Photo: MTV Iggy
A Gyptian Phone in the Works??
Very quietly, like a theif in the night, Jamaican reggae star and 2010 Soul Train Best Reggae Artist Gyptian (aka the Sexy Ras!) has been steadily increasing his international presence. Most recently, Gyptian has been thrown into the ring of ten finalists for MTV Iggy’s ‘2011 Best Band in the World”.(today is the last day of voting)
There are no other Caribbeans and only one other person of color nominated so this is quite an achievement!!! Gyptian was in New York recently working on his upcoming fourth album. MTV Iggy caught up with the reggae crooner in New York for an interview….
Hows the album going?
A lot of work is going on now towards the album. Were in the studio everyday if were not on the road. And even on the road, were trying to write songs.
How many songs are you recording in the United States and how many are you recording in Jamaica?
Were recording [around] the whole wide world, some in Europe. Whatever vibes here, whatever vibes there. We go off of vibestheres not really an amount.
Can you tell us about any of the songs youre working on?
We have Royal Lovethats the single were going to put out there, a pretty smooth song. Its about love and affection and feeling.
Is it more of a roots vibe like the first album?
A little bit. Its all based on being a reggae album.
Can you tell us about any collaborations that you might be doing?
A lot of people in the pipeline, but nothing concrete as yet. People have approached me but nothings confirmed. Its too soon.
Hold Yuh was a huge song in the States. It got remixed by everyone from Nicki Minaj to Toddla T. Is there a remix that is your favorite?
Everyone is doing their thing. Congrats to everyone and most of all to me. Im the one that had a song that everyone wanted to do a remix on![laughs]
Was there one that you liked the most?
I liked all of them. Nicki, Glimpse, everyone.
What song is your favorite from everything youve done so far?
I mean..[long pause]Each song I do is unique to me. If I picked one, Id be cheating on the others. Its like a mother and daddy and their children. You cant love one more. Theyre like my kids.
In a 2010 interview with Afrofusion Lounge, youd just come back from a tour in Senegal and Kenya. You talked about wanting to go back and work with African artists, specifically with Sierra Leone star Bunny Mack. Did you get a chance?
I didnt get a chance, but I still want to. Id even like to work with Tuface. African Queen is a pretty song. Nice, nice song, that one. I dont know many names, but there are a lot [of African artists and songs] I like.
We talked to Tiken Jah Fakoly recently about reggae in Africa. He talked about how its never going to be the same as reggae from Jamaica. What do you think of reggae in Africa?
Theyre doing reggae in Africa? Well, pretty much, its the music. Thats their feel. For me, its an overwhelming thingbecause Peter Tosh once said hed like [reggae music] to take over the globe. Peter Toshs words are really coming to pass.People in Africa are our ancestors. As Jamaicans, our backgrounds are from Africa. So for our music to be there Its come full circleYeah. They are our brothers.
What are you listening to these days?
A variety of music. I listen to hip hop. I listen to soul. I was listening to some jazz and blues last nightit put me to bed. I listen to the soca, calypsoIm just a music lover.
Which artists do you listen to? Whose cds?
I like a lot of mixtapes. But when Im listening to albums, I listen to older singers like Gregory Isaacs, Ken Boothe and Beres Hammond. I also listen to songs on the radio.
Youre in our Best New Band contest for MTV Iggy. Are you familiar with any of the other artists?
It could be. Ive seen a lot of upcoming artists. Quite a few of them Ive seen around. I like all of them because theyre all stars. Theyre all stars and entertainers, big actswere all in the same field. (that Gyptian…so humble!)
Do you think anyone in particular might win?
Well, I mean, anything is possible. Anything is possible.
Youve been compared to Wayne Wonder a lot in the States. Do you agree with that comparison?
I cant say I dont like it, because I see it as a good sign. Its a way of publicity. Wayne Wonder has been around for some time. Hes a great act, good entertainer and a good person. [So a comparison] thats not a bad thing.
Did you ever want to work with him? Have you ever met him?
Yeah, but Wayne Wonder and I cant work like that because the two of us dont really get the time.
No Letting Go was a huge crossover success here. Vybz Kartel received mainstream recognition in the US once he started working with Dre Skull, a Brooklyn producer who hadnt worked with dancehall artists until then. Any unexpected producers that youd like to work with?
A lot of talented producers here [in the U.S.]. I just want to get to the big shots.
Who are the big shots youd want to work with?
DJ Khaled. Ive always wanted to work with Timbaland. Ive always admired his drive.
Lots of rumors about this, so would you want to set the record straight on what was happening in Jamaica when you were taken in for questioning?
I wasnt taken in!
Gyptian recording in Queens, NY. Photo: MTV Iggy
Well, see thats why we thought you might want to set the record straight
I wasnt taken in or wanted or anything like that. If I was on the wanted list, I couldnt be here doing this interview. I wasnt taken in. Rumors will be rumors. Once youre an entertainerThats something you learn when youre coming up.
There were so many rumors flying around, especially since Vybz Kartel was arrested. Do you have any comments on his trial?
I just want the best for him, you know? The musics better like that soI hope the best for him.
Youve been known as a ladies man for a really long time. What do you find sexy?
I find independence, a woman with her own mindindependence is very sexy.Pretty much, I like it like that. [Laughs] It is as it is.
You got your name, Gyptian, from wrapping your shirt around your head and people thought you looked like a pharaoh. Is there another connection to Egypt?
Nothing like that. I got the name Gyptian from sitting under a tree just as we are now [laughs].You know? Thats how the name Gyptian came about. I was sitting beneath a tree with a shirt wrapped around my head. At the time I had my first hit, Serious Times, my first hit. The song was played and nobody knew the name of the artist. Im under the tree and someone came and thought I looked Egyptian.
I didnt have the name until someone came and said, for real man, Egyptian, man. A whole lot of names came from that Gyppy this Gyppy that. And thats how Gyptian came about. It wasnt something that we planned. Didnt research it or anything. It stuck.
Did you like it at first?
In Jamaica you get a nickname and you have to like it! Ive embraced it. Its like that. It was a new name, I nurtured it. Now look at it.
Gyptian. Photo: MTV Iggy
Is there anything you want your fans to know about the new album?
It wont be like the third, it wont be like the second or it wont be like the first. Its the fourth albumall these songs are real. I just want fans to keep on loving and believing in Gyptian. Itll have an authentic feel.
Are you thinking of branching out and doing other things?
Yeaahh! Look out for the Gyptian phone company.
Really?
Yeah, naturally. A cell phone brand. A Gyptian phone.
A Gyptian brand phone? Is that in partnership with
Yeah pretty much so. But Ill have everything signed in inkthats just a little info, Gyptian info. [laughs]
SOURCE: MTV Iggy
