Gyptain best known hits include Serious Times, Mama, Beautiful Lady, I Can Feel Your Pain, Love Against The Wall, Hold You and She's My Lady.
Born to a Seventh-day Adventist mother and Rastafarian father, Gyptian received his musical calling at the age of seven, when he began singing in the church. Recognizing his talent, his parents introduced him to Mr. Wong, a record producer from Portmore, St. Catherine. "I did not take it seriously," said Gyptian "My family members have always been carrying me to Portmore to see him, but I usually disappear. One day, they dropped me off at his studio and left me and it all began there."
Under the guidance of Mr. Wong and Earl Chinna Smith, Gyptian honed his sound, winning the 2004 Star Search talent competition at Kens Wild Flower Lounge in Portmore, earning him a spot at Sting 2004, dubbed the 'greatest one night reggae show on earth'.
The singer earned his nickname from his habit of tying a shirt around his head and twisting his chin hair like an Egyptian pharaoh.
In 2005 he scored two hits, "Is There A Place" on the Seasons Riddim and "Serious Times".
Nominated for Best New Entertainer at the 2006 International Reggae and World Music Awards, the twenty-three year old singer has been dominating the Jamaician charts with hits including "Is There a Place", "Beautiful Lady", and the chart-topping ballad, "Mama, Don't Cry".
His style of reggae music is considered lovers rock and roots reggae, with songs about political issues and love. His musical and lyrical style has been compared to established Jamaican artists, such as Sizzla, Luciano and Beres Hammond.
On 12 September 2006, Gyptian released his first album on VP Records. On 12 December 2007, Gyptian, while in New York, shot the music video for his new single, "I Can Feel Your Pain" (Cloud Nine Riddim) Produced by Jon FX. The song was the first to be confirmed to appear on his album "I Can Feel Your Pain" which was released in 2008.
As of the end of May 2010, his single "Hold Yuh" had peaked at number 91 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 33 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Chart, number 6 on the Billboard Heatseekers Songs Chart and had been at the top of the Reggae Digital Songs chart for nine consecutive weeks. In June, the song re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 and eventually reached a new peak of 77 on that chart, number 3 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, capitalizing it crossover success. The song also peaked at number 1 on the Dancehall/Reggae fusion Charts of the Jamaica Weekly Music Charts for two consecutive weeks. In Canada it peaked at #69 on the Canadian Hot 100. The official remix for the song features rapper Nicki Minaj. It spent 29 weeks on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Chart and 15 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100.
Gyptian has been enjoying chart success with his new album, Hold Yuh, which continues to hold the #2 spot on Billboardβs Reggae Albums Chart. The title track, βHold Yuh,β has become a multi-chart hit worldwide and deemed a β2010 Summer Anthem.β According to Billboard Magazine βnot since Wayne Wonder's "No Letting Go," has an underground reggae artist garnered as much attention in the United States as Jamaica's own Gyptian.β The song also became popular in the UK, and was released there on November 7 by Ministry of Sound Recordings, in an EP which will include remixes by Shy FX, Major Lazer and Toddla T.
Ma Ma
Gyptian Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mama don't cry,
Mama don't cry don't cry
Mama don't cry no more, Oh better days are there for sure
Wipe those tears from your eyes
I will bear the hunger, we poor
I will bear the hunger, we poor
Mama, there's so many times we go through days without food to eat
Mama, there's so many nights we sleep in a bundle like a flock of sheep
Mama, I know what it feels like to have a holey shoes on my feet
So mama don't cry, cause I know
I'm gonna make your bitter turn sweet.
Mama don't cry no more
Oh, better days are there for sure
Wipe those tears from your eyes
Oh I will bear the hunger, we poor
(Mama don't cry)
I admire the time you stood by me through all of the bad times
Mama, scold me when I done wrong and said
'Gyptian, don't want you to travel in the wrong direction.'
I wish every mother in the world was just like you
Your loving is so kind, Oh yes my Mama
Your loving is so true
So Mama don't cry no more, Oh better days are there for sure
Wipe those tears from your eyes
I will bear the hunger, we poor
I will bear the hunger, we poor
There's so many times we go through days without food to eat
Mama, there's so many nights we sleep in a bundle like a flock of sheep
Mama, I know what it feels like to have a holey shoes on her feet
Mama don't cry, cos I know, I know
I'm gonna make your bitter sweet
Mama don't cry no more
Oh better days, better days are there for sure
Wipe those tears from your eyes, ooh
Mama don't cry no more (Cry no more)
Wipe those tears from your eyes
(Wipe those tears from you eyes)
Mama you are, the one, that make me to become the man I am today
Mama you are the one, you showed me sometimes
The sky is blue and sometimes gray
Mama you are, I cant find words to say
But I know that you are the one to give me true loving everyday
So Mama don't cry no more, Oh better days are there for sure
Wipe those tears from your eyes
I will bear the hunger, though we poor
Mama don't cry no more, Oh better days are there for sure
Wipe those tears from your eyes
I will bear the hunger, we poor
So many times we go through days without food, to eat
Gyptian's song, "Ma Ma," is a heartwarming ode to the artist's mother. The lyrics are a declaration of love and gratitude to his mother for all the sacrifices she made while raising him. Gyptian recognizes the hardships that his mother went through and empathizes with her, acknowledging her struggles and pain. He reassures her that better days are ahead and that he will do whatever it takes to provide for her.
