Music >> Artists >> Reggae
Birth Name:
Von Wayne Charles

Genre:
Reggae

Years Active:
'80s, '90s, '00s, '10s






Wayne Wonder

Biography

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.

Top Albums


1. No Holding B..
Foreva, Wayne Wonder
2. Foreva
Collectors Series: Wayne Wonder, Wayne Wonder
3. Collectors S..
If I Ever - EP, Wayne Wonder
4. If I Ever - ..
No Holding Back, Wayne Wonder
5. No Holding B..
Gonna Love You (EP), Wayne Wonder
6. Gonna Love Y..
My Way, Wayne Wonder
7. My Way
Don't Have To, Wayne Wonder
8. Don't Have T..
Penthouse Flashback - Buju Banton & Wayne Wonder, Buju Banton
9. Penthouse Fl..
Foreva, Wayne Wonder
10. Foreva
Again - Single, Wayne Wonder
11. Again - Sing..
Da Vibe, Wayne Wonder
12. Da Vibe
All Original Boomshell, Wayne Wonder
13. All Original..
You Me and She, Wayne Wonder
14. You Me and S..
Wayne Wonder & Sanchez Pt. 2, Wayne Wonder
15. Wayne Wonder..
Black Label Reggae (Volume 28), Wayne Wonder
16. Black Label ..
Don't Have To, Wayne Wonder
17. Don't Have T..
Schizophrenic, Wayne Wonder
18. Schizophreni..
Wanye Wonder, Wayne Wonder
19. Wanye Wonder
Inna Bashment Style – The Roots of an Urban Warrior, Wayne Wonder
20. Inna Bashmen..

Top Songs

NameAlbumTimePrice
1.
No Letting GoNo Holding Back3:22$1.29
2.
No Letting GoAsafa Powell: Train for Spe..3:21$0.99
3.
Hold Me Now50 First Dates (Love Songs ..4:12$0.99
4.
No Letting GoNo Holding Back3:22$0.99
5.
Saddest DayDancehall 101, Vol. 23:40$0.99
6.
No Letting Go (feat. Dutchess)Reggae Gold 20033:16$0.99
7.
Saddest DayNo Holding Back3:43$0.99
8.
Enemies (feat. Surpriz)No Holding Back4:18$0.99
9.
Perfect ProposalNo Holding Back4:32$0.99
10.
Slowly But SurelyNo Holding Back3:46$0.99
11.
Mood Is RightNo Holding Back3:46$0.99
12.
My Kinda LadyNo Holding Back4:24$0.99
13.
Close Your EyesNo Holding Back4:49$0.99
14.
DefinitelyNo Holding Back3:49$0.99
15.
Crazy Feeling (feat. Elephant Man)No Holding Back3:33$0.99
16.
Glad You Came My WayNo Holding Back3:19$0.99
17.
Nobody But MeNo Holding Back4:17$0.99
18.
Friend Like MeNo Holding Back4:07$0.99
19.
IntroNo Holding Back0:52$0.99
20.
Piece a Da PiePiece a Da Pie - Single4:01$0.99
21.
Saddest DayReggae Anthology: Penthouse..3:42$0.99
22.
Hour GlassHour Glass - Single4:05$0.99
23.
Saddest DayNo Holding Back3:43$1.29
24.
Metal & Steel (feat. Demo & ..No Holding Back4:14$1.29
25.
Enemies (feat. Surpriz)No Holding Back4:18$1.29

Top Music Videos

Dance, Caribbean Connection, Angel y Khriz & Wayne Wonder
1. Dance
Again, Wayne Wonder
2. Again


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