Gyalis

Album: single release only (2021)
Charted: 65 38
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Capella Grey is a Bronx rapper and singer of Jamaican heritage. After becoming a local hit in New York City, "Gyalis" earned Grey a deal with Capitol Records. With a major label behind it, the track gained traction throughout the rest of the US, giving him his first Hot 100 hit.
  • A "Gyalis" is a Jamaican term for a womanizer or playa. During this debaucherous but lighthearted track, Grey explains why ladies like to be around him despite his promiscuous ways.
  • Capella Grey produced the track himself, building it around an edited sample of Juvenile's 1999 hit "Back That Azz Up." The Bronx artist blends the New Orleans twerk anthem with his own crooning and dancehall rapping.
  • The song is a collection of different moments with no specific structure. Grey explained to Billboard that when he makes music, he produces like a DJ. "Some people's favorite part is the two and a half bars where I was rapping," he said. "Then it switched into this Caribbean vibe. The lingo switches to whatever. It just sounds like uptown. There are no rules to it. "

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

American Hits With Foreign Titles

American Hits With Foreign TitlesSong Writing

What are the biggest US hits with French, Spanish (not "Rico Suave"), Italian, Scottish, Greek, and Japanese titles?

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Mike Scott of The Waterboys

Mike Scott of The WaterboysSongwriter Interviews

The stories behind "Whole Of The Moon" and "Red Army Blues," and why rock music has "outlived its era of innovation."

Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger

Kelly Keagy of Night RangerSongwriter Interviews

Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger tells the "Sister Christian" story and explains why he started sweating when he saw it in Boogie Nights.

Steely Dan

Steely DanFact or Fiction

Did they really trade their guitarist to The Doobie Brothers? Are they named after something naughty? And what's up with the band name?

AC/DC

AC/DCFact or Fiction

Does Angus really drink himself silly? Did their name come from a sewing machine? See if you can spot the real stories about AC/DC.