Wayne Wonder

Artist Image: Wayne Wonder
Attribution
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Biography

Wayne Wonder (born Von Wayne Charles, 26 July 1972) is a Jamaican reggae fusion (specifically reggae/R&B) artist. While his early recordings were dancehall and reggae, he later moved towards hip hop and rap. Wonder was born in Buff Bay, Portland, Jamaica. He sang in Sunday school as a child, and began songwriting at the age of 13, getting a major career break when he was given a regular weekly slot at Metro Media in Allman Town. He auditioned at Sonic Sounds studio, but while Sly Dunbar was impressed, his touring commitments with Black Uhuru prevented him from signing Wonder. He had more success, however, with King Tubby, who produced his first single, "Long and Lasting Love", in 1985, with two more following. Wonder's career suffered a setback when Tubby was killed in 1988, and he recorded for several other record producers at Sonic Sound, enjoying a further hit with the Lloyd Dennis-produced "It's Over Now", leading to the release of his first album, No More Chance, although his success in this era was limited. His fortunes improved when he began working with Dave Kelly, a friend from primary school, who had become resident sound engineer at Penthouse Studios. The partnership enjoyed a string of hits, starting with "Saddest Day", and they also worked on Wonder's second album, Part 2. His 1990 live performance of Alphaville's "Forever Young" was recorded and later released to Alphaville fans in a limited, cassette-only album entitled History. He toured the UK in 1992 along with other Penthouse stars Marcia Griffiths, Tony Rebel, and Buju Banton. He also recorded "Bonafide Love (Movie Star)" with Buju Banton, and wrote several early hits for him, including the controversial "Boom Bye Bye". He toured again with Banton in 1994 as part of the Penthouse Showcase. Wonder formed the band Alias along with Kelly, Baby Cham, Frisco Kid, and Frankie Sly, and later Entourage.

Details

Item Name Item Details
Year Formed 1987
Number of Albums 57
Record Label
Website www.waynewonder.com
Wikipedia Wayne Wonder on Wikipedia
Social Networks

Genres

Dancehall

Trivia

Where did Wonder first have success?

Jamaica

...Wonder first had success in Jamaica with his albums Schizophrenic and Da Vibe, the latter of which enjoyed extensive airplay throughout the Caribbean....
What group did Lisa Left Eye Lopes belong to?

TLC

... Soul for Real, Foxy Brown, and the late Lisa Left Eye Lopes of the group TLC . Wonder was born Von Wayne Charles on July 26, 1972, in Portland, Jamaic...
What year was Von Wayne Charles born?

1972

...ye Lopes of the group TLC. Wonder was born Von Wayne Charles on July 26, 1972 , in Portland, Jamaica, but later moved to Kingston with his family. His ...
Where did Von Wayne's mother sing at the local church?

gospel music

...amaica, but later moved to Kingston with his family. His mother sang gospel music at the local church and Wonder joined her as soon as he was old enou...
When did Wonder start writing songs?

13

...red what was going on in his mind. Wonder began writing songs when he was 13 , and started performing when he was invited to sing weekly at a venue in ...
What was Wonder's first name?

Von Wayne Charles

...and the late Lisa Left Eye Lopes of the group TLC. Wonder was born Von Wayne Charles on July 26, 1972, in Portland, Jamaica, but later moved to Kingst...
Who were some of his early musical inspirations?

Mahalia Jackson, Linval Thompson, and Bob Marley

...lman Town. His early musical inspirations included Mahalia Jackson, Linval Thompson, and Bob Marley . He landed an audition with a record company, Soni...
What was the name of the record company he auditioned for?

Sonic Sounds

...ompson, and Bob Marley. He landed an audition with a record company, Sonic Sounds , where he made a favorable impression, although he was not signed at...
What was Wonder's first single called?

Long and Lasting Love

...ention of King Tubby, a legendary recording artist and producer in Jamaica. With Tubbys help, he cut his first single, Long and Lasting Love , in 1985....
Who helped Wonder cut his first single?

King Tubby

...time. Wonder got his break in 1985 when he attracted the attention of King Tubby , a legendary recording artist and producer in Jamaica. With Tubbys he...
What was the name of Wayne Wonder's 2003 hit single?

