Popular Guyanese-born musical artist Gucci Boss, fresh off a stirring performance at Guyana’s Independence concert in Brooklyn, and shows in Miami, Texas, and New Jersey, is gearing up for the Labor Day weekend as he continues to ride the waves of success.
The electrifying performer told Caribbean Life on Monday that he recently dropped his newest release Lo-Lee an infectious calypso rhythm, that adds to his growing hits, “Big Uncle,” featuring Guyanese reggae artist Pablo G, Roll Out, and Bambazam. He has also recorded music videos for songs, “Damn,” “Eye Pass,” and “Lil Pimp” among others.
The rapper that he will join the NOMADS Costume Band in the Labor Day Road march, on Monday September 2 as he continues to rise to fame as a household name.
Gucci Boss, who is always decked out in fashionable outfits, and stylish jewelry, has made his mark on the music scene, cementing himself as a star in a variety of genres.
Gucci – an acronym for God Understands Courage Comes Indefinitely, and Boss, inspired by the lessons he learned from his grandfather, “who always used to say to me, you can’t call yourself a boss if nobody sees you as successful in what it is you’re doing,” he explained.
“It’s so funny because the whole thing is others see the success that you’re a boss. I just figured it was God’s plan that everything happened the way it did, and I never questioned it, he quipped.
He said he is in control of his destiny. “God give you that life to live. That’s your relationship with God, so why not control that destiny.”
Gucci, whose given name is Ryan Royston Linton, was born to parents of Ithaca, a predominantly African-Guyanese village in the West Bank of Berbice, however, he was born in the small mining town of Linden, after his mother moved to be closer to his grandmother.
At the tender age of two, Ryan’s parents moved to Ocho Rios, Jamaica due the convenience to his father’s career with Reynolds Bauxite shipping company. While in Jamaica his family grew to include his siblings who were born in the island nation.
But despite living in Jamaica, reggae did not at the time, influence his musical sound, he recalls, noting, that at age seven, his father, the first sound system DJ, in Guyana, after moving the family back to the South American country, encourage the musically inclined young man to take up the art.
“Take this mike and let me see what you can do,” encouraged, his uncle. This is when seven-year-old, Ryan, started to formulate lyrics, and adding showmanship to his performance. This surprised his family, who quickly knew that he was going to be a superstar musician one day.
He waited until he left Jamaica to pursue the music he wanted to produce, not having to “water-down” the Guyanese sound.
“Coming from Jamaica I didn’t want people to feel, you are a Guyanese trying to sound Jamaican. That was one thing I was conscious of. I wanted my music to be authentic. I wanted the world to hear our Guyanese music. We have our own unique style.”
However, it was not until he migrated to America that his star started to shine. He said he performed music he described as traditional “sporting music,” and fused it with calypso, like that of the Mighty Sparrow.
“I am taking that sweet flavor of the traditional Kwe Kwe rhythm and combining it with Soca music that we all love. I call it sporting music, it’s a together music, we tell all types of stories with this music,” said Gucci Boss who recalls the music came from West Africa, brought to Guyana by his forefathers.
Today, Gucci Boss is a sought-after artist, whose exciting style performance has made him a crowd pleaser. He shares that sporting music, is a vibe.
“Every time that I can travel and put Guyana on a high level, it’s always an honor and a privilege.
“I represented the Guyana Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sport in Trinidad where I competed in the Soca Monarch competition. That was a great experience. I’ve been to Antigua, Barbados, and other Caribbean islands,” said the artist.
“I live in New York, but I’ve practically toured the majority of the States of America. I have represented Guyana on a national and international level. Whenever I get a chance to sing our music it’s to show people that Guyanese have talent,” said Gucci Boss, reiterating, “when I get a chance to be one of those ambassadors it is always an honor and a privilege.”
“I like performing reggae songs, but for me like I said, it’s all about “sporting” music and showing the world that Guyanese are talented,” he said.
Lady Ira Lewis Productions who said she has helped to mentor Gucci Boss, booking for many of her shows and presented him with awards for his contribution to the community, has applauded his success.
