BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Two of the Caribbean’s leading music performers are set to collaborate on the official anthem for the ICC Men’s Twenty20 World Cup to be staged in June in the Caribbean and the United States.
The ICC, the sport’s world organising body, announced yesterday that Grammy award-winning dancehall reggae artiste Sean Paul and soca singer Kes will join forces to produce the anthem for the event.
According to an ICC news release, production of the anthem is in full swing for the track that will reverberate around the world when the 20 teams come together from June 1 to 29 for the biggest men’s T20 World Cup.
The anthem is being produced by Michael “Tano” Montano and will be launched in the coming weeks, together with the music video, which will feature cameos from several well-known superstars.
Paul, a Jamaican performer, philanthropist, and record producer, has earned several Grammy, Latin Music, and Billboard Music awards nominations.
He is also the recipient of an MTV Europe Music Award (2003), Grammy Award winner “Dutty Rock” Reggae Album of the Year (2004), the ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Music Awards for “Top Reggae Artiste of the Year” (2005), an American Music Award (2006), of which he is the only Jamaican artiste to have won in the category for favourite pop/rock male artist.
“Cricket has always been a major part of our culture, so I’m honoured to record the official anthem for the T20 World Cup,” Paul said.
“I’m a big fan of Kes, and the track will feature a nice touch of the Caribbean, with some dance, to an international vibe and, of course, soca – it will be a real anthem for people to sing out and feel the spirit of unity.”
Kes, real name Kees Dieffenthaller, is the lead singer of Kes the Band from Trinidad & Tobago, which produced some of the most indelible anthems of modern Caribbean music.
In addition to his collaboration with Sean Paul on the official anthem, he has shared the stage with performers such as Will Smith, Major Lazer, and John Legend, and he has collaborated with artistes from Wizkid to Snoop Dogg.
“Our mission has always been about bringing worlds together, so blending cricket, (dear to us in the Caribbean), with music is a powerful combination,” he said.
“Shout-out to Sean Paul, Tano, and the whole team for creating this musical vibe. Can’t wait for everyone to sing along to this worldwide anthem and bring the party to stadiums across the West Indies and USA.”
Organisers said they hope the anthem helps to build on the excitement that comes with 50 days to go until the start of the tournament.
