Wayne Wonder
Dancehall and reggae provided a foundation for Jamaica-born singer Wayne Wonder (born Von Wayne Charles). But his later albums -- Schizophrenic and Da Vibe -- veered further and further toward hip-hop and rap. His collaborations include work with J'son from Soul for Real, Foxy Brown, and Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes from TLC. This resulted in even greater success for Wonder. Five tunes from Da Vibe were in rotation by commercial radio stations throughout the Caribbean.
Born in Franklin Town, a small village near Rae Town in eastern Jamaica, Wonder has been singing most of his life. His mother sang with the choir at the Galilee Gospel Church. Writing his first songs at the age of 13, Wonder launched his career when he accepted an invitation to perform every Wednesday night at Metro Media in Allman Town. Although he impressed Sly Dunbar during an audition at Sonic Sounds, Dunbar's commitment to touring with Black Uhuru prevented him from signing the young singer.
The turning point in Wonder's career came when he met influential producer and record company owner King Tubby. Under Tubby's direction, he recorded his first single, "Long and Lasting Love," in 1985. Tubby's premature death shortly afterward put a damper on Wonder's success. He recalled in a late-'90s interview, "In my bed one morning, I heard the news that they shot him in his yard. An' my head mash up 'cause this was the first producer who embrace me an' decide to work with me."
Although he recorded a few more singles with other producers at Sonic Sounds, Wonder continued to falter. Things began to improve after reconnecting with Dave Kelly, a primary-school friend who had become a much-respected recording engineer. Working together, Wonder and Kelly produced a long series of hit singles, including original songs such as "Saddest Day," "Talk About," "Live and Learn," "Excess Amount," "Glamour Girl," "Sweet and Sour," "Bashment Girl," "Rainbow," "Searching Dem Searching," and "Warm Jamaican Christmas" -- and covers of American pop tunes ("Fast Car" and "Anything for You").
Wonder played an important role in the success of Buju Banton, writing Banton's early hits "Murderer," "Deportee," and "Boom Bye Bye"; recording a duet ("Bonafide Love [Movie Star]"); and touring the world together. When Banton signed with United States-based Mercury Records, his decision to work as a soloist was a severe setback for Wonder. Attempting to resurrect his career, Wonder formed a band, Alias, with each musician performing under a pseudonym. Dave Kelly, for example, was known as the Stranger, Baby Cham became Herman, Frisco Kid became Bops, Frankie Sly became Jake Dem, and Wonder took the name Surprise. As an offshoot of Alias, the Entourage featured Demo Delgado and Showki-Ru and represented the only project in which Wonder played an instrument.
Wonder launched his own record label, Singso, in 2000. Wonder's career exploded globally in 2003 when his album No Holding Back and the single "No Letting Go" were released on major-label Atlantic. The smooth single dominated urban radio in America, and a slew of compilations featuring old Wonder tracks flooded the market. One of the best, Trojan's Inna Bashment Style, was released in 2005. He returned with a new album in 2007, when Foreva climbed into the Top Five on Billboard's Reggae Album chart. Five years later, after leaving the VP label and forming his own Singso imprint, My Way landed with guest appearances from Mya and Shaggy. The album also featured production from Stephen McGregor and the Miami-based team Riddim Fingaz.
© Craig Harris /TiVo
Discografia
65 álbum(ns) • Ordenado por Mais vendidos
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Diwali
Wayne Wonder, Bounty Killer, Beenie Man
Reggae - Lançado por Greensleeves Records em 22/04/2010
Disponível em16-Bit/44.1 kHz Estéreo -
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Collectors Series-Wayne Wonder
Reggae - Lançado por VP RECORDS em 07/09/1999
Disponível em16-Bit/44.1 kHz Estéreo -
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Penthouse Flashback Series (Wayne Wonder) Vol. 1
Reggae - Lançado por Penthouse Records Distributors Ltd em 04/01/2013
Disponível em16-Bit/44.1 kHz Estéreo -
DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH
Ska & Rocksteady - Lançado por Maurice Gregory em 16/04/2021
Disponível em16-Bit/44.1 kHz Estéreo -
Wanye Wonder
Dancehall - Lançado por Penthouse Records Distributors Ltd em 22/02/1999
Disponível em16-Bit/44.1 kHz Estéreo -
All Original Boomshell
Reggae - Lançado por VP RECORDS em 15/08/2006
Disponível em16-Bit/44.1 kHz Estéreo -
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The One (ft Shaggy & Wayne Wonder)
Dj Norie, Shaggy, Wayne Wonder
Dancehall - Lançado por SE Media Group em 01/03/2024
Disponível em16-Bit/44.1 kHz Estéreo -
Combo (Back & Forth)
Dancehall - Lançado por Maximum Sound em 13/01/2023
Disponível em24-Bit/44.1 kHz Estéreo -
One More Chance
Hip-Hop/Rap - Lançado por Pickout em 25/02/2023
Disponível em16-Bit/44.1 kHz Estéreo -
Reggae Generals
Dancehall - Lançado por Reggae Library em 30/08/2024
Disponível em16-Bit/44.1 kHz Estéreo -
I Dont Know Why
Reggae - Lançado por Shhbang Entertainment Records em 10/03/2023
Disponível em24-Bit/44.1 kHz Estéreo -
Da Vibe
Dancehall - Lançado por Madhouse Records em 21/07/2000
Disponível em16-Bit/44.1 kHz Estéreo -
Too Much Lulaa Lay
Miscellaneous - Lançado por Maximum Sound em 10/11/2023
Disponível em16-Bit/44.1 kHz Estéreo -
TUN UP
Ska & Rocksteady - Lançado por SINGSO MUSIC AND MLG RECORDZ em 25/04/2024
Disponível em24-Bit/48 kHz Estéreo -
Party All Night Long
Africa - Lançado por 1 House Records & Kaos Music em 15/04/2022
Disponível em24-Bit/96 kHz Estéreo -
Enjoy Yourself
Dancehall - Lançado por Maximum Sound em 13/01/2023
Disponível em24-Bit/44.1 kHz Estéreo