Debuted at No. 6 on Billboard Reggae Albums Chart

Five years ago, on September 3, 2021, Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt added another chapter to his post-athletics career with the release of Country Yutes, his collaborative album with longtime friend and business partner Nugent “NJ” Walker.

Released through Bolt’s A-Team Lifestyle label, the 14-track project became his first full-length album as a music producer.

The album made an immediate impact on the charts, debuting and peaking at No. 6 on Billboard’s Reggae Albums chart after earning more than 1,800 album-equivalent units from sales and streaming during its first week according to data provided to WMV by Luminate. It spent one week on the chart.

Bolt would later receive a Billboard plaque commemorating the album’s chart achievement, and the sprint icon used the occasion to thank the people who supported his move into music.

“Thanks to all my fans who have supported me in everything I do,” Bolt wrote on social media. “Just know I don’t take these moments for granted.”

The plaque was particularly significant considering Bolt had repeatedly insisted that he and NJ were serious about establishing themselves in Jamaican music.

Even before Country Yutes arrived, Bolt spoke exclusively with World Music Views and compared his approach to music with the philosophy that took him to the top of track and field: work, patience and dedication.

“We’re serious about the music so we’re just going to take our time,” he said while discussing the project in 2021. “Just like in Track and Field, it’s all about work and dedication.”

Country Yutes followed several earlier productions from Bolt, including the Olympe Rose riddim in 2019 and Immortal riddim in 2020. He later expanded his production résumé with projects including the Clockwork riddim, which featured Dancehall stars Vybz Kartel, Cham, Charly Black, Shaneil Muir, Teejay, Christopher Martin and ZJ Liquid.

Bolt has his eyes on a Grammy

For Bolt, however, a Billboard plaque was never intended to be the finish line.

In an interview with the World Music Views podcast, the Jamaican superstar revealed that his ultimate ambition in the recording industry was to capture music’s most recognizable trophy.

Asked whether he had a goal in music comparable to chasing an Olympic medal, Bolt responded simply: “Grammy!”

“I want to win a Grammy, that would be the biggest thing for me. That’s my end goal,” he said.

Bolt explained that music had always been part of his life, even during the height of his athletics career. His appearances in clubs and love for Dancehall were well documented, but the additional time created by the COVID-19 pandemic allowed him to devote more attention to production.

He also said his experiences as an elite athlete shaped the way he approached his new industry.

“I am not satisfied,” Bolt said. “I learned over the years you should never just be satisfied… if there is something you want, why not?”

That mentality also extended to the business side. Bolt said he wasn’t initially searching for a record deal and stressed the importance of owning his masters, while acknowledging that he was still learning how the music business worked.