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Gyptian

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This article is about the Jamaican reggae singer. For the fictional characters from the His Dark Materials trilogy, see Gyptians.

Gyptian
Background information
Birth nameWindel Beneto Edwards
Born (1983-10-25) 25 October 1983 (age 41)
OriginKingston, Jamaica
GenresReggae, roots reggae, lovers rock, dancehall
OccupationSinger
Years active2004–present
LabelsVP Records
Websitewww.vprecords.com/gyptian

Windel Beneto Edwards (born 25 October 1983), better known by his stage name Gyptian (/ˈdʒɪpʃən/), is a Jamaican reggae singer. He often appears with roots reggae songs within the reggae subgenre dancehall.

Early life

Born to a Seventh-day Adventist mother Pauline McCaulsky and Rastafarian father, Edwards received his musical calling at the age of seven, when he began singing in the church. He grew up in a small community in Rural St. Andrew, Jamaica called King Weston District. Recognizing his talent, his parents introduced him to Mr. Wong, a record producer from Portmore, St. Catherine. "I did not take it seriously," said Edwards "My family members have always been carrying me to Portmore to see him, but I usually disappear. One day, they dropped me off at his studio and left me and it all began there." [1]

Career

Career beginnings

Under the guidance of Mr. Wong and Earl Chinna Smith, Gyptian honed his sound, winning the 2004 Star Search talent competition at Kens Wild Flower Lounge in Portmore, earning him a spot at Sting 2004, dubbed the 'greatest one night reggae show on earth'.

The singer earned his nickname from his habit of tying a shirt around his head and twisting his chin hair like an Egyptian pharaoh.* Gyptian [2] In 2005, he scored two hits, "Is There A Place" on the Seasons Riddim and "Serious Times".

Nominated for Best New Entertainer at the 2006 International Reggae and World Music Awards, the singer has been dominating the Jamaician charts with hits including "Is There a Place", "Beautiful Lady", and the chart-topping ballad, "Mama, Don't Cry".

On 12 September 2004, Gyptian released his first album My Name Is Gyptian on VP Records. On 12 December 2007, Gyptian, while in New York City, shot the music video, directed by Rhona Fox, for his new single, "I Can Feel Your Pain" (Cloud Nine Riddim) Produced by JonFX. The song was the first to be confirmed to appear on his second album I Can Feel Your Pain, which was released in 2008.

2010 and crossover success

As of the end of May 2010, his single "Hold Yuh" had peaked at number 91 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 33 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Chart, number 6[3] on the Billboard Heatseekers Songs Chart and had been at the top of the Reggae Digital Songs chart for nine consecutive weeks.[4]

In June, the song re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 and eventually reached a new peak of 77 on that chart, number 3 on the Heatseekers Songs chart, 31 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Chart, 63 on the Radio Songs chart and an astonishing peak of 28 on the Billboard Rhythmic Top 40, capitalizing it crossover success. The song also peaked at number 1 on the Dancehall/Reggae fusion Charts of the Jamaica Weekly Music Charts for two consecutive weeks.[5] In Canada it peaked at No. 69 on the Canadian Hot 100.[6] The official remix for the song features rapper Nicki Minaj.[7] It spent 29 weeks on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Chart and 15 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100.

Gyptian had further chart success with his third album Hold You, which reached number 2 on Billboard's Reggae Albums Chart. The title track, "Hold Yuh", became a multi-chart hit worldwide. According to Billboard magazine, "not since Wayne Wonder's "No Letting Go" has an underground reggae artist garnered as much attention in the United States as Jamaica's own Gyptian."

The song also became popular in the UK, and was released there on 7 November by Ministry of Sound Recordings, in an EP which will include remixes by Shy FX, Major Lazer and Toddla T.

In October 2012, he released the SLR EP, which included three tracks from his forthcoming album.[8] His fourth album Sex, Love & Reggae was released in October 2013 and entered the Billboard Top Reggae Albums chart at number one.[9]

His latest album, Nothing to Lose, was set for release in April 2015, but never got released.[10]

Artistry

His style of reggae music is considered lovers rock and roots reggae, with songs about political issues and love.* Gyptian [11] His musical and lyrical style has been compared to established Jamaican artists, such as Sizzla, Luciano and Beres Hammond.[12]

Personal life

Gyptian is currently single and is living in Jamaica. He was born in Werneth, Oldham. He later on moved to Jamaica. In June 2006 his twin sons died after being born prematurely.[13][14]

On 8 June 2010, he crashed his motorbike and sustained minor head and shoulder injuries.[15]

He is Rastafarian, and this is supported by lyrics in some of his songs, including "Leave Us Alone", chants about Selassie I are heard.* Gyptian [16]

Discography

Albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
[17] 		US R&B
[17] 		US Heat
[17] 		US Reggae
[17]
My Name Is Gyptian
  • Released: 18 September 2006[18]
  • Label: VP
 — — — 13
I Can Feel Your Pain
  • Released: 3 November 2008
  • Label: VP
  • Format: CD
 — — — 4
Hold You 186 34 6 2
Sex, Love & Reggae
  • Released: 25 October 2013[19]
  • Label: VP
  • Format: CD, digital download
 — — — 1

EPs

Title Album details
SLR
  • Released: October 16, 2012
  • Label: VP
  • Format: Digital download

Singles

Year Title Peak chart positions Certifications Album
BEL
(FL) 		CAN
[17] 		FRA
[20] 		UK US
[17] 		US R&B
[17]
2010 "Hold You" 31 69 45 16 77 31 Hold You
2011 "Nah Let Go" — — — — — —
2013 "Wine Slow" — — — — — — Sex, Love & Reggae
"Non Stop" — — — — — —
"Vixen" — — — — — —
2014 "Wet Fete" — — — — — —
2015 "All on Me" — — — — — — Nothing to Lose
2017 "Belong to You" (featuring Lisa Hyper) — — — — — — TBA
Year Title Peak chart positions Certifications Album
BEL
(FL) 		CAN
[17] 		FRA
[20] 		UK US
[17] 		US R&B
[17]
2011 "Pum Pum Shorts"
(Mr Vegas featuring Teairra Mari & Gyptian) 		— — — — — — Non-album singles
2012 "Destiny"
(Junior X and Gyptian) 		— — — — — —
2012 "Ma'Gyptian" (Magician Remix)
(Ice Prince featuring Gyptian) 		— — — — — — Everybody Loves Prince
2015 "My Number 1"
(Stylo G featuring Gyptian) 		— — — 45 — — Non-album single
2015 "Wherever You Go"
(Karl Wolf featuring Gyptian) 		— — — — — —
2020 "Move It That Way"
(Gisto, featuring Gyptian) 		— — — — — — "Relief"

References

  1. ^ "VP Records / Gyptian Bio". VP Records. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  2. ^ "VP History: A Reggae Music Journey / VP Today". VP Records. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  3. ^ Heatseekers Songs. Billboard.com (5 June 2010). Retrieved on 24 November 2010.
  4. ^ "Usher's 'OMG' Stands Pat Atop Hot 100, Miley Tames Top 10". Billboard. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  5. ^ Reggae Vibes presents Jamaica's Weekly Music Countdown Charts. Reggae-vibes.com (19 November 2010). Retrieved on 24 November 2010.
  6. ^ Canada Singles Top 100 – Music Charts. Acharts.us. Retrieved on 24 November 2010.
  7. ^ Broadcast Yourself. YouTube. Retrieved on 24 November 2010.
  8. ^ Campbell, Howard (2012) "Gyptian: Ready to go", Jamaica Observer, 26 October 2012, retrieved 27 October 2012
  9. ^ Jackson, Kevin (2013) "Gyptian tops Billboard chart on his debut", Jamaica Observer, 8 November 2013. Retrieved 8 November 2013
  10. ^ Morgan, Simone (2015) "Nothing to Lose", Jamaica Observer, 24 February 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2015
  11. ^ "VP History: A Reggae Music Journey / VP Today". VP Records. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  12. ^ "VP Records / Gyptian Bio". VP Records. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  13. ^ http://www.yardflex.com/archives/000560.html
  14. ^ "Interview: Gyptian | United Reggae". unitedreggae.com.
  15. ^ Entertainment :: Gyptian in bike crash – Singer sustains cuts, bruises :: 8 June 2010 Archived 12 July 2010 at the Wayback Machine. The Jamaica Star (8 June 2010). Retrieved on 24 November 2010.
  16. ^ "VP History: A Reggae Music Journey / VP Today". VP Records. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Billboard Charts > Gyptian". Billboard.com.
  18. ^ https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/my-name-is-gyptian/191834884
  19. ^ https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/sex-love-reggae/720797067
  20. ^ a b Steffen Hung. "Discographie Gyptian". lescharts.com. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
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