Gyptian

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

Gyptian
Birth name	Windel Beneto Edwards
Born	(1983-10-25) October 25, 1983
Origin	Kingston, Jamaica
Genres	Reggae, Roots reggae, Lovers rock, Reggae fusion
Occupations	Singer
Years active	2003–present
Labels	Real Lyfe Music Productions So So Def Recordings
Website	gyptian.com

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

Gyptian best known hits include Hold Yuh, Nah Let Go, Wine Slow, Serious Times, Mama, Beautiful Lady, I Can Feel Your Pain, Love Against The Wall and She's My Lady

Early life

Born to a Seventh-day Adventist mother and Rastafarian father, Edwards received his musical calling at the age of seven, when he began singing in the church. 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."^{[citation needed]}

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

2010 & 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 on the Billboard Heatseekers Songs Chart and had been at the top of the Reggae Digital Songs chart for nine consecutive weeks.

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. In Canada it peaked at #69 on the Canadian Hot 100. The official remix for the song features rapper Nicki Minaj. 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 album Hold Yuh, 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 November 7 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 includes three tracks from his forthcoming Sex, Love & Reggae album, which is due for release in 2013.

Artistry

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

Personal life

Gyptian is currently single and is living in Jamaica. On June 8, 2010, he crashed his motorbike and sustained minor head and shoulder injuries.

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

Discography

Year	Album details	Peak chart positions
		US	US R&B	US Heat	US Reggae
2006	My Name Is Gyptian Released: 18 September 2006 Label: VP Records Genre: Reggae music	—	—	—	13
2008	I Can Feel Your Pain Released: 3 November 2008 Label: VP Records Genre: Reggae music	—	—	—	4
2010	Revelations Released: 8 June 2010 Label: Flava Mcgregor Rec Genre: Reggae music	—	—	—	—
	Hold You Released: 19 July 2010 Label: VP Records Genre: Reggae music	186	34	6	2

EPs

• SLR (2012), VP

Singles

Year	Title	Peak chart positions					Certifications	Album
		BEL (FL)	CAN	FRA	US R&B	UK			US
2010	"Hold You"	31	69	45	31	16	77		Hold You
2011	"Nah Let Go"	—	—	—	—	—	—

Featured Singles

- Mr. Vegas (featuring Teairra Mari & Gyptian) - "Pum Pum Shorts"

- Mary J. Blige (featuring Busta Rhymes and Gyptian) - "Anything You Want" (Japanese edition Wal-Mart bonus tracks & Australian edition iTunes Store bonus tracks) of album "My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1)"

- Junior X (featuring Gyptian) - "Destiny"

See also

• Reggae
• Reggae fusion
• Bob Marley

External links

• Official website
• Article about Gyptian in the Jamaica Star