When producer Tony “CD” Kelly released the Buy Out rhythm in 2001, he was confident the project would resonate with audiences. The beat went on to spawn several local and international hits, including Sean Paul’s Like Glue, TOK’s Money to Burn, Mr Easy’s She Drives Me Crazy, Beenie Man’s Miss LAP, and Nuttin Nuh Go Suh by Notch, formerly of the duo Born Jamericans.

Last Friday, Like Glue, the most successful song on the rhythm, which climbed multiple Billboard and other overseas charts in 2003, was certified platinum in the United Kingdom (UK).

The certification issued by the British Phonographic Industry, commemorated more than 600,000 units in sales and streaming.

“If you know me, you ago know that I live by ‘expect the unexpected’ and I make music with visa. I also put my all into each and every project, with the mindset of you’d never know which song or songs are going to take flight and stain the world,” Kelly told Observer Online.

The songs on the Buy Out beat were recorded at Kelly’s Lounge studio and released on his K-Licious label.

Interestingly, the beat was created in 1996, but only came to fruition five years later.

“Classics are just that, classics, and since the rhythm came out and was well received it has been in various conversations every year. So, yeah, the new generation was destined to know about it; either from social media or hearing it when they were younger and seeing how it moved people — feel-good, happy music,” Kelly said.

“The Buy Out rhythm was five years old before it was voiced on and released. It was made around the same time that I created the Bookshelf rhythm. I love to experiment and go against the grain, you know, like creating a new path. And when I get new equipment (rackmount keyboards at the time) I’d dive into the sounds to see what and what [may] stimulate me and give me a vibe and speak to me like ‘use me, use me’. And then my creative juice just starts flowing,” Kelly explained.

The first song that was recorded on the beat was Mr Easy’s She Drives Me Crazy.

Like Glue powered its way to #3 on the UK Singles chart, #13 on the Billboard Hot 100, #9 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and made the top 10 in Hungary, Ireland, Canada, Australia, Italy, Scotland and Switzerland.

Like Glue has given Sean Paul his 10th platinum certification in the United Kingdom, the most for any Jamaican artiste.