Reggae Gold holds firm
Reggae Gold 2015, VP Record’s annual compilation of artistes, continues to hold firm in the number one spot on the Billboard Reggae album chart.
The 20-track set, released in July by a New York-based record distributor, is in its eighth non-consecutive week at the top.
The set features tracks including
Rude by Magic, Jah Cure’sMade in California,Jamaican International Dance by Beres Hammond, Christopher Martin’s I’m a Big Deal, Gully Bop’sMy God Dem Nuh Bad Like Me andBody Specialist, Busy Signal’s Text Message, All on Me by Gyptian,Morning Love by Dexta Daps,Etana’s I Rise andOh Jah Jah by Eddie Murphy.
What is significant about Reggae Gold 2015 is that it contains a number of chart-topping hits. The compilation is currently the biggest selling Jamaican project released this year with sales of over 23,450 copies in the United States.
Aaron Talbert, director of sales at VP Records, said the songs featured each year have contributed to the success of Reggae Gold over the years.
“The music, although people love the album covers, too. Also, we have made the annual title a pivotal release throughout the years and that focused energy has made a difference as well,” Talbert told the
Jamaica Observer yesterday.
Talbert explained how the compilation’s songs are chosen.
“We create our (desired) track list from the best songs of the year and then license tracks that are not within the VP catalogue,” he said.
First released in 1993,
Reggae Gold‘s biggest seller to date is its 2003 edition. That edition, which toppedBillboard’s Reggae album chart for 13 consecutive weeks, sold more than 262,000 copies.
Among the hits featured on the 2003 set were Sasha’s D
at Sexy Body, Make it Clap by Busta Rhymes featuring Sean Paul,No Letting Go (remix) by Wayne Wonder featuring LL Cool J,Hey Sexy Lady (remix) by Shaggy featuring Brian and Tony Gold, and Elephant Man’sPon Di River Pon Di Bank.