“Hold You” (Hold Yuh) by Gyptian, released July 16, 2010 has been Britcertified 2x Platinum in the U.K.
The certification was issued on April 19, 2024 for sales and streams surpassing 1,200,000 units in the country with data measured by the Official Charts Company. It is his first song to reach the milestone.
“Hold You,” released by VP Records has surpassed 132 million views on YouTube and 200 million streams on Spotify.
In an interview with WMV the Portmore singer reminisced about his early days as a performer, recalling times when he couldn’t see the crowd because his eyes were closed. Unlike many Jamaican boys with dreams of stardom, he initially didn’t take his talent seriously until his persistent parents nudged him into the studio, setting him on a path to fame with his first album, “My Name Is Gyptian,” released by VP Records in 2004.
His breakthrough came with the single “I Can Feel Your Pain” in 2007, followed by “Hold You” three years later, which propelled him to international recognition and a remix by Nicki Minaj. Despite achieving platinum status, he remains modest, emphasizing his focus on entertaining and bringing joy through music rather than chasing labels or genres.
While he acknowledges the changing landscape of the music industry and respects the efforts of the new generation of artists, he advises newcomers to be wary of record labels and emphasizes the importance of legal representation when signing contracts.
“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.
Without his master ownership Gyptian say he still enjoys his career and he knows where the money resides in music as he reflects on his own experiences, and the significance of owning one’s publishing rights.
“Throughout all of my life, my publishing is my greatest accomplishment” he stated. “What these youngsters must do, they must really have a lawyer upfront whenever these contracts are being signed.”
