Dancehall superstar Sean Paul continues to rewrite the UK record books. More than two decades after its release, his 2001 breakout hit Like Glue has been certified platinum in the United Kingdom, securing the Grammy-winning icon his 10th UK Platinum single and cementing his status as the most-certified Jamaican artiste in British chart history. The milestone, confirmed by the British Phonographic Industry last Friday, highlights the enduring global power of both Sean Paul’s catalogue and Tony “CD” Kelly’s legendary Buy Out rhythm.
The certification recognises over 600,000 units in combined sales and streams for Like Glue, which remains the most commercially successful cut from the Buy Out rhythm. First introduced in 2001, the Tony Kelly-produced riddim became a defining force in early-2000s dancehall, spawning multiple hits including TOK’s Money to Burn, Mr Easy’s She Drives Me Crazy, Beenie Man’s Miss LAP, and Nuttin Nuh Go Suh by Notch of Born Jamericans. Recorded entirely at Kelly’s Lounge studio and released via his K-Licious label, the rhythm’s upbeat, feel-good energy has allowed it to transcend generations and remain a cultural reference point within Jamaican music history.
In 2003, Like Glue enjoyed remarkable international success, peaking at No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart, No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, and No. 9 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, while also cracking the top 10 across Europe, Australia, and Canada. Notably, the Buy Out instrumental itself dates back to 1996, underscoring Kelly’s forward-thinking production style and willingness to challenge dancehall’s sonic norms long before the riddim officially reached audiences.
The latest accolade arrives just weeks after Sean Paul extended his reign as Spotify’s most-streamed dancehall artiste globally for 2025, pulling in over 1.6 billion streams across 184 countries. With more than 15 billion lifetime Spotify streams and a catalogue that continues to dominate playlists worldwide, Sean Paul’s latest UK Platinum doesn’t just celebrate nostalgia — it reinforces a legacy still very much in motion as he enters 2026 at the top of his game.
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