Sean Kingston Returns Home

Let’s hop right into this lead single, “Lucky Him” — Tell me about this particular track; how did it come to fruition?

Lead single “Lucky Him,” it’s about a girl that I was dating from Vegas. My mom loved her, but I wasn’t taking it serious. I was still fooling around and she found out and moved on and found someone else, while I am still searching for a girl…so that’s why the song title “Lucky Him.” Also produced by J.R. Rotem, who produced “Beautiful Girls.” This song is special to me, and that’s how the song came about.

Of course “Lucky Him” comes courtesy of your long overdue new solo LP, Road To Deliverance — Conceptually, what does that title represent both to and for you?

“Lucky Him,” the title represents for me a dumb guy that didn’t focus on what I had until another man starts focusing on her.

How then does Road To Deliverance either differ and / or compare to previous Sean Kingston efforts?

Road To Deliverance is a Reggae / Reggae fusion project I’ve always wanted to do, and finally got the chance to. It’s the same melodic, catchy melodies and feel good project, but more my life’s story.

As a songwriter though, when you sit down to pen your lyrics where do you draw your inspiration from?

I am a storyteller, so most of my inspirations are from life experience.

Reflecting, tell me your whole inception into music — When did you first become interested in it? And, how did it all begin for Sean Kingston?

I first became interested in music at the age of 6-8 years old. I would always do talent shows, and I would always win. I had (a) couple of friends who was doing music, but each time I freestyle I would win…but it was just fun to me, until my mom went to prison at the age of 14, and then I wrote a song called the “Prosecutor.” I was always on MySpace and would hit up lots of producers. One day I hit Tommy, J.R. Rotem brother, and I asked him to listen to my songs, and he said, “if you are ever in L.A., hit me up!” My brother flew me to L.A., I met with J.R., and the rest is history.

Now you’re a native of Kingston, Jamaica, by the way of Miami, Florida, correct? So growing up in ‘Jamrock,’ who all did / do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?

I was born in Miami and was raised in Jamaica, between Ocho Rios and Kingston Jamaica, where I now have a house. So I guess you can say I am a native Kingstonian. My strongest musical influences are Buju Banton, Richie Spice and the Marleys.

In having said that, how do you classify your overall sound and / or style?

My overall sound is classified as Island Pop.

What particular string of events actually led up to your initial inking to / with J.R. Rotem’s Beluga Heights imprint through Epic Records?

Stalking J.R. 6 years, 8 times a day, begging him to sign me.

Longevity, what do you attribute yours to?

I write timeless music. My song of 15 years was number 3 on the chart after 15 years, so I definitely (have) longevity.

What do you want people to get from your music?

I want people to have joy and laughter when they listen to a Sean Kingston songs.

On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of R&B?

To me, R&B never left…so I’m happy, especially when I see Chris Brown doing his thing.