OLDIES SUNDAY: Gyptian – Serious Times (2005)

With the month of October coming to a close, we’d like to highlight an Artist who made a significant dent when his music crossed over to the International market. A man who didn’t stick to one style, and earned a number of hits along the way. He recently celebrated his 40th birthday, and his name is Gyptian. On today’s Oldies Sunday, we look back at his debut single, “Serious Times“.

Produced by Kenneth Wilson on the “Spiritual War Riddim” and released through the Frenz Label in 2005, Gyptian shared some social commentary on “Serious Times”. The Singjay shares his observations on what’s affecting his community and the rest of the world, offers advice to listeners in their daily navigations, encourages everyone to be more in tune spiritually and socially, and to give thanks for life above ground. With the help of some African-inspired production and his own smooth vocals, “Serious Times” became Gyptian’s first hit. The track was featured on his 2006 debut album “My Name Is Gyptian“, which went on to make an Artist to watch locally, and Internationally. “Serious Times” was covered by a number of Artists, and was performed by a Student Choir during one season of the Jamaican “All Together Sing” High School Choir competition series.

Since the release of “Serious Times”, Gyptian went on to release more music that increased his profile locally, and eventually making him a bigger name overseas. His is still an active Artist, and is instantly recognized for his biggest hit “Hold Yuh”, but many still remember the new Artist in the mid-2000s who stepped out with “Serious Times”.