Gyptian Became the First Jamaican Artist to Sell Over 500,000 Digital Single Downloads in Almost a Decade on Billboard

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

VP Records is proud to announce that Gyptian's hit song "Hold You" has officially reached Gold status according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

The title-track smash off of Gyptian's Billboard Top 200 album is the first song from a Jamaican reggae artist to sell over 500,000 copies in almost a decade.

Gyptian is overjoyed. "Give thanks to everyone who bought my record. I am humbled by the support of my fans and hold this achievement close to my heart," he states.

This milestone places Gyptian among an elite class of Jamaican musicians, as the island has not seen an act earn Gold status on a single since Sean Paul and Damian Marley in 2005.

“This is a proud moment for VP Records and reggae music. We are still breaking records and developing acts,” says Chris Chin, CEO of VP Records.

The timeless anthem, which is still bumping in cars, clubs and on radio to this day, dominated rhythmic radio in 2010, led to a remix from platinum rapper Nicki Minaj and earned Gyptian a Soul Train Award for Best Reggae Artist that same year. The track reached #31 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hop Hop Songs chart. In the UK, “Hold You” climbed to #16 on the Singles chart and earned Gyptian a MOBO award.

Purchase "Hold You" now on iTunes:

New Album Sex,Love and Reggae Slated For 2013 Release

Gyptian's follow-up album to this single and his critically-acclaimed album Hold You is Sex, Love and Reggae. His fifth studio album is scheduled to drop this year on VP Records and will feature all-star production by Diplo, Jerry Wonder, Linton "TJ" White, JusBus, Stanley "Rellee" Hayden, Shane Brown and more. To gear up for Sex, Love and Reggae, Gyptian has been releasing a series of music videos. He has already unleashed visuals for the album's first single "Overtime" (NME premiere), his latest call-to-action song "Wine Slow" (VICE Noisey premiere) and his latest club anthem "Non Stop" (VIBE premiere).

The enigmatic singer also recorded a wicked freestyle with Snoop Lion on Randy's Radio at VP Records retail store in Queens, NY, which received over 80,000 views on its first day on World Star Hip Hop.

 

Copyright 2013 Caribbean E-Magazine All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without credit..

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Nature’s Way Entertainment Inks Deal with VP Records for Compilation Album, Soul Reggae

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Independent label powerhouse Nature’s Way Entertainment has secured distribution with the long-established VP Records for its latest various artistes compilation album, Soul Reggae.

 

This aggressive move will provide Nature’s Way Entertainment with the platform to push its high quality catalogue to traditional reggae listeners in the United States and Europe.  This latest album, Soul Reggae is the fourth album produced and released by Nature’s Way Entertainment. Prior releases include various artiste compilations such as "Real Life", the "Hope Riddim" and the debut album "I Have Got Life" by talented rookie Alva.

"We have been doing our own in-house distribution, but I am pleased with the partnership with VP Records distribution arm and sub-label' VPAL Music, which will allow me to focus on promotion and more production," producer and CEO of Nature’s Way, Garfield ‘Fada G’ Cowan said.

Soul Reggae will be released on May 7, and copies of the physical album will be available at  your favourite music stores and digitally on iTunes, other fine  retailers and at www.vpreggae.com. The production quality is excellent and the album boasts some of the hottest artists fanning the Reggae flames, such as Zamunda, Wayne Wonder, Alva, Busy Signal, Christopher Martin, Chevaughn, Jah Mason, Mr. Melody and more.

Filled with inspirational tunes, the tracks were composed to fit the concept of soul, roots, reality and spirituality. Whether it's emotional love or brotherly love, the message is a positive vibe from track one to fifteen.

Nature’s Way Entertainment flagship artiste is the super-talented Alva. A Spanish Town native, Alva  was raised in Sandy Bay, a small town just South of May Pen, Clarendon.

Nature's Way actually began with the discovery of Alva, who was Fada G’s school mate-turned brother-in-law.  Alva is the label’s flagship artiste and he already has a number of singles released to his credit. Born Oliver Black, Alva hails from St. Ann, and his most recent single and video, ‘12 & 13 (Leave Them Alone)’ is doing very well on local charts.

Alva was the one who first encouraged Fada G to record him and to start his own record label. Within a year, Nature's Way was born and by the following year, Alva’s debut album “I’ve Got Life” was released and has enjoyed heavy rotation on radio in Jamaica, the U.S. and the U.K.

Two videos have been produced for tracks from the album - “St. Anns” and a medley with “Jah Keeps Me Safe And Sound” and “Jah We Pray To”. The videos are currently airing on cable television and enjoying rotation on youtube.

“We are here to stay, we are just making quality music to heal the soul and uplift the heart,” Fada G said.

Other projects include the “Hope Riddim” which was featured on the iTunes front page. Cowan takes great pride in the lyrical content of the songs chosen for the projects, which all compliment the classical reggae vibes of the label’s catalogue and reflects his deep rooted spirituality.

 

 You can find Nature's Way productions at your favourite store or online at major digital distribution outlets. Contact information and bookings: Garfield Cowan Email: natureswayentertainment@gmail.com     web:www.natureswayent.com, Twitter: @natureswayent1, Ph: 954 243 6198.

 

Pre-Order Soul Reggae on itunes: 

 

Copyright 2013 Caribbean E-Magazine All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without credit..

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Reggae Artiste Steele Signs Distribution Deal With VP Records

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Steele

Canada-based reggae artiste Steele has signed a distribution deal with VP Records for his fourth studio album Reality. The 15-track album which was executively produced by Fam Records Fitz Morrison is expected to make deep inroads into the reggae market.

Among the creative genius who took part in the project are Lloyd Campbell, Computer Paul, Sting Ray, Taddy P, Korner Stone Production and Steele’s own  Mobs. 

The 2012 JUNO nominee artiste who has also copped many other Canadian awards is excited about Reality and feels this is one of his best works yet. “As the album title suggests it’s all about everyday livity. There is definitely something for everyone. A few life lessons in songs, lovers’ rock and some smooth grooves,” said the singer about the album which will be available for digital download on September 18 through over 300 reggae digital ports and VP Records retail locations and all leading record stores.

In other news the Steele will be in action at the upcoming Cornwall College Old Boys Association dinner and dance. 

“I’m very proud and honoured to be invited to perform. Cornwall College has definitely created many fun memories for me, when I remember the sometimes fierce football rivalry between Cornwall and my former school Rusea High; those were crazy times, now I laugh about it. More importantly the fact that once again another past student body is giving back to an institution that forged for so many the path to success. It’s truly an honour,” he said of his expected performance.

Born Mark Steele in Lucea, Hanover he has been impacting Canada’s music scene since 1992. Among the many songs he has released over the years are Jah is My Strength, Slave Driver and What’s Wrong Wid Wi.

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