Stevens Muendo

Even after his chart-topping song Mama Don’t Cry became one of the biggest Jamaican hits three years ago, Windel Beneto Edward aka Gyptian’s popularity in Kenya remained dismal compared to that of other top Jamaica stars. The singer had also been nominated for the Best New Entertainer at the 2006 International Reggae and World Music Awards. Gyptian, 25, is now, arguably, one of Jamaica’s fastest rising stars churning hit after hit. The singer’s Is there a Place (2005) is considered one of Jamaica’s greatest hits. The track Serious Times was rated by critics as The Best Reggae Song in 2005 beating Damian Marley’s, Welcome To Jamrock.

Gyptian arrived in the country on Wednesday for a series of concerts courtesy to Jamroo Entertainment in conjunction with DS Njoroge.

The two-weeks tour will see Gyptian perform tomorrow at the DS Club at Nairobi International Trade Fair and Florida 2000 on Sunday before heading to Mombasa for more shows.

Gyptian is accompanied by UK-based singers Mafia, Fluxy Band and Jamaican DJ Quick Cook.

The 1983-born star has been on a steady rise.

The singer’s nickname, Gyptian was coined from his habit of tying a shirt around his head and twisting his beard like an Egyptian pharaoh.

He has been working to keep his distinct singing style intact since he begun singing at a tender age.

"You have to think about what people think and how they feel. You have to think of the real things that people see. Any track at all you hear from me, right by my fingers out of my head should sound Gyptian," he says

The son of a Seventh Day Adventist mother and Rastafarian father, Gyptian begun singing in church at the age of seven.

"I did not take it seriously," says Gyptian

"My family members had always been carrying me to Portmore to see him, but I always disappeared. One day, they dropped me off at his studio and left me there and that’s how it all begun," says Gyptian remembering how his family members introduced him to Mr Wong, a record producer from Portmore, St. Catherine.

It was there that Gyptian honed his sound, winning the 2004 Star Search talent competition at Kens Wild Flower Lounge in Portmore.

His style of reggae music is lovers rock and roots reggae, with songs about political issues and love. He is in the same style of music of established artistes, such as Sizzla, Luciano and Beres Hammond.

Chartbuster

He earned himself a spot at Sting 2004, dubbed the ‘greatest one night reggae show on earth’.

In 2005 he had two hits, Is There A Place and Serious Times.

But his international breakthrough came in 2005 when his debut single Serious Times topped local and overseas reggae charts. The single defeated Junior Gongs Top Ten Billboard hit Welcome to Jamrock and was declared Jamaica’s Most Important Song of the year.

Since then, the velvet-voiced Gyptian has never looked back. He has been dominating the charts with a slew of hit singles including Is There a Place, Beautiful Lady, and the chart-topping ballad Mama, Don’t Cry.

"At this juncture in my life, I live, eat, and breathe music. The very air that comes from my mouth brings words of power and wisdom. I have the urge to teach my brothers and sisters until eternity," he says

In 2006, Gyptian released his first album on VP Records and later travelled to New York where he shot the video for his 2007 release, I Can Feel Your Pain — a Cloud Nine Riddim.

The single is featured in his self-titled new album Gyptian (I can Feel Your Pain) whose other hits include the new sensation Where is my Baby, No Body No Cry and World is Caving In.

Additional information from the Internet