Reggae and R&B legend Maxi Priest has scored another career milestone as his classic hit “Close to You” has officially been certified Silver in the United Kingdom by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), recognizing more than 200,000 certified units in the market.
Originally released in 1990, “Close to You” became Priest’s biggest international crossover hit, blending reggae with pop and R&B to create a timeless sound that resonated with audiences around the world. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, making Maxi Priest the first British-born artist to achieve that feat with a reggae-influenced single.
The record received widespread praise from critics upon its release. AllMusic described it as “more pop/R&B with a reggae touch,” while Music & Media praised its “nice melody” and Priest’s smooth vocal performance. Music Week also highlighted its commercial appeal, noting its strong melodic focus and dancefloor-ready rhythm.
Preist is now one of two British reggae acts to go No. 1 on the Hot 100. In an interview with World Music Views Preist told WMV that the difference between then and now was, “the business has changed, there is a lot fo digital. it is difficult to sum it up in words as to what is happening, just that time that we are going through right now.”
“You have to be on social media lot, we will figure it out soon,” he added.
Th song written by Priest with Gary Benson and Winston Sela, and produced by Handel Tucker, Geoffrey Chung and Lowell “Sly” Dunbar also peaked at No. 2 on the Australian chart.
The song also reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, while also peaking at No. 2 in Australia, New Zealand, Greece and Sweden. It climbed to No. 4 in Germany and the Netherlands, No. 6 in Canada, and No. 7 on the UK Singles Chart, in addition to charting across Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, France and several other European markets. In the United States, the song also reached No. 2 on the Hot R&B Singles chart, No. 9 on the 12-inch Singles Sales chart, and No. 12 on the Dance Club Play chart.
It remained one of the year’s biggest hits, finishing No. 17 on Billboard’s 1990 year-end Hot 100, while also appearing on year-end charts in Australia, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden and across Europe. The single has earned Gold certifications in the United States, Australia and Sweden, and has now added a Silver certification in the United Kingdom, further cementing its legacy as one of reggae’s most successful crossover classics.
