Gyptian (aka Windel Beneto Edwards) – His blessings don’t stop because he doesn’t stop giving

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

His smooth voice, catchy melodies, and meaningful lyrics make his music resonate with fans all over the world, and once you hear him, it is impossible to unhear him.

Gyptian, born Windel Beneto Edwards, is a highly talented Jamaican roots reggae artist who has been making waves in the music industry since the mid-2000s. Nicknamed from his habit of tying a shirt around his head and twisting his chin hair like an Egyptian pharaoh, the gifted, and conscious singer is very protective of keeping his sound 100% Gyptian.

Now, two decades into his career, Gyptian is armed with a compilation of hits and continues to innovate, building off classic roots, reggae and dancehall foundations. His catalogue has never lacked originality and has always been refreshingly absent of overt slackness and misogyny that seems to dominate reggae music these days.

Yes, one of the main reasons that Gyptian is our Classic Man this edition is because of his recent singles “Only Room for Two” and “Hot Gyal Walk Out,” that were released on May 19^th, 2023, but we are going to get back to that.

Windel Beneto Edwards grew up in King Weston District, a hamlet that rises out of the mountains beyond Kingston. He was born on October 25^th, to a Seventh Day Adventist mother and Rastafarian father. Gyptian will tell you that he received his musical calling at the age of seven, when he began singing in the church. Realizing his talent, his parents introduced him to talent scout and producer Ravin Wong, who became a mentor to the young artist.

Working alongside Mr. Wong and the legendary guitarist Earl “Chinna” Smith, Gyptian honed his sound at shows and in the studio. In 2005, he scored two hits with “Is There a Place” and “Serious Times,” songs that introduced him as one of the most promising roots reggae voices to emerge in the new century. Since then, the melodic crooner has captured listeners with the smoothness of his voice and the urgency of his message.

He was nominated for Best New Entertainer at the 2006 International Reggae and World Music Awards, and by then, the twenty-three-year-old velvet-voiced singer had been dominating the charts with a slew of hit singles.

His ambitions broadened and he dominated the local charts the following year with “Mama (Don’t Cry)” and “Beautiful Lady.” All four songs ended up on his debut album, “My Name is Gyptian.” His 2008 follow-up, “I Can Feel Your Pain,” also made a splash.

In 2010, the global grip of “Hold You” returned reggae to the world stage. Gyptian had built a modest following prior to the song’s March release, and by the summer, he had millions dancing and singing along. His native Jamaica, of course, had seen his potential for years. The song began bubbling up in Trinidad before taking listeners in New York by storm.

Then there was the Nicki Minaj remix.

The track’s infectious beat, catchy melodies, and sultry lyrics swept over clubs, airwaves, and block parties across the world, claiming the title of global summer blockbuster, and earned Gyptian the “Best Reggae Artist” award at the MOBO Awards in the U.K. It climbed to #77 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was eventually certified Gold in the U.S.

The legacy of “Hold You” lives on: Pitchfork named it No. 49 on its “200 Best Songs of the 2010s list,” and ELLE listed it among the 52 defining songs of the last decade.

Never one to settle on one sound, Gyptian continued to pioneer his reggae fusion style, scoring hits with tracks such as “Wine Slow,” “Non Stop,” “Nah Let Go” and “All on Me.” His cornucopia of diverse tracks helped drive the artist’s streaming numbers into the hundreds of millions.

The singer and songwriter has stayed busy with recording and performing, adding to his catalogue with the recent releases “Only Room for Two” and “Hot Gyal Walk Out,” the lead singles from his upcoming album, and his first release from VP Records since 2013’s “Sex, Love, and Reggae.” The split video directed by Dameon Gayle of Warrior Films JA, caught me completely off guard, and when I sat down with Gyptian, I of course had questions for him.

“Where did this ingenious idea come from,” I queried. “It was like it was from two different minds. One moment you are about the one beautiful girl, and then boom: girls everywhere! I loved it; it is like leading a double lifestyle.”

“This track is a different side of me, a new vibe. It’s all about showing the world that I’m versatile, because there are not many artists that can do what I do. My contribution as an artist has always come from a real and authentic place. I stress ‘real’ because every song was taken from not only my experiences, but also from those around me.

Being true and relatable is and was my mission from the start, something that music has been lacking. Music is next to God; you can play a song from any artist and it can completely change your mood.

It is sad to say that music nowadays has no message; there is no substance. The message that is there is gone. Our music is not where it is supposed to be; the message is so negative. My music is meant to make you think, laugh, party, and of course make love. This album is all about love. As humans, we’re all connected. Music transcends many things, and it is an honour to serve as an ambassador, because music is life”.

Gyptian’s album is coming out soon, and fans can look forward to an active performing schedule, with upcoming show dates in: Miami, Brooklyn, and Atlanta.

I want to end this feature with a side of Gyptian that people don’t see, but truly speaks to his character. He is an individual who actively seeks to promote the welfare of others through charitable acts and contributions. He donates his resources (money, property, time) to support and improve various aspects of his community. He is driven by a genuine desire to make a positive difference in the world, and he is passionate about specific causes and works towards addressing the root causes of social issues, rather than simply providing temporary relief.

Prior to the pandemic, he was giving and generous with his funds. He has devoted his time to support children with disabilities, and during back-to-school time, he donates backpacks to students across Jamaica

By combining the power of music with the altruistic intentions of philanthropy, Gyptian has leveraged his resources, influence, and creativity to make a positive impact on society and the world. The intersectionality of music and philanthropy has offered a platform for Gyptian to join forces and contribute to causes that resonate with him, ultimately fostering social change and improving the lives of many.

The people will speak for him. His blessings don’t stop because he doesn’t stop giving.