“Down (feat. Lil Wayne)” by Jay Sean (f/ Andrés)

Back in the fall of 2009, an unexpected voice from the UK took over American radio when Jay Sean’s “Down” (featuring Lil Wayne) knocked the Black Eyed Peas off the top of the charts after their epic run. This week on One Hit Thunder, Andrés joins us to revisit that moment in time—when ringtone sales mattered, Cash Money Records was everywhere, and Jay Sean seemed poised to become a global star. We dig into the rise and stall of his career, the lasting power of a great melody, and whether or not his smooth style should’ve taken him even further. Along the way, we also reflect on the shifting sounds of pop and hip-hop, the legacy of Lil Wayne’s feature run, and why some hits live on while others fade fast. Most importantly, are we down with Jay Sean? You’re just gonna have to listen to find out.

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