Sean Paul Joins Kes For ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Official Anthem

More than a decade after Dancehall superstar Sean Paul teamed up with Barbadian Soca star Alison Hinds for the song West Indies Cricket, the Get Busy artist is once again joining forces with another Caribbean compatriot for one more cricket song.

This time, Sean Paul is collaborating with Caribbean compatriot Kes of Trinidad and Tobago to create the official anthem for the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Produced by San Fernando-based Michael “Tano” Montano, the song is set for an official premier “in the coming weeks” ahead of the competition, which will be held in the West Indies and the USA starting June 1, according to the ICC.

“Cricket has always been a major part of our culture, so I’m honoured to record the official anthem for the T20 World Cup… 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,” Sean Paul is quoted as saying in the ICC release.

For his part, Kes, the lead singer of Kes the Band, said that he “intends to bring a unique vibe to the tournament via the anthem.”

“Our mission has always been about bringing worlds together, so blending cricket, (dear to us in the Caribbean), with music is a powerful combination. Shoutout 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,” he said.

So far the ICC has released an 11-second teaser on its YouTube channel, featuring the song’s intro which shows snippets of Kes and Sean Paul.

As for the Allison Hinds and Square One collab on the West Indies track, Sean Paul was imperious on the Soca beat for West Indies, which was centered on, celebrating the Caribbean team’s cricketing excellence and their ability to outclass all other nations in the sport.

He deejayed:

“And him bowl and we lick it for six (six!)
Lick it for six and de people love it
And him bowl and we lick it for four! (four!)
Lick it four and dem bawl out more! (more!)

Ah true beat England, beat Pakistan
Beat Sri Lanka and de Australian!
Wha happen to de team from down India?
So shock because we bowl dem over!”

With respect to the upcoming tournament, ICC General Manager, Marketing and Communications Claire Furlong said the track “will appeal to cricket fans the world over”.

“We are delighted to have two globally recognised artists who are at the top of their genres in Sean Paul and Kes produce our tournament anthem, which will set the tone for the biggest cricket carnival spectacle ever.  Fans can expect a song that will reflect the Caribbean identity, while retaining universal appeal for global cricket fans, themed around the event’s marketing campaign ‘Out of this World’,” she stated.

According the ICC’s match fixtures, the tournament will see co-hosts USA taking on neighbours Canada on June 1, while the WINDIES will take on Papua New Guinea in Guyana on the second day of group play.

A total of three venues in the United States and six in the West Indies, will be used for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, the governing body for cricket has disclosed.

“Ten of the 20 teams will play their first match of the 29-day tournament in the USA, with 16 contests to be held in Lauderhill, Dallas and New York and the blockbuster clash between India and Pakistan scheduled for the new Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in Long Island on 9 June.   Forty-one matches will be played in the Caribbean across six different islands, with semi-finals in Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana and the title decider scheduled to be played in Barbados on 29 June,” the ICC said.