Wayne Wonder facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wayne Wonder
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Wonder performing in 2013
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Von Wayne Charles |
| Born | 26 July 1972 Buff Bay, Portland, Jamaica |
| Origin | Kingston, Jamaica |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Years active | 1985–present |
| Labels | VP Records |
Wayne Wonder, whose real name is Von Wayne Charles, is a famous singer from Jamaica. He was born on July 26, 1972. He sings reggae and dancehall music. His most well-known song is "No Letting Go" from 2003.
Contents
About Wayne Wonder
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Wayne Wonder grew up in Buff Bay, Jamaica. When he was a child, he loved to sing in Sunday school. He started writing songs when he was just 13 years old! He got his first big chance to perform every week at a place called Metro Media.
Wayne tried out at a studio called Sonic Sounds. A famous musician, Sly Dunbar, liked his singing. But Sly was too busy touring to sign him. Wayne had better luck with King Tubby, a music producer. King Tubby helped him make his first song, "Long and Lasting Love," in 1985.
Working with Dave Kelly
Wayne's music career really took off when he started working with Dave Kelly. Dave was a friend from primary school. They created many hit songs together, including "Saddest Day." They also worked on Wayne's second album, Part 2.
In 1992, Wayne toured the UK with other popular artists. He sang with Marcia Griffiths, Tony Rebel, and Buju Banton. He also recorded a song called "Bonafide Love (Movie Star)" with Buju Banton. Wayne even wrote some early hit songs for Buju Banton.
Starting His Own Record Label
In the year 2000, Wayne Wonder started his own record label called Singso. His album Da Vibe came out that year. On this album, he started mixing hip hop music with his reggae sound. He worked with other big artists like Foxy Brown.
International Success
Wayne Wonder became famous around the world when he signed with Atlantic Records. In 2003, his song "No Letting Go" became a huge hit. This song used a popular beat called the Diwali riddim. Other artists like Sean Paul also used this beat.
"No Letting Go" became very popular on radio stations in the US. It reached number 11 in the US and number 3 in the UK. This success led to many older songs by Wayne Wonder being released again. One of these was Inna Bashment Style: The Roots Of An Urban Warrior in 2005.
Recent Music
A new album called Foreva was released in 2007. It was very popular on the US Top Reggae Albums chart. His album My Way came out in December 2012. Wayne Wonder continues to make music and perform for his fans.
Music Albums
Studio Albums
| Year | Album | US Reggae Albums |
US Billboard 200 |
US R&B/Hip-Hop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | One More Chance | – | – | – |
| 1991 | Wayne Wonder | – | – | – |
| 1993 | Don't Have To... | – | – | – |
| 1995 | All Original Bombshell | – | – | – |
| 2000 | Da Vibe | – | – | – |
| 2001 | Schizophrenic | – | – | – |
| 2003 | No Holding Back | 2 | 29 | 10 |
| 2007 | Foreva | 6 | – | – |
| 2012 | My Way | – | – | – |
Compilation Albums
| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 1989 | Wayne Wonder & Sanchez Part 1 |
| 1990 | Wayne Wonder & Sanchez Part 2 |
| 1999 | Collectors Series |
| 2002 | Essential |
| 2003 | You Me And She |
| 2005 | Inna Bashment Style: The Roots of an Urban Warrior |
| 2006 | Reggae Chronicles |
| 2013 | Penthouse Flashback Series: Wayne Wonder, Vol. 1 |
| 2013 | Penthouse Flashback Series: Wayne Wonder, Vol. 2 |
| 2020 | Reggae Penthouse Triplets: Beres Hammond, Sanchez and Wayne Wonder |
Hit Songs (Singles)
| Year | Single | Peak chart positions | Certifications (sales thresholds) |
Album | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUS |
BEL (FL) |
CAN |
FRA |
GER |
NLD |
SWE |
SWI |
UK |
US |
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| 1989 | "You Send the Rain Away" (Pickout) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | One More Chance | ||
| 2003 | "No Letting Go" | 51 | 21 | 26 | 37 | 31 | 3 | 23 | 24 | 3 | 11 | No Holding Back | ||
| "Bounce Along" | — | 60 | — | — | — | 69 | — | 42 | 19 | — | ||||
| 2004 | "Hold Me Now" (Thompson Twins) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 50 First Dates: Love Songs from the Original Motion Picture | ||
| 2006 | "You" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Single only | ||
| 2007 | "Gonna Love You" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Foreva | ||
| "Again" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
| "For My Love" (featuring Trina) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
| 2012 | "Caught Up" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | My Way | ||
| 2014 | "Let Me Love You Tonight" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sweet Songs | ||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | ||||||||||||||
