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Grammy Award-winning artist Sean Paul was honored with the ‘Entertainer’s Key to the City’ of New York on Saturday.
The recognition came during the third annual ‘Rise Up NYC’ concert series, a city-wide initiative presented by the Office of Mayor Eric Adams that offered free outdoor performances across the five boroughs this summer.
The No Lie hitmaker performed at Roy Wilkins Park in Queens, where he was presented with the symbolic key, acknowledging his significant contributions to the city’s vibrant music scene and his role in bridging Caribbean and American cultures.
“I feel honored to be able to do something that I love and to help take part in my culture and wear the flag in a big city like New York. I’m giving thanks,” Paul said in a statement.
The artist’s connection to New York dates back to the early 2000s when the city played a crucial role in his rising popularity. In fact, Paul had returned to the city in 2022 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Dutty Rock, his sophomore album that catapulted him to global fame.
“New York is a very important place for artists, especially in Dancehall. It’s the first city that I went to that I could do four shows in one night, with all the clubs full,” Sean Paul continued. “It feels like people are understanding us in a big city, like that is a great feeling. So, it feels like we’re connecting. That feels like we are bridging the gap between the cultures and The States.”
“NYC is an iconic city, and I feel iconic,” he added.
Paul’s wife, Jodi Jinx, shared the moment on social media, posting a photo of the couple with the key and a heartfelt caption.
“He got the keys to the city and my heart ❤️,” she wrote.
Sean Paul, wife Jodi JinxHis manager, Steve Urchin, also took to Instagram to express pride in the artist’s accomplishment, writing, “The Mayor of NYC presented the key to the city to the Legend that is Sean Paul last night!!!! So amazing when all the hard work you watch someone put in over the years (decades) gets the recognition and acknowledgment it deserves!!! Big up Sean and big up the whole Dutty team!! 🇯🇲 🔑”
From left: Jules Dougall Harvey, Steve Urchin, Sean Paul and his brother Jason “Jigzagula” Henriques
Jules Dougall Harvey, another member of Paul’s management team, wrote: “I can’t find the right words to express how PROUD I am of @duttypaul for getting the Entertainment Key to the city of New York from the Mayor last night!!! WHAT AN ACCOMPLISHMENT!!!!!”
“The impact Sean and his music has had on NY and the world is absolutely mind blowing and I could not have been prouder to witness this moment! Proud of you Sean! Proud of our team! So deserved! LET’S GO!!!” she continued.
Several other artists, including Fat Joe, Keith Sweat, Patti Labelle, McLyte, and Victor Manuelle, also received the Entertainer’s Key during the concert series, which ran from August 1 to 25.
English (US) ·