Charly Black on staying hungry and what to expect from him at his Abu Dhabi show

We speak to Jamaican dancehall artist who will be performing at the Caribbean Beach Festival on Yas Island

Charly Black is most famous for his song 'Gyal Yuh A Party Animal'. Courtesy Charly Black

The Yas Caribbean Beach Festival takes place on October 5 and it features an impressive line-up of artists, including Fat Joe, Charly Black, Iyanya and Prince-Dynasty.

But it's Black who stands out for us. Born Desmond Mendez in Rio Bueno, Jamaica, he made waves around the world with his 2008 song Gyal Yuh A Party Animal. The track was popular in Latin America, and reached number 18 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs Chart in the United States. In 2017, Black released a remixed version of the song with Puerto Rican artist Luis Fonsi.

We catch up with the party animal dancehall king to find out what he has lined up for his UAE debut.

How good is it to be a dancehall artist right now?

Very good. It feels like every artist in the world loves dancehall. 

Do you feel that dancehall music is having a resurgence?

Now, yes I do. I also feel I am the newest, most underrated dancehall artist in Jamaica, but to be honest with you, I have one of the biggest songs to have come out of Jamaica in the past four years. I am accepted by the world out there. I’m very hungry, but still very humble at the same time. 

Who was your major influence?

Bounty Killer. And he still is.

Did you expect ‘Gyal Yuh A Party Animal’ to spread in the way it did?

To be honest, no I didn’t. I knew the song was good, and I did what I had to do to shoot the video and promote it. Me and my team are unstoppable. We went all over the world to promote it but trust me, we never knew it would spread like this. I’m very appreciative.

What can we expect from your Abu Dhabi show?

Lots of excitement. Remember, I am the party animal; I am going to make everyone party and enjoy themselves. I am very happy and I want to make sure people come and fully enjoy themselves. 

Do you have any plans to look around the UAE or are you just flying in and out?

This is my first time visiting, and we are going to come to the show and leave right away because we have a lot to do. But we are going to try and have a look around the beautiful city of Abu Dhabi. 

You have a very distinctive fashion style. Are you intending to do any shopping while you are here?

I hope so because I would love to buy something that says, “I went here and I bought this” for memories’ sake.

What was it like growing up in the country rather than the city?

Being a country boy prepares you for the world, to have respect and manners. I always say good morning, good evening and thanks, and appreciate the small things; simple things. I was raised by my Aunty Gloria, may she rest in peace. She was like a mother and father to me. She played that role. She is the one who sent me to school. So personally, I have learnt a lot by following her methods and the things she taught me. It made me who I am today. Hungry but still humble. So it’s like being a country boy is one of the greatest things.

Caribbean Beach Festival takes place on October 5 at Yas Island from 5pm until 3am. Doors open at 4pm and tickets cost Dh130 and can be purchased at www.platinumlist.net

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From dance-hall to Sesame Street: Kofi Annan's pop culture moments 

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