TWENTY-THREE years after it was first released as Give Me The Light, Sean Paul’s Gimme The Light received a new lease on life.

On May 10, American rapper Ice Spice released Gimmie a Light, which samples the Sean Paul hit. It is the first single from her debut album Y2K, which is scheduled for release later this year via Capitol Records.

The song was produced by Ice Spice’s long-time collaborator RiotUSA.

The Sean Paul hit was among 12 tracks featured on the inescapable
Buzz rhythm and produced by Jamaican Troyton Rami for Black Shadow Records.

Some of the notable tracks featured on the Buzz rhythm included Haters Wanna War by Elephant Man, Pump Har Up by Sizzla, and Press Trigger by Mad Cobra.

“I feel honoured that Ice Spice has used Gimme The Light. I like how she mixed the elements of the Buzz rhythm with the hip hop trap beat infusing the genres together. It’s a fresh vibe,” Rami told the Jamaica Observer in an interview on the weekend.

The Buzz rhythm hit pay dirt for the Florida-based Rami. He said Ice Spice’s team reached out seeking permission to use the sample.

“Yes, I was honoured when they reached out to me about the use of the sample,” said Rami.

Asked what he recalled about the recording session for Give Me the Light in 2001, Rami said: “It was an awesome vibe working with Sean Paul in the studio. He is still one of my favourite artistes today.”

Gimme The Light was Sean Paul’s breakthrough hit on the Billboard Hot 100. It rose to #7 in 2002 and its success was rivalled in Europe, where it dented several charts including those in the UK (#5), the Netherlands (#16), Sweden (#19), Germany, Scotland and Switzerland. It also topped out at #11 in Canada.

The song has been certified silver in the UK and gold in Canada.

The Grammy-nominated Ice Spice is best known for the hit songs Much (Feelin U), Gangsta boo featuring Lil Tjay, Princess Diana featuring Nicki Minaj, and Barbie World featuring Minaj and Aqua.

Since the release of the Buzz rhythm, Rami has remained busy working with a number of acts through the years in reggae and dancehall.

Among his recent releases are Fine Whine by Alkaline, Picture Perfect by Charly Black, I’m Back by Hood Celebrityy featuring Bounty Killer, and
Money and Done by Mavado.

He is also gearing up to release a project called Fully Bad rhythm.