Charly Black

Born Desmond Mendez in Rio Bueno, Trelawny, Charly Black began singing as a child and won local competitions early on. Before stepping out as a recording artist, he worked as a selector with Bass Odyssey Sound System, an experience that shaped his feel for rhythm, crowd energy, and timing. He first recorded as Tony Mentol and released “Woman It’s You” in 2004, then continued building a catalog through singles that mixed romantic themes with streetwise dancehall flavor. Tracks such as “Rich This Year,” “Whine & Kotch,” “Hoist & Wine,” and “VIP Girl” helped keep his name moving in Jamaica even before his biggest global moment arrived.

“Gyal You a Party Animal” changed the scale of his career. Its success in Latin America and other overseas markets brought Charly Black into a wider pop conversation, and it remains the song most listeners discover him through. The track’s long life also showed how naturally his voice fits across borders and languages, especially when his hooks are paired with bright, infectious riddims. He later extended that momentum with collaborations and new solo material, including the 2021 album Rio Bueno and the 2023 album No Excuses, both of which reflect his roots while keeping his sound current.

For a dancehall artist whose strongest work often balances island swagger with singalong melody, Charly Black has stayed remarkably consistent. Whether he is cutting a club record or leaning into the softer, flirtier side of the genre, his music tends to land on the same core strengths: rhythm, character, and a gift for making a hook feel instantly familiar. Release titles such as Weekend and Car Window fit neatly into that lane, showing an artist who still knows how to keep the groove moving without losing his signature style.