within the Spanish-speaking music community, is sorry he didn't pay attention in Spanish class while attending Wolmer's Boys School. And he wouldn't mind if this generation tunes in to the value of learning other languages, especially Spanish.

"The Billboard Awards was awesome, but I'm kinda embarrassed yuh know. Miss Ricketts at Wolmer's ... I owe her a big apology because I didn't do too well in her Spanish class. And when people ask me what I would do better, I say that I wish that mi did tek the Spanish thing more serious," Sean Paul told THE WEEKEND STAR.

The dancehall, reggae and pop hitmaker, who has sold more than 26 million records worldwide and has won numerous awards, including a Grammy, has collaborated with many Latino/reggaeton singers, including J Balvin, Enrique Iglesias, Farina, Anita, Danny Ocean and Karol G.

"I know how to say certain things like 'thank you' and other little phrases in Spanish, but honestly, I wish I did pay a little more attention in Miss Ricketts' class. However, it was an honour to be at the awards. At first, when reggaeton came about, people was like 'But yow, dem tek our thing.' But as I came to know every one of them who became big in reggaeton, dem know Shabba Ranks, dem know Beenie and Bounty, dem know me ... so dem study the thing. And the islands ... Cuba and Puerto Rico .. are right there. We are in such close proximity, but the biggest barrier is just a language thing," he said.

Sean Paul shared that for years he has been reaching out to that community, doing songs like Punkie and Hold my Hand (Agarra Mi Mano) in Spanish. He is about to release a song with up-and-comer Manuel Turiza. He noted that although reggae-dancehall has been the dominant culture throughout the English-speaking Caribbean, the genre has impacted the Spanish-speaking Caribbean as well.

"And that is something that a lot of people don't take into account. So I'm kinda here waving the flag. I have been moving strength to strength in that genre. I am looking forward to bridge the gap more and more. I think our kids kinda studying a lot of different languages in school now. When I was there, it was only Spanish and French available and a lot of people are checking out more Spanish, that is why even big reggaeton songs can play on the radio out here," he said.

Sharing his thoughts on positioning the Caribbean musically, Sean Paul said, "If we come together, we can be a huge cultural force in the Earth."

- Y.P.