Charly Black | |
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| Born | (1980-04-06)6 April 1980 (age 45) |
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| Children | Six |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 2004–present |
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Musical artist | |
Desmond Méndez[1] (born 6 April 1980), better known asCharly Black, alternatively known asCharly Blacks, and originally known asTony Mentol, is a Jamaicanreggae anddancehall singer,selector andsingjay. He is best known for his track "Gyal You a Party Animal", which became popular outside Jamaica in regions includingMexico,South America, andSpain. The song was a hit in these regions,[2] as well as in some parts of theCaribbean andCentral America. It is also one of the most watched dancehall videos onYouTube with over 238 million views as of February 2022.[3] Other songs include "Whine & Kotch" Feat. J Capri, "Girlfriend" , "Bike Back", and "Hoist & Wine". Mendez has also collaborated with other music artists, including his collaboration with AmericanLatin pop starJencarlos Canela in the single "Pa Que Me Invitan".[4]
Desmond Mendez was born inRio Bueno, Jamaica on 6 April 1980. He started his ascent at singing competitions at the age of five. He attended Rio Bueno Primary and High School.[1]
Mendez has been part of the Warlord International andBass Odyssey sound systems. He made his recorded debut in 2004 with the single "Woman It's You".[5] He eventually switched aliases to Charly Black and recorded a string of cuts for labels like Coppershot, M Bass, and VP, the last of which issued "Buddy Buddy" in 2008. in the year 2012 With the label of Head Concussion Records (company of theJamaican producerRvssian) he releases the song "Whine & Kotch" with the singer J Capri, having a great acceptance in the world of dancehall and being one of the most recognized songs of it. In 2014, he recorded his most successful single, "Gyal You a Party Animal", then simply known as "Party Animal". The song, based on Kurt Riley's Jambe-Anriddim,[5] gradually spread outside Jamaica to win over audiences across South America. It was licensed worldwide byAllezgo Productions and for the US byCasablanca Records in early 2016, followed by the release of a music video for the song onYouTube months later. It has since received over 100 million streams onSpotify.[citation needed]
The song has also been remixed by other foreign music artists, includingMaluma,Daddy Yankee, andJillionaire. However, Maluma announced viaInstagram that he was unable to launch his remixed version due to legal rights issues.[6]
In May 2016, he performed inVictoria, Seychelles, and was warmly welcomed by critics.[7]
Since the critical success of "Gyal You a Party Animal" later that year, Mendez has been more active on live performing. In October 2016, he made a live performance inMexico,[8] performing such songs including his signature "Gyal You a Party Animal", as well asHoist & Wine. This performance was sponsored by theHispanic Radio Network and stationLos 40. He also appeared inSan José,Costa Rica on 2 December of the same year, where "Gyal You a Party Animal" was certified Diamond in Central America, making him the first Jamaican music artist to be Diamond-awarded in the said region.[9] In August 2024 he performed at Ruhr Reggae Summer (Mülheim an der Ruhr).
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