Wayne Wonder

Biography

Von Wayne Charles (born 26 July 1972), better known by his stage name Wayne Wonder, is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall artist. His most popular single is the 2003 hit "No Letting Go×No Letting Go2003 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1No Letting Go (album version)3:252No Letting Go (alternate mix)3:41".

Early life

Wonder was born in Buff Bay, Portland, Jamaica. He sang in Sunday school as a child, Wayne attended Camperdown High School in eastern Kingston, and began songwriting at the age of 13, getting a major career break when he was given a regular weekly slot at Metro Media in Allman Town.

Auditioning and debut album

He auditioned at Sonic Sounds studio, but while Sly Dunbar was impressed, his touring commitments with Black Uhuru prevented him from signing Wonder. He had more success, however, with King Tubby, who produced his first single, "Long and Lasting Love", in 1985, with two more following. Wonder's career suffered a setback when Tubby was killed in 1989, and he recorded for several other record producers at Sonic Sound, enjoying a further hit with the Lloyd Dennis–produced "It's Over Now", leading to the release of his first album, One More Chance, although his success in this era was limited.

Second album: Part 2 and further releases

His fortunes improved when he began working with Dave Kelly, a friend from primary school, who had become resident sound engineer at Penthouse Studios. The partnership enjoyed a string of hits, starting with "Saddest Day", and they also worked on Wonder's second album, Part 2. His 1990 live performance of Alphaville's "Forever Young" was recorded and later released to Alphaville fans in a limited, cassette-only album entitled History. He toured the UK in 1992 along with other Penthouse stars Marcia Griffiths, Tony Rebel, and Buju Banton. He also recorded "Bonafide Love (Movie Star)" with Buju Banton, and wrote several early hits for him, including the controversial "Boom Bye Bye". He toured again with Banton in 1994 as part of the Penthouse Showcase. Wonder formed the band Alias along with Kelly, Baby Cham, Frisco Kid, and Frankie Sly, and later Entourage.

Record label launch and further album releases

In 2000, Wonder launched his own record label, Singso, and his 2000 album Da Vibe×Da Vibe2000 · Album · CompilationSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Keep Them Coming3:512Watching You3:113Last Night3:424Snitches & Spies4:345Blazing3:026Infromer2:297Let Your Conscience Set You Free2:328Ready to Ride2:569Criss Pack a Boots2:5910The Best2:4211Searching Dem Searching2:3512Rainbow2:5113Joy Ride3:3114Bashment Girl3:33 saw him begin to incorporate hip hop into his sound. He collaborated with several other major artists, including Jason Dalyrimple of Soul for Real, Foxy Brown, and Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, and the move towards hip hop increased with his 2001 album Schizophrenic×Schizophrenic2001 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Sasha3:572Platinum Mall3:423Just Might Squeeze3:354Tragedy3:535I Like the Way3:416Easily Change3:327Who Give U the Right3:568Treat U Right3:409Makes Me Wonder3:5510You Don't Know3:4411Dead Serious4:0512Curious3:3313Mr. Man4:00.

Atlantic Records signing and international recognition

His career really took off internationally when he signed to Atlantic Records, achieving worldwide success with the song "No Letting Go×No Letting Go2003 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1No Letting Go (album version)3:252No Letting Go (alternate mix)3:41" in 2003. The song is based on the Diwali riddim, which was also used by several other artists that year, such as Sean Paul, Lumidee and Missy Elliott. The single reached No. 11 in the US and No. 3 in the UK.
"No Letting Go" and the album No Holding Back×No Holding Back4 March 2003 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 17 tracks1Intro0:532No Letting Go3:223Bounce Along4:504Friend Like Me4:075Nobody But Me4:186Glad You Came My Way3:207Crazy Feeling3:338Definitely3:499Just Another Day4:0210Close Your Eyes4:4911My Kinda Lady4:2512The Mood is Right3:4613Slowly but Surely3:4714Perfect Proposal4:3315Enemies4:1816Metal & Steel4:1517Saddest Day3:41 were a major success on urban radio stations in the US, and this prompted the release of several compilation albums featuring older Wonder material, including Trojan Records' Inna Bashment Style: The Roots Of An Urban Warrior (2005).

Further releases

His album Foreva×Foreva1 January 1997 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1Foreva Intro0:402Again3:103Gonna Love You4:044Original Share My Love4:395For My Love3:486Between the Sheets3:427I Still Believe3:358Hotter Than Fire2:549Exposed3:4010The Way You Love Me3:3611Take It Easy3:3312Love and Affection3:4213Apart4:2514God Bless You Baby4:0515Love3:1416Take It Off4:09 was released in 2007. It reached No. 6 on the US Top Reggae Albums chart.
His album My Way×My Way4 December 2012 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Caught Up3:002Drop It Down Low3:433Sweet Dreams3:184Anna Lou3:385Crush On You2:376All About You3:557Xtra Ordinary4:478This Time3:459Like First Time3:2210If I Ever4:4411Don't Say No2:5612Lovely Days3:2713Put Your Drinks Up3:2014Over All4:03 was released in December 2012. In October 2014, he featured on the Never Mind the Buzzcocks identity parade.