Gyptian Talks New EP ‘Guarded’

Reggae/Dancehall artist Gyptian is pleased with the response to his Guarded EP, his first album project in over a decade.

“The response has been incredible so far, people are really responding to the songs especially the track, My Woman,” Gyptian told DancehallMag.

The EP was released via Silverbirds Records and VPAL Music on July 26.

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

“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.

“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 prodigy from the garrison, greatness comes from within and the contrast between our two styles creates a unique blend for this song,” he said.

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

In 2010, the global impact of Hold You launched Gyptian to international fame, transforming him from a modestly followed artist into a reggae sensation. It spent an impressive 15 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 77, and 19 weeks on the UK Singles Chart, where it peaked at No. 16.

Earlier this year, the song was certified 2X Platinum in the UK, after it surpassed 1.2 million units in sales and streams.

The Jamaican artist, known for his smooth voice and poignant messages, has racked up millions of streams on songs such as Serious Times, Wine Slow, Nah Let Go, and Beautiful Lady.

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 2 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.