Born on February 3, 1990, Sean Kingston spent his early youth in the Half Way Tree section of his parents' hometown of Kingston, Jamaica – hence his name, before moving to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida at age six. By 1996, Sean's love of music led him to a prodigious performance of Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You", forever changing his path. "My mom heard me, and she started bringing me around to family members. Then, I graduated from singing, and started picking up rapping from listening to Ice Cube and Slick Rick." The gangster raps of Cube and the storytelling of Rick the Ruler had a profound effect on the boy, who also was exposed to heavy doses of Buju Banton, Dennis Brown, and Rakim from his young parents. Not only did their music affect Sean, but so did their traits. "I feel like I'm my father, 'cause I got a hustler's mentality; if I want something, I'm gonna get it. I'm like my mom, because we're picky about what we do, but we're always gonna make the right choice," says the 19-year-old today.
By his early teens, Sean Kingston was performing his raps throughout South Florida. "I did talent shows and showcases, but I never really battled," he says of his effort to get discovered. With Ft. Lauderdale twenty miles north of Miami, Sean has already shared stages with Trina, Pitbull, Ludacris, Pretty Ricky, and Trick Daddy. Like Trick, Sean has definitely felt the allure of street life. Beginning with a breaking-and-entering charge at age 11, Sean has seen his share of trouble. As the youngest of three supportive siblings, this let down the boy's mother, presently incarcerated herself for identity fraud. "I've been through a lot. I did 21 days in jail, been to boot camp, got sent to Jamaica, slept in cars with my family; I had a rough life," says an appreciative Sean today.
Around 2004, Sean began incorporating elements of his Reggae heritage with his rapping abilities. The gifts have allowed Sean's music to have a unique blend of street raps with Caribbean flare and catchy, homegrown hooks. This one-of-a-kind presence eventually led Sean Kingston's music to the ears of chart-topping producer Jonathan "J.R." Rotem (The Game, Rick Ross, Britney Spears, 50 Cent, Rihanna, Dr. Dre, etc.), who quickly saw potential in the teenage rapper. "He sent me two of his early tracks, and I recorded them, and sent them back in two days," says Kingston. Soon after J.R. and Zach Katz signed the artist to their Beluga Heights record label – and subsequently Cinematic Music Group for Management, a three-way bidding war between Warner Brothers, Atlantic, and Epic/Sony developed.
In addition to having J.R. producing the majority of the album, producers Cool & Dre, DJ Khaled, Just Blaze and others are expected to contribute tracks. In terms of guests, Sean looks forward to appearances by Akon, Rick Ross, Baby Cham and Damian Marley.
As hip-hop moves away from the limited expectations of "kiddie rappers," Sean thinks today's young listeners deserve more, "When people hear my music, I want them to be inspired. Whether a White kid or a Black kid, I want them to know, 'Damn, imagine me being in his predicament.' I want to send messages, and I rep for the streets as a real ass n$#%@. It's all about being true." As most 16-year-olds are concerned with getting a job, Sean Kingston is sitting in the driver's seat of hip-hop's future, and like late great Biggie Smalls, he's got a story to tell.
