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.