Being a versatile musician can be a gift and a curse.
American-Jamaican singer Sean Kingston has experienced the highs and lows of being an artist adept at so many music genres the industry has found it difficult to market him effectively.
Speaking to The National in the midst of a US tour, Kingston admits to having tried a little too hard to satisfy the masses.
"Being able to do different things may have confused people," he says.
"This is except for my core fan base who know I love feel-good reggae, pop music and they know I can rap. But at the end of the day, I know some of these things are not really my lane."
Guided by fans
Hence the importance of Kingston’s latest single, Ocean Drive.
Featuring RnB star Chris Brown, it's a care-free summer jam laced with reggae-lite melodies and percolating rhythms of Afro-pop.
Kingston says the new song aims to capture the euphoric and nostalgic vibes responsible for his biggest hits Beautiful Girls (2007) and Fire Burning (2009).
He also confirms the new material will feature in an EP called Road to Deliverance, out later this year, followed by a full-length album, Deliverance.
The connecting titles, he says, epitomises the studio experience.
"I was working hard and trying hard to discover what it is I do and what I am good at and what works best for me,” Kingston says.
“The fans are really important here because they will tell me what they want, especially now, after going through the pandemic is to experience that nostalgia and hearing songs that brought them back to the first time they heard my music."
Reconnecting with Justin Bieber
Some of those throwback vibes may include finally releasing Our World, a mixtape he recorded with Canadian pop star Justin Bieber more than a decade ago.
Kingston announced the record in 2010 by previewing some of the tracks on streaming platform Ustream, but it was never finished or released.
With both artists’ careers having taken off since, Kingston says the duo still have the desire to work together to finish what they started.
"We did about seven or eight songs that are fully completed and what happened was he got busy and I got caught up as well," he says.
"But I think we are going to do it because every time I see Justin he's like 'bro, we need to go back in the studio like the old days.' So I think we'll be able to tap into something real soon.”
However their chemistry might be, it will be markedly different to what was channelled in the studio more than 10 years ago.
While marred with some controversy, Bieber’s career went from strength to strength and he is presently on another massive world tour that lands in Dubai in October.
Meanwhile, Kingston found minor yet consistent success in the charts, but his life was nearly cut short in 2011 when he was involved in a jet ski accident, followed weeks later by emergency open-heart surgery.
Kingston describes the incidents as a wake-up call.
"When you go through that kind of trauma you can't help but reflect about life and on how to move forward," he says.
"I am much more patient now, more chilled and laid-back. Instead of being impulsive and saying let's do this now, I take a step back and think it over and ask myself if this is something I should really be doing."
With Kingston adding more dates to his tour, including two European concerts in Cardiff, Wales and Manchester, England on August 30 and September 3, respectively, he hopes a UAE show can also be part of the mix.
"Man I love it down there because every time I am back it I feel like I am back in Jamaica," he says.
"The people treat me like I am home and they are loving and caring. You can't help but have a great time.
24 concerts and events coming to Dubai, from Lewis Capaldi to Coke Studio — in pictures
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The trio Hooverphonic, led by singer Geike Arnaert, will perform in Dubai in December. Getty Images -
Egyptian actress Yousra will appear in the stage production 'King Farouk' at Dubai Opera. AFP -
Le Trio Joubran, from left, Samir, Wissam and Adnan Joubran. Courtesy: Youness Hamiddine -
Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler in the 2021 film adaptation of the musical 'West Side Story'. The stage show will be performed in Dubai Opera in April. AP -
The Gipsy Kings shot to fame back in the 1980s with their eponymous album. Courtesy Dubai Opera -
Martin Garrix has been named 2022'S world's number one DJ by industry publication 'DJ Mag'. AFP -
Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan will perform his hits at the Coca-Cola Arena. Courtesy Coca-Cola Arena -
Iraqi singer Kadim Al Sahir will perform an intimate show at Dubai Opera. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Canadian DJ deadmau5 will play at the Coca-Cola Arena in December. Getty Images -
Singer Ne-Yo returns to Dubai in December. AFP -
Dutch DJ Armin van Buuren is one EDM's most celebrated artists. AFP -
Nigerian singer Wizkid is one of a new generation of African artists making inroads into the western charts. Getty Images -
Mohamed Ramadan will perform post-match concerts as part of the inaugural World Tennis League tournament. AFP -
Tiesto will bring his hits to the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. AFP -
Jackson Wang will perform on February 4 in Dubai as part of his Magic Man world tour. AP -
Irish comedienne Joanne McNally performs on April 29 at The Agenda. Photo: GME Events -
The Nutcracker ballet is an annual Christmas favourite. Photo: Andy Ross -
Hungarian pianist and composer Balazs Havasi will play at Dubai Opera in 2023. EPA -
The Australian singer Kylie Minogue will ring in the new year in Dubai. Reuters -
Tomorrowland's Terra Sollis features VIP rooms with sun decks, resort views and a private plunge pool. Photo: Terra Solis -
Peter Bence, the former Guinness World Record holder for fastest piano player, performs at Dubai Opera on November 11. Getty Images -
See French crooner Enrico Macias on November 12 at Coca-Cola Arena. Photo: Wikicommons -
Spanish opera star Placido Domingo will headline the lavish Dresden Opera Ball gala evening at Dubai Opera. Getty Images -
Croation classic group 2Cellos are coming to Dubai in November. Courtesy: MBC -
Watch British singer-songwriter Calum Scott live at Hard Rock Cafe in November. Getty Images -
Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi is returning to the UAE for a concert at the Coca-Cola Arena on November 24. EPA -
Illusionist Rob Lake is performing 'The Magic of Rob Lake' at Dubai Opera from November 25 to 27. Photo: FilmMagic -
Music and street culture festival Sole DXB is back for 2022 in December. Photo: Sole DXB -
The Dubai Shopping Festival, starting in December, features concerts, family activities and plenty of shopping deals. Photo: Dubai Shopping Festival -
Pakistani singer Abida Parveen returns to Dubai at the Coca-Cola Arena on December 9. Photo: Catherine de Clippel