Ayo
Sean Kingston Lyrics
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It's a party going on the 16th floor
But she just lookin' for the summer turn up
I think she lookin' for the summer turn up
Ayo ayo
It's a party going on the 16th floor
I think she lookin' for the summer turn up
So I'ma show her how the summer turn up
I think she lookin' for the summer turn up
So I'ma show her how the summer turn up
She wanna party like a rock star, zoom in the fast car
We gon' get it in tonight girl
I can see it in your eyes that you need a real guy
I'm gone come and beat it right girl
I need it, in every way this is gonna be right yeah
So don't waste my time time
We gon' enjoy the summer
I'ma be your no. 1 lover
As long as you're mine
We gon' turn up and say
Ayo ayo
It's a party going on the 16th floor
But she just lookin' for the summer turn up
I think she lookin' for the summer turn up
So all you gotta do is take it to the head non-stop girl
I think she lookin' for the summer turn up
So I'ma show her how the summer turn up
Hey Shawty this here a pool party
I'll get you wet like I should girl
'Cause it's summertime fine
I think it's bout time me and you should link up now
'Cause I want it, in every way this is gonna be right yea
Pour up and relax your mind
'Cause we about to turn up
Shut the club down, watch it burn up
'Cause girl you're so fine
That I have to say
Ayo ayo
It's a party going on the 16th floor
But she just lookin' for the summer turn up
I think she lookin' for the summer turn up
Ayo ayo
It's a party going on the 16th floor
But she just lookin' for the summer turn up
I think she lookin' for the summer turn up
So all you gotta do is take it to the head non-stop girl
I think she lookin' for the summer turn up
So I'ma show her how the summer turn up
Summer summertime
Wind up your waist and we gotta wind
'Cause girl you're one of a kind
Love come divine, I have to make you mine like
Ayo, I will give you my pesos
Just to have you so close
Girl you amazing, you hot like Asian, you're blazing
Ayo ayo
It's a party going on the 16th floor
But she just lookin' for the summer turn up
I think she lookin' for the summer turn up
Ayo ayo
It's a party going on the 16th floor
I think she lookin' for the summer turn up
So I'ma show her how the summer turn up
The lyrics of "Ayo" by Sean Kingston are all about a fun summer party. The song starts with an invitation to join the party on the 16th floor through the repetition of the phrase "Ayo ayo." The singer notices a girl who is looking for a summer turn up and decides to show her how it's done. He promises to make her feel like a rock star and "beat it right" as the party gets started.
As the song progresses, the singer emphasizes his desire to be with the girl and make her his own. He invites her to the pool party where he promises to get her wet like he should, and he wants her to relax and enjoy the summer vibe while he lavishes her with attention. The song ends with the singer repeating the invitation to the party while highlighting the uniqueness of the girl and his desire to make her his.
Overall, "Ayo" is a fun, upbeat song celebrating the good times of the summer party scene. The lyrics are all about living in the moment and enjoying life to the fullest with good music, good company, and good vibes.
Line by Line Meaning
Ayo ayo
The song starts with the title, 'Ayo' repeated twice.
It's a party going on the 16th floor
There is a party happening on the 16th floor, and the singer is talking about it.
But she just lookin' for the summer turn up
He thinks that the girl he is talking about is not interested in just any party, but a summer party.
I think she lookin' for the summer turn up
The singer repeats the point that the girl is seeking a summer party.
So I'ma show her how the summer turn up
The singer says he is going to demonstrate what a real summer party is like.
So all you gotta do is take it to the head non-stop girl
He urges the girl to drink and party without stopping.
She wanna party like a rock star, zoom in the fast car
The girl wants to party and ride a fast car like a celebrity.
We gon' get it in tonight girl
The singer promises that they will party and have fun tonight.
I can see it in your eyes that you need a real guy
The singer believes that the girl wants a genuine and reliable partner.
I'm gone come and beat it right girl
The singer promises to provide the girl with good pleasure and happiness.
We gon' enjoy the summer
The singer says that they will have fun during the summer season.
I'ma be your no. 1 lover
He wants to be the girl's number one love partner.
As long as you're mine
The singer will only be her lover if he is the only one she is with.
We gon' turn up and say
They will party and have fun together, saying the title of the song - 'Ayo'.
Hey Shawty this here a pool party
The singer mentions that it is a pool party and greets the girl as 'shawty' or girl.
I'll get you wet like I should girl
The singer will make the girl wet, as it is required in a pool party.
Pour up and relax your mind
The singer suggests that it is time for both of them to relax and enjoy the moment.
'Cause we about to turn up
They are going to party and enjoy themselves thoroughly.
Shut the club down, watch it burn up
The party will be so fun that the club will be shut down or closed.
Summer summertime
It is summertime, and the singer is discussing the atmosphere and environment of the season.
Wind up your waist and we gotta wind
He urges the girl to move and dance with him.
'Cause girl you're one of a kind
The singer acknowledges and praises the uniqueness of the girl he is talking about.
Love come divine, I have to make you mine like
The singer feels that his love for the girl was meant to happen, like it was a divine intervention.
Ayo, I will give you my pesos
The singer promises to give the girl his money and wealth.
Just to have you so close
He is willing to go to great lengths to have the girl close to him.
Girl you amazing, you hot like Asian, you're blazing
He tells the girl that she is amazing, beautiful, and hot like an Asian.
So I'ma show her how the summer turn up
The singer concludes by reiterating his desire to demonstrate a great summer party to the girl.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Kisean Anderson, Nicholas Balding, Mark Kragen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind