Dutty Rock (by Sean Paul, Dancehall/Reggae)

DUTTY ROCK is Jamaican slang for "Dirty Rock," and Sean Paul's second album fully earns that title, describing life in dancehalls smoking weed, drinking, and hitting on women. The singer even gives a nod to the Indian trend in dancehalls via up-tempo rhythms in "Shout (Street Respect)," and in "Bubble," which features Fahrenheit and an insistent beat on the tabla drum. "Get Busy" uses a frantic beat to urge "sexy ladies" to "oscillate you hip and don't take pity." In the dancehall hit "Gimme the Light," he chants, "Could I be your protector/ You buff in every sector/ Every man around them/ Want turn your inspector/ But you no let them sweat ya/ Nor grill you with no lecture/ 'Bout them power drill/ Or them fuel injector/ Them a infector disease collector."

Paul was a songwriter before he turned singer, and his lyrics -- though at times explicit -- are amusing and delivered with stylish energy. Dancehall purists will forgive him just a few digressions (a Spanish-language version of "Punkie" for example), thanks to catchy rhythms, unforgettable hooks, and Paul's crisp delivery on the rest of the CD.

Released on: November 26, 2002
Label: Atlantic
Genre: Dancehall/Reggae
Parental advisory: Yes
Edited version available: Yes