South African sensation Tyla and dancehall veteran Sean Paul have joined forces to rework PUSH 2 START, turning an already infectious track into an undeniable club essential.
The remix, lifted from the deluxe edition of Tyla’s self-titled debut album, seamlessly blends Amapiano’s hypnotic grooves with dancehall’s rhythmic energy, creating a cross-cultural collaboration that honours both artists’ musical heritage.
Until now, Tyla has been riding the global success of her breakout hit Water, which introduced the world to her magnetic blend of Amapiano and R&B.
With Push 2 Start (Remix), she expands her sonic territory by enlisting Sean Paul, whose two-decade career has seen him collaborate with everyone from Beyoncé to Dua Lipa.
Where Amapiano Meets Dancehall: A Musical Convergence
Push 2 Start (Remix) exemplifies a natural fusion between two genres with shared rhythmic DNA.
The production, overseen by Sammy Soso, maintains the original’s Amapiano foundation while incorporating dancehall’s distinctive cadences and energy.
Sean Paul himself acknowledged this compatibility: “Tyla identifies herself as an Amapiano artiste, that’s a version of Afrobeats that, to me, is way more clubby,” he explained in a recent interview.
“The first time I heard it, I felt that I could deejay on it easily. It’s more infused with what dancehall is.”
The track begins with Sean Paul’s unmistakable ad-libs—“Life and livin’ and ever thanks givin'”—before Tyla’s sultry vocals enter over minimal percussion.
The production builds gradually, layering syncopated drums with the bubbling bassline characteristic of Amapiano.
What makes the collaboration so effective is how the arrangement creates space for both artists’ distinctive vocal approaches to shine without overshadowing each other.
Tyla’s chorus—“Act like you heard me/Only serve it up if you deserve me, yeah”—provides an instantly memorable hook, while Sean Paul’s verses add rhythmic complexity and dancehall authenticity:
“Baby girl, you ah the badess to be honest Hottest girl pon the planet and a no just Johannesburg That’s my word if you bet pon it and nuh fret pon it”
Their voices intertwine most effectively in the post-chorus section, creating a call-and-response dynamic that emphasises the collaborative spirit:
“Mm, pushin’ on my buttons with no hesitation (‘Tation) Gas me up, give me motivation (‘Vation) So tell me where we goin’, pick a destination (‘Nation)”
The Music Video: Visual Chemistry in Motion
The Push 2 Start (Remix) video, co-directed by Tyla and Taylor Fauntleroy, is a vibrant fusion of music, dance, and style, reflecting the rich sonic and visual legacies of both Amapiano and dancehall.
Tyla’s dance sequences exude both power and sensuality, set against a backdrop bursting with vibrant hues.
The choreography blends provocative, fluid movements with the pulsating rhythm of the track, while Sean Paul’s magnetic presence adds a dynamic contrast.
Beyond the visual spectacle, Tyla weaves in subtle homages to the past, particularly nodding to Paul’s iconic 2002 music video for “I’m Still In Love with You” featuring Sasha.
From the styling choices to the intimate yet playful staging, these references bridge generations, reinforcing the track’s timeless appeal. Fans quickly took notice, flooding the comment section with praise.
“It’s giving ‘Rude Boy’ (by Rihanna) meets ‘I’m Still In Love With You’ (by Sean Paul) with a twist of Tyla,” one user observed.
Another reflected on the nostalgic quality, writing, “Tyla is bringing us back to the 2000s celebrities that we didn’t experience because we were kids, as a Gen Zs.”
Taylor Fauntleroy’s cinematography heightens the video’s allure, using rhythmic edits and dynamic camera angles to mirror the track’s infectious energy.
Every frame feels immersive, paying homage to dancehall’s visual legacy while pushing it into fresh, contemporary territory.
Cultural Bridge-Building Through Sound
The Push 2 Start remix represents a significant moment in the ongoing musical conversation between African and Caribbean sounds.
This exchange isn’t new—dancehall has influenced numerous global genres—but the explicit collaboration between established and emerging stars from these regions signals continued evolution.
Sean Paul has spent decades as dancehall’s most recognisable global ambassador.
He acknowledges the genre’s influential reach: “You have to salute the root. Dancehall evolved from reggae, and it helped to influence other genres like reggaeton and Afrobeats.”
For Tyla, who has rapidly ascended from social media sensation to Grammy-nominated artist, the collaboration with Sean Paul represents another milestone in her international trajectory.
Reception and Global Impact of “Push 2 Start (Remix)”
Since its February release, the Push 2 Start remix has performed impressively across streaming platforms, with particularly strong reception in dancehall hotspots like Jamaica and Trinidad, as well as across the African continent, especially in South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya.
The track has become a staple in DJ sets worldwide, with its infectious rhythm and call-and-response sections providing perfect moments for crowd participation.
Music critics have praised the natural chemistry between the two artists and the seamless blend of their respective musical styles.
The Road Ahead
Sean Paul and Tyla’s Push 2 Start (Remix) bridges dancehall and Afrobeats at a time when both genres are reshaping global pop.
Paul maintains his crown as dancehall’s international ambassador while Tyla emerges as Africa’s breakout star.
“Tyla and I manifested this collaboration,” Paul noted simply. “Those who seek shall find.”
The track works as a musical gateway—Paul’s fans discover Amapiano’s rhythmic landscapes while Tyla’s followers experience authentic dancehall from a master.
This musical handshake proves what Paul expressed: “As Jamaicans, we are versatile; it’s our greatness.”
The remix takes both artists—and their listeners—into fresh territory, whether blasting through club speakers or streaming on headphones.
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Tyla & Sean Paul Push 2 Start (Remix) Lyrics
Intro: Sean Paul & Tyla
Life and livin’ and ever thanks givin’ (Ayy)
You dun know it’s Sean a Peezy
The girl them over easy (Ayy, yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah-yeah)
Longside Tyla
Now the world hot up like fire (Oh)
Verse 1: Tyla & Sean Paul
The way we move, uh, skin onto skin
No separation, need no conversation, nah, nah, nah
Uh, on everything
It’s automatic, goin’ zero to a hun-na-na (Dutty, yeah)
Ride, and wishin’ the wheels would fall off
Time is tickin’, it’s takin’ you too long
Right before I decide to go home
Chorus: Tyla & Sean Paul
Act like you heard me
Only serve it up if you dеserve me, yеah
Girl, my love is worth it
Press it up, gyal, push to start (Pusha, pusha)
Act like you heard me
Only serve it up if you deserve me, yeah
Shake it up like a earthquake
Press it up, gyal, push to start (Pusha, pusha) (Biddi, bang, bang, bang)
Post-Chorus: Tyla & Sean Paul
Mm, pushin’ on my buttons with no hesitation (‘Tation)
Gas me up, give me motivation (‘Vation)
So tell me where we goin’, pick a destination (‘Nation)
Gas me up, give me motivation now (‘Vation)
Pushin’ on my buttons with no hesitation (‘Tation)
Gas me up, give me motivation (‘Vation)
So tell me where we goin’, pick a destination (‘Nation) (Write us up)
Gas me up, give me motivation now (Nah)
Verse 2: Sean Paul
Baby girl, you ah the badess to be honest
Hottest girl pon the planet and a no just Johannesburg
That’s my word if you bet pon it and nuh fret pon it
Cah I’m gonna make you fly just like bird
Me make you wiggle wid di thing, me make you jiggle wid di thing
Move up your body and a swing, I am the king for your world
So bubble when you bring it, just the mesmerising
It is tantalising, come make we seal it, girl
Cah my loving it don’t got a limit, girl
So don’t go left me heart inna di dirt
You know I’m the man fi go win it, girl
Love it how you whine and spin it, girl (Dutty, yeah)
Bridge: Tyla & Sean Paul
Come give me life, and I’ll change yours
Girl, who needs signs? I say, “Floor it”
On a high (Baby girl) when we load it
Girl, if you hold it, make me load it (Hold me)
Chorus: Tyla & Sean Paul
Act like you heard me
Only serve it up if you deserve me, yeah
Girl, my love is worth it (Pusha, pusha)
Press it up, gyal, push to start (I got you, girl) (Pusha, pusha)
Act like you heard me
Only serve it up if you deserve me, yeah
Shake it up like a earthquake (Pusha, pusha)
Press it up, gyal, push to start (Pusha, pusha)
Post-Chorus: Tyla & Sean Paul
Mm, pushin’ on my buttons with no hesitation (‘Tation) (I’m gassed up)
Gas me up, give me motivation (‘Vation)
So tell me where we goin’, pick a destination (‘Nation)
Gas me up, give me motivation now (‘Vation) (Ridet a wave)
Pushin’ on my buttons with no hesitation (‘Tation)
Gas me up, give me motivation (‘Vation)
So tell me where we goin’, pick a destination (‘Nation) (Baby girl)
Gas me up, give me motivation now (Now)
Outro: Tyla & Sean Paul
Give me life, I’ll change yours
Who needs signs? I say, “Floor it”
On a high when we load it
Seize the moment ride a wave now, darling
