Wayne Wonder Still Not Letting Go

Although dancehall Reggae deejays must be lyrically tough, unleashing rapid-fire guns in the ghetto rhymes and inflated sexual boastings, dancehall singers can attain great popularity sensitively cooing about a new found love, melodically lamenting a love gone wrong and emotionally conveying other tender concerns.

The sensual, honeyed vocals of Wayne Wonder have made him a consistent hit maker since the late ‘80s. In 2002, Wayne earned the first #1 hit of his career pledging a lifetime of devotion on the sweetly romantic hit No Letting Go. “This is the biggest hit of my lifetime,” Wayne exclaims. “The song is #1 in Jamaica, #1 in New York. WBLS is playing it, Kiss is playing it, I hear Hot 97 playing it. I’m grateful and I feel blessed.”

Around 1989, Wayne began collaborating with his childhood friend Dave Kelly. At the time, Kelly was an engineer for Donovan Germaine’s Penthouse Records, the label synonymous with Dancehall Reggae hits of the late 80s/early 90s.

Together Wayne and Dave created a steady stream of successful Penthouse tunes including I’m Only Human, Baby You and I and Saddest Day (which Wayne re-recorded in combination with Foxy Brown on her 2001 Def Jam Records Broken Silence CD). Wayne became well known for his 1991 cover version of the late Jamaican singer Delroy Wilson’s I Don’t Know Why re-titled Movie Star.

The same song in combination with Buju Banton (whom Wayne brought to Penthouse Records) Bona Fide Love proved to be a huge success as well, remaining a heavily requested tune even today. Although Wayne earned a number of hits with Penthouse, in 1993 he pledged he would only record original material. “From that time, I haven’t covered a song, everything is all original music,” declares Wayne who has co-written hits for other artists including Buju Banton’s Deportees and Murderer. “I don’t feel proud if I cannot sing my songs, it’s a different feel that it gives you than singing someone else’s song. How can I be touring and singing other peoples songs? I supposed to be touring and singing my songs!”

Wayne and Dave Kelly continued their successful musical relationship when Kelly founded his own Madhouse and Xtra Large labels. Wayne recorded many hits for Madhouse spanning the mid to late 90’s, including Joyride, Bashment Gal, and Keep Them Coming. Wayne introduced an extra dimension with Let Your Conscience Set You Free recorded in combination with his alter ego, deejay Surprize.

Wayne launched his own record label Singso in 2000 and has released singles by several artists including Baby Cham, Alley Cat, Frankie Sly, and Mr. Easy. However, it was Steve "Lenky" Marsden, the multitalented musician and producer, whose hypnotic Diwali rhythm track supported Wayne’s sweet serenading sending him all the way to number one on the charts with the hit No Letting Go.

Last September he released his 11th studio album Foreva on VP Records which included the Don Corleon produced hit I Still Believe. Wayne’s tour of Japan begins on August 12 and will stop in Yokohoma to do Mighty Crown’s birthday party on August 16. He is set to release his 12th studio album in September.


The Reggae News Agency

www.riddimjamaica.net | www.riddimja.com