No Letting Go

...ved towards hip hop and rap. His most popular single is the 2003 hit No Letting Go . Wayne Wonder's Biography Jamaican reggae fusion artist known for h...
When did Wayne Wonder begin writing his own songs?

thirteen

...efore Fame He sang in Sunday school and began writing his own songs at thirteen . Wayne Wonder Trivia His single No Letting Go reached number 11 on the...
What year did Wayne Wonder reach his net worth?

2022

...es, Wikipedia, IMDB, and other reputable online sources, Wayne Wonder has an estimated net worth of 1 Million at the age of 49 years old in year 2022 ....
What kind of vocals does Wayne Wonder have?

sensual, honeyed

...The sensual, honeyed vocals of Wayne Wonder have made him a consistent hit maker with both extraordinary songs for lovers and the streets since the la...
When was Von Wayne Charles born?

Buff Bay, Portland

... streets since the late 80s. Born Von Wayne Charles on July 26 in Buff Bay, Portland , Wayne s initial singing inspiration came from attending Sunday s...
What was Wayne's mother's profession?

sang in church

...unday school, where singing was compulsory, and from his mother who sang in church . As a child Wayne and his family moved all over eastern Kingston, l...
Where does the weekly ReggaeR&B oldies street dance take place?

Rae Town

...r eastern Kingston, living in areas such as Dunkirk, Franklin Town and Rae Town , home of the weekly Sunday night ReggaeR&B oldies street dance. The ex...
What kind of music did Wayne use at these dances?

vintage 45's

...e weekly Sunday night ReggaeR&B oldies street dance. The exposure to vintage 45's at these dances would provide Wayne with a richer, more soulful voca...
What nickname did Wayne acquire at secondary school?

Wonder

...fulness and philosophical nature led to the acquisition of the nickname Wonder ; young Wayne sang at school, at home, at church and for his friends and...
In what year was King Tubby's death?

1988

...e recorded for was the legendary creator of dub, the late King Tubby. In 1988 , Wayne was devastated by the death of Tubby who was among the most signi...
What was the first song that started to play?

It's Over Now

...eer. Wayne then linked up with producer Lloyd Dennis voicing the hit It's Over Now on the popular Cover Me rhythm (titled after the hit by Ninja Man a...
Who did Wayne link up with to voice the hit It's Over Now?

Lloyd Dennis

...t influences in his early career. Wayne then linked up with producer Lloyd Dennis voicing the hit It's Over Now on the popular Cover Me rhythm (titled...
Where was Wonder born?

Buff Bay, Portland, Jamaica

...Letting Go. Biography edit Early life edit Wonder was born in Buff Bay, Portland, Jamaica . He sang in Sunday school as a child, Wayne attended Camperd...
What school did Wonder attend as a child?

Camperdown High School

...d, Jamaica. He sang in Sunday school as a child, Wayne attended Camperdown High School in eastern Kingston, and began songwriting at the age of 13, ge...
Where did he audition for his debut album?

Sonic Sounds studio

...in Allman Town. Auditioning and debut album edit He auditioned at Sonic Sounds studio , but while Sly Dunbar was impressed, his touring commitments wit...
Who was impressed by his auditions at Sonic Sounds?

Sly Dunbar

... and debut album edit He auditioned at Sonic Sounds studio, but while Sly Dunbar was impressed, his touring commitments with Black Uhuru prevented him...
Who was the resident sound engineer at Penthouse Studios?

Dave Kelly

...urther releases edit His fortunes improved when he began working with Dave Kelly , a friend from primary school, who had become resident sound engineer...
On what date was Von Wayne Charles born?

July 26, 1972

...On July 26, 1972 , Jamaican reggae and dancehall singersongwriter Von Wayne Charles, better known as Wayne Wonder, was born in Buff Bay, Portland, Jama...
Which genres of music did Von Wayne Wonder develop his music towards?

hiphop and rap

... recordings of reggae and dancehall, he developed his music towards hiphop and rap genres over time. He had his most popular single with No Letting Go...
When was No Letting Go released?

2003

...p genres over time. He had his most popular single with No Letting Go in 2003 . Born Von Wayne Charles in Buff Bay, the artist known professionally as ...
Wonders album Schizophrenic was released in what year?

2001

...He moved further toward the hiphop genre with the album Schizophrenic in 2001 and signed on with Atlantic Records, gaining worldwide recognition. He r...
Who did Wonder sign with in 2001?

Atlantic Records

...phop genre with the album Schizophrenic in 2001 and signed on with Atlantic Records , gaining worldwide recