Maxi Priest collects silver

Reggae singer Maxi Priest has achieved a significant milestone in his career, earning a Brit-certified silver single for his 1990 chart-topping song "Close to You." This marks the first time the British-born artist, of Jamaican parentage, has received this certification in the United Kingdom.

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WOW! I feel good. I feel blessed. I feel appreci-loved. I feel like I have been touched by many angels, and I truly give thanks for that.

Priest expressed his joy and gratitude, stating, “WOW! I feel good. I feel blessed. I feel appreci-loved.” He dedicated the achievement to his supporters and wished his late parents and brother could share the moment. "I want to say a big thank you to everybody for supporting my music and allowing me to have a career that I truly enjoy,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

The singer reflected on the song's inspiration, recalling a drive through London when he was struck by the beauty of the ladies on the street. "The sun was shining, which can be rare in England, it was a beautiful day, and in my admiration, I just started singing, ‘I just wanna be close to you,’ repeatedly, all throughout the ride." He brought the idea to producers Gary Benson and Winston Sela, who helped craft the song's core.

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First, I give thanks to the Most High because, without Him, there is nothing. God first. I also give thanks to everybody who has supported my musical career, especially the song Close to You. I only wish that my parents and my brother were here to be a part of this. I want to say a big thank you to everybody for supporting my music and allowing me to have a career that I truly enjoy.

Priest also noted that "Close to You" signifies perseverance. "It signifies that if you put your heart and soul into something you can achieve. Set your goals high. Pray, be humble and respectful… but most importantly, for me, having respect, humility, hard work, and dedication. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. I want to encourage everyone to keep the faith,” he advised.

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It signifies that if you put your heart and soul into something you can achieve. Set your goals high. Pray, be humble and respectful… but most importantly, for me, having respect, humility, hard work, and dedication. There is a light at the tunnel. I want to encourage everyone to keep the faith.

In addition to his new silver certification, Maxi Priest has three albums, Bonafide, Maxi, and The Best of Me, that have achieved gold status from the BPI. He is known for numerous hits, including covers and collaborations with artists like Beres Hammond, Roberta Flack, Shaggy, and Shabba Ranks.

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I was working with Gary Benson and Winston Sela at the time over in Tottenham, and that’s quite a drive from where I was in SE London. So, I was in my jeep with the top down, and throughout the drive I was just admiring the beautiful ladies on the street. The sun was shining, which can be rare in England, it was a beautiful day, and in my admiration, I just started singing, ‘I just wanna be close to you,’ repeatedly, all throughout the ride.