by Anita Chatterjee, Editor-in-Chief

We talked with Sean Paul about his new album “Imperial Blaze” that will drop August 18, 2009 on VP/Atlantic Records.  We now wanted to know about the man behind it all so we caught up with him again to get a little personal. What we heard was Sean’s commitment, passion, and his funny side.

The album is titled “Imperial Blaze” and fire is a major element throughout.  We asked Sean, why fire? “It has a lot to do with smoking,” joked the Jamaican native before he got serious. “Imperial blaze to me means king’s fire. Everybody is a king or queen in their own right.  Fire makes people turn around and look at you and my imperial blaze right now is my music.” That fire has been heating up dance floors and radio stations all summer with Sean Paul’s single “So Fine.”

Sean has been singing to the ladies and for the ladies.  Can we expect the same from “Imperial Blaze?” “The album features a lot of songs about relationships. The first single has to do with meeting a girl.  Other songs talk about break ups. I have a song dedicated to my mother and all mothers. Basically that’s what it’s about--Relationships.” He went on to tell DesiHits! that this album is very personal, “Every song reflects on my life experiences. Each song that I have from the beginning of my career has a lot to do with me and my thoughts. Maybe I didn’t experience it for myself, but I’ve learned it.”

We had to ask for more on this topic: so who is the ideal girl?  While laughing, Sean responded, “My ideal girl is someone who knows what she wants and is confident. I like different types of girls physically, but she definitely needs a sense of humor.” “Keri Hilson is hot!”

How about some Bollywood babes, Sean Paul? “Yeah…I just don’t know their names but I watch Zee TV at home in Jamaica, I have Zee TV on my cable.”  Sean Paul watches Zee TV! Maybe a Bollywood or a Desi collaboration is coming! Sean had a few misconceptions to clear up and he started by saying “People don’t believe I’m from Jamaica. It is my home; I have no home in the States.” He went on to say “I do not play the flute. I was on Wackypedia, yes I call it Wackypedia, reading about myself one day and it says I play the flute. I play the drums and keys and chords on a guitar.” We’re not sure how that rumor was started, but even interviewers have heard it.  Sean told us that an interviewer once said “we have something in common, we play the flute.” and he was thinking, “No we actually don’t!”

Back to the album, we wanted to know how he planned to celebrate. “It is going to be a very exciting day, but I’m going to be on my promotional tour. No down time really, I exercise for fun.” Sean Paul did mention that he would perform in NYC. He wants to get to India too. “I’ve been waiting since 2003 to go to India. I’d love to come. We have come back with tour schedules and it hasn’t worked out.”

So what else can we expect from Sean Paul once “Imperial Blaze” drops? “I’m going to put out a line of marshmallows.” What?! “I’m just kidding. I’m focused on music and I’m gonna be doing another album. I do some artwork too. I’m thinking about putting out a line of caps.” Sean Paul crossing over onto the fashion scene, that’ll be hot.

Sean’s last comment was to his fans, “I would like to thank my fans for waiting for my album. It took a long time because I didn’t want to put out garbage. Big up to my fans in India, I’ll be in India soon.”

Check out “Imperial Blaze” August 18, 2009 on VP/Atlantic Records.