Charly Black

Desmond Mendez^[1] (born 6 April 1980), better known as Charly Black, alternatively known as Charly Blacks, and previously known as Tony Mentol, is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall singer, selector and singjay. He is best known for his track "Gyal You A Party Animal", which has gradually spread outside Jamaica to win over audiences across South America. The song is extremely popular on these regions,^[2] as well as in some parts of the Caribbean and Central America. Other songs include "Whine & Kotch", "Girlfriend", "Bike Back", and "Hoist & Wine". Mendez has also collaborated with other music artists, including his collaboration with American latin pop star Jencarlos Canela in the single "Pa Que Me Invitan".^[3]

Life and career

Desmond Mendez was born in Rio Bueno, Jamaica on April 6, 1980. He started his ascent at singing competitions at the age of five. He attended Rio Bueno Primary and High School.^[1]

Mendez has been part of the Warlord International and Bass Odyssey sound systems. As Tony Mentol, he made his recorded debut in 2004 with the single "Woman It's You".^[4] He eventually switched aliases to Charly Black and recorded a string of cuts for labels like Coppershot, M Bass, and VP, the last of which issued "Buddy Buddy" in 2008. In 2014 he recorded his most successful single, "Gyal You A Party Animal", then simply known as "Party Animal". The song, based on Kurt Riley's Jambe-An riddim,^[4] gradually spread outside Jamaica to win over audiences across South America. It was licensed for the U.S. by Casablanca Records in early 2016, followed by the release of a music video for the song on YouTube months later. The song has also been remixed by other foreign music artists, including Maluma, Daddy Yankee, and Jillionaire. However, Maluma announced via Instagram that he was unable to launch his remixed version due to legal rights issues.^[5] As of December 2016, the music video of "Gyal You A Party Animal" has over 35 million views on YouTube.^[6]

Mendez has also performed live. On October 2016, he made a live performance in Mexico,^[7] performing such songs including his signature "Gyal You A Party Animal", as well as "Hoist & Wine". This performance was sponsored by the Latin American radio network and station Los 40. He also appeared in San José, Costa Rica on December 2 of the same year.

Discography

Albums

• Best Whine Riddim (feat. Kooly Chat) (2011)
• Multi-Talented (2013)
• Bubble Dung (2013)

Singles

• "Woman It's You" (2004)
• "Buddy Buddy" (2008)
• "Rich This Year" (2009)
• "Fall in Love Again" (2010)
• "Whine & Kotch" (2012)
• "Too Blessed" (2012)
• "Bubble Dung" (2013)
• "Jamaican Everyday" (2014)
• "Gyal You A Party Animal" (2014)
• "Bike Back" (2014)
• "Girlfriend" (2016)
• "Hoist & Wine" (2016)

Collaborations

• "Pa Que Me Invitan" (with Jencarlos Canela) (2016)

References