Gyptian shares his soul on new EP ‘Guarded’

International recording artiste Gyptian released his newest project, the Guarded EP, on July 26 via VPAL Music. The album, released on Silverbirds Records label, debuted at No. 3 on the USA iTunes Reggae Albums chart.

“I’ve been working on this album for two years with one of my main producers, Junior ‘Chambah’ Stevens. We have produced a lot of great tracks, we could hardly choose which tracks to use for the album because they are all great songs. The theme of the album is that in this life, you have to be guarded but not locked away. I am protecting my energy, even while sharing my soul. My guard is up but my music is real,” Gyptian said.

The EP features singles like the lead song, Guarded, My Woman, Together We’re Stronger and Let Me Down, featuring Teebone. The album was co-produced by Dean Barnett and Junior Stevens, the principals of Silverbirds Records.

“A video for Let Me Down was released on Friday as well. The song with Teebone is just showing that this is the new generation and we have to keep the spice, while also giving guidance at this time. We are two prodig ies from the garrison ... greatness comes from within, and the co ntrast between our two styles creates a unique blend for this song,” the reggae singer said.

Gyptian is now in the United Kingdom, where he will be doing six shows in Europe – the Reggae Land Festival, Reggae Rhythm in Wales, Gyptian Live in Liverpool, and the Rotterdam Carnival in Netherlands.

The singer has enjoyed a glorious track record in reggae music. It was in 2010 that the global impact of the single Hold You launched Gyptian to international fame, transforming him from a modestly followed artiste into a reggae sensation. The song eventually reached a peak of number 77 on Billboard Hot 100 chart, number three 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,

By that point, the Jamaican artiste had already built up steady momentum with tracks like Serious Times, showcasing his smooth voice and poignant messages.

Gyptian released his first album My Name Is Gyptian on VP Records in September 2006. His second album, I Can Feel Your Pain, was released in November 2008. Gyptian’s third album, Hold You, reached number two on Billboard’s Reggae Albums Chart in 2010. In October 2012, Gyptian released the SLR EP, which included three tracks from his forthcoming album.

His fourth album, Sex, Love & Reggae, was released in October 2013 and entered the Billboard Top Reggae Albums chart at number one.

Gyptian’s fifth album, Nothing to Lose, was set for release in April 2015, but never got released

Now, two decades into his career, Gyptian continues to innovate, blending classic roots reggae and dancehall with fresh sounds.

“My soul is open to what the universe has in store for me, even though my heart is guarded,” Gyptian joked. “Regardless, you always have to protect your energy.”

entertainment@gleanerjm.com