Dancehall singjay Artykal has reason to celebrate as his latest album, ‘Celebration’ generated 5,000 streams within one week of its release date on December 25, 2020.
“The reaction has been pretty good, the album peaked at #33 on the reggae iTunes and that represents significant growth in my career,” the artiste whose real name is Dwayne Gardener, said.
The seven track album features tracks produced by Nolanding Music, Dweet Now Entertainment and Ovation Lab. DJ Franko and Posh mixed the album.
This is his sophomore album, having released his debut album, ‘Beginning’ on digital platforms in 2019.
“I put all my life experiences, philosophies and beliefs in this album. It exudes a positive energy which I always try to send out in the universe,” he said.
He grew up in the community of Fairfield in the Lincoln district of Manchester, only a few miles from the Greenvale birthplace of the late Garnet Silk. He attended Christiana High School but migrated at age 14 where he finished his secondary education at Weaver High in Hartford, Connecticut.
He linked up with Portmore-based producer Kashwain ‘Dweet Now’ Buchanan and he recorded his first official track, Party Time in 2009, and maintained an excellent working relationship with him through the years.
Years later, he also forged great working chemistry with producer Damian ‘Creeper’ Drummond of Nolanding Music in Hartford Connecticut. Both producers contributed significantly towards the ‘Celebration’ EP.
“I am feeling great that the album is creating a buzz because I wanted to give dancehall fans something everyone can listen to…it has positive energy, a clean energy. This is where the music is supposed to be like, not a scenario where people put anything inna songs because that can cause negative things to manifest inna real life,” he reasoned.
Some of the singles from the album include the lead track, Celebrate, ‘Brother Song’ and Black Green and Gold, the latter of which was released just three weeks ago.
“The Black Green and Gold song also has visuals, and it came out on my personal label, Rules God Created (RGC). The song is being promoted on social media and all the ethnic radio stations in the city of Hartford,” he said.
Everything’s coming up roses for Artykal.
“Everything hortical,” said Artykal.
Yes indeed.
