KINGSTON, Jamaica—The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) has awarded triple platinum certification to Blu Cantrell and Sean Paul’s iconic 2003 collaboration “Breathe,” recognizing over 1.8 million equivalent units in combined sales and streams. This milestone achievement comes nearly twenty-one years after the track’s initial release on Cantrell’s sophomore album “Bittersweet.
The dancehall-infused R&B single, crafted by producer Ivan Matias, originally dominated international charts upon its July 2003 debut. It claimed the #1 position on the UK Singles Chart for four consecutive weeks while simultaneously reaching top-10 status across numerous European markets including Germany, Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands. The track additionally demonstrated significant crossover appeal, charting on multiple Billboard rankings including Rhythmic Airplay (#23), Dance Club Songs (#17), and the Hot 100 (#70).
“Breathe” represents one of two Jamaican-inspired collaborations on Cantrell’s album, alongside “Make Me Wanna Scream” featuring Inner Circle’s Ian Lewis. The certification announcement on March 6th adds to the song’s existing portfolio of international accolades, having previously earned gold status in Australia, Germany, Denmark, and Norway, plus platinum certification in New Zealand.
This enduring recognition underscores the lasting impact of early-2000s cross-genre collaborations between American R&B artists and Jamaican dancehall performers, demonstrating how such partnerships continue to generate cultural and commercial value decades after their initial release.