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British R&B Star Climbs US Charts

Jay Sean finds a home on Lil Wayne's Cash Money label

By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 23, 2009 2:12 PM CDT

(Newser) – “It doesn't matter if we're from a little place called Hounslow,” Jay Sean tells the BBC. “If you have some good music, you can make it anywhere.” That’s how the British R&B singer found himself collaborating with Lil Wayne, and climbing to No. 2 on the US charts—making him more successful abroad than he is at home in the UK.

Journalists “say, dude, we wouldn't expect you, a little Brit, to be signed to Cash Money. They love the fact that we're from two different worlds, and I love that as well,” Sean says. He gained the attention of Lil Wayne’s label after splitting from Virgin and then forming his own. The onetime med student now hopes to “clinch that No. 1 spot”—which would require unseating the Black Eyed Peas.

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Jay Sean is shown in a picture from his website. (JaySean.com)

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Jay Sean's "Down" features Lil Wayne. (spaffy14)

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British R&B Star Climbs US Charts