Last September reggae singer Gyptian‘s “Hold You” surpassed 100 million views and the VP recording artists spoke to WMV about the song as well as his early days in the music.
“Dem time inuh me G, 99% of the time me nah see the crowd inuh me eyes them close”. Gyptain says of his early days as a performer when he graced the stage at Beenie Man’s Summer Sizzle in the mid 2000s.
At first the King Weston District resident says he didn’t take his talents seriously, a departure from the thousands of Jamaican boys who have aspirations of becoming a superstar.
Thanks to his persistent parents who brought him to the studio and left him, he has been famous in Jamaica since his first album “My Name Is Gyptian” was released by VP records in 2004.
His initial accomplishments were followed up in 2007 with the single “I Can Feel Your Pain” produced by JonFX on the Cloud Nine Riddim. Three years later, his hit single, “Hold You” – with an infectious hook- brought him international recognition.
“Hold You” has been certified Platinum in the U.K. by the British Phonographic Industry. That accomplishment places Gyptian among the top one percent of reggae and dancehall artists.
I’m the US, the song peaked at 77 on the Hot 100 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.
In Canada it peaked at No. 69 on the Canadian Hot 100. The official remix for the song features rapper Nicki Minaj spent 29 weeks on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Chart and 15 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100.
As “Hold You” the song gained international success, Hold You the album landed at number 2 on Billboard’s Reggae Albums Chart.
Even with his chart success in various genres he says the music shouldn’t be separated.
“I don’t think you should have a genre where you have to say this is the type of music. Sing music, people dance,” he says.
“Put something out there where people can be entertained and dance to,” he expounds.
The thought of being placed in a box seems tame to him.
“Thats all about an artist being versatile, using up his versatility, it’s not about putting in one box because from you see a man like me you know there is not putting in a box or categorize me,” he dismissively while laughing.
Gyptian is yet to work with the new generation of dancehall artists coming out of Jamaica but he says he respects their efforts and would never speak down on them.
“Back when we did younger out parents couldn’t really relate to what we did a do” he rationalizes.
There is plenty to talk about on that subject but he concludes:
“The next generation is gonna do what they are comfortable with…their frequencies are totally different from ours.”
He acknowledges that there are changes being made within the industry but from the rubble he says he has seen some gold.
“At the same time what me hear them a put back into the music is some melody, me a hear some pretty sounds.”
In 2017 he made a seemingly premature announcement about a departure from VP records due to their inability to market and promote reggae music.
The label then responded to his claims in a statement to the Jamaica Observer, “Reports that reggae artiste Gyptian is no longer signed to VP Records are false. On the contrary, VP Records can confirm that Gyptian remains an exclusive VP recording artist. VP Records aims to establish and maintain strong working relationships with all of our artistes and endeavour to release the best possible product.”
With VP not allowing him to go, his advises new artists who wish to get in business with the support of a record labels:
“It would be better off to go independent but at the same time you’re gonna be entering the markets of these big giants. The only reason they can stay on top is by whatever they do to stay on top, whatever means necessary”, he says.
“They won’t allow you to go too far as an independent artist, you can but it will take you an arm and a leg, the singer reflects.
It is a practice in the music industry for labels to command the lion’s share of the masters in exchange for an advance and artists must settle their obligation so that labels can recoup.
“What these youngsters must do, they must really have a lawyer upfront whenever these contracts are being signed,” he says with a certainty on his voice.
“A lot of us as artists we just go sign and there is nobody representable when we go sign, “ he says while recalling whether he had used lawyers to sign his contracts.
Without his master ownership Gyptian still enjoys the uplands of platinum record sales and he knows where the money resides in music for an artist.
“Throughout all of my life, my publishing is my greatest accomplishment”
This article has been adjusted to reflect the correct certification. It previously stated incorrectly that the song “Hold You” was carried Gold in the US.
