As dancehall music gained mainstream attention in the US during the early 1990s, Wayne Wonder made a decision that significantly transformed his career -- he stopped recording cover songs. The singer kicked off his career in the mid-1980s with reggae versions of PM Dawn's Die Without You and Fast Car by Tracy Chapman. But as his knowledge of music publishing grew, Wayne Wonder began writing his own songs.
"I stopped doing covers in '93. Once you make your mind up and focus and be disciplined, you realise you can't be creative with a lazy mindset," he said. The 1990s saw a flurry of original hit songs by the East Kingston-raised artiste, including Baby You And I , Saddest Day of My Life , Joyride and Loving Excess (with Don Yute).
They set the pace for No Letting Go , his biggest hit, which was released on the massive Diwali rhythm in 2002. Wayne Wonder believes the decision to go original ultimately paid off, as the songs in his live shows are mainly from the 1990s when he excelled with Penthouse Records and Madhouse Records. His latest songs are collaborations: Tun Up is done with DJ Kumaar, The One (with DJ Norie and Shaggy), Ruba Dub (with Supriz) and Celebration Time with Charly Black.
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