A few weeks ago, I presented some of my ongoing research at the the 15th Annual Communication Graduate Caucus (CGC) Conference at Carleton University. Under the theme of “Beyond Boundaries”, the conference sought to explore the ways that communication and media cross social, political, technical, and cultural boundaries. My research project advocates for a move beyond the purely quantitative metrics for assessing success in the music industry, and considered the longevity of Sean Paul’s career, his performances, his collaborations, the frequency with which he releases new songs, his lyrical relevance, his social media following and interventions, and his general recognizability. My presentation at the CGC Conference focused on one aspect of this research project - Sean Paul’s collaborations.

Read More