The verse, "Mama don't cry, cause I know I'm gonna make your bitter turn sweet," reveals Gyptian's hope for a brighter future for his mother. He is promising to work hard and overcome their current struggles to give her a better life. He also acknowledges the sacrifices his mother has made for him, reflecting on her unconditional love and support. Gyptian praises her for being his guiding light, scolding him when he needs it and showing him the way when he is lost.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh yeah, na na na na yea, oh Mama,
Gyptian starts the song by calling out to his mother and expressing his love for her.
Mama don't cry,
Gyptian's mother is frequently upset and crying, and he urges her not to cry anymore.
Mama don't cry no more, Oh better days are there for sure
Gyptian reassures his mother that their situation will improve and that good times are ahead.
Wipe those tears from your eyes
Gyptian encourages his mother to stop crying and to try to be happy.
I will bear the hunger, we poor
Gyptian promises to take care of himself and his family, even though they are poor and often go hungry.
Mama, there's so many times we go through days without food to eat
Gyptian highlights how often they go without food, which causes his mother to cry.
Mama, there's so many nights we sleep in a bundle like a flock of sheep
Gyptian describes how they sleep together in one bed, huddled up closely together like a flock of sheep.
Mama, I know what it feels like to have a holey shoes on my feet
Gyptian has experienced not having proper shoes, and he wants his mother to know that he understands their difficult situation.
I admire the time you stood by me through all of the bad times
Gyptian expresses his gratitude and admiration for his mother being there for him through the tough times.
Mama, scold me when I done wrong and said 'Gyptian, don't want you to travel in the wrong direction.'
Gyptian remembers his mother guiding him and giving him advice, even if it meant scolding him at times.
I wish every mother in the world was just like you
Gyptian admires his mother so much that he wishes all mothers were like her.
Your loving is so kind, Oh yes my Mama
Your loving is so true
Gyptian loves his mother's kind and faithful nature.
Mama you are, the one, that make me to become the man I am today
Gyptian recognizes that his mother played a big part in shaping who he is today as a person.
Mama you are the one, you showed me sometimes The sky is blue and sometimes gray
Gyptian remembers his mother teaching him about the ups and downs of life, which includes both sunny and grey days.
Mama you are, I cant find words to say
But I know that you are the one to give me true loving everyday
Gyptian struggles to put into words how much he loves his mother, but he knows she always gives him true love every day.
Lyrics Β© TuneCore Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: O'NEIL NORMAN BRYAN, STEVEN VENTURA, MOSES DAVIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@doreenjackson9706
Gyptian is one of the most unique artists out of Jamaica, sing some great songs . I pray guidance and protection over your life Gyptian. A very talented artist that I will always love , respect and support . Keep up the positive work that you doing. Love always Mama Doreen.
@abubacarrcamara7162
Really
@ashanamcintyre2107
Happy Motherβs Day β€β€β€ 18yrs without you MaMa
@taynaleegriffiths5151
Gyptian is a legend!! frm i was small i love listening to your song!!! i grow up with these song and felt like i can be anyting i want to be AND I FELT LIKE i WAS DESTINE FOR GREATNESS!!! now I'm eighteen and although i love young music ...i still listen to ur songS... these songs are much MORE pure and loving. Honestly this is what the world need now LOVE!!!
@donaldateng6103
My favorite song from Gyptian can listen over and over repeatedly for a year.
@godfreynganga1366
We never how our parents are important till we listen to such great words like this
@nestorthompson5918
when ur mother is ur backbone!!!!!!!!!!!! thank god for her. Here giving sympathy to a friend who lost his mother a few days ago. Big UP o all the good mothers
@jt_mastermindtv1669
These older artist really beat all the odds and set Jamaican music ππΏππ½you can even hear the wind in the background of this song
@delyannalavinier6883
I'll never stop loving this song
@skgachegu1221
since back in the days still recognizing mama, wherever you are thanks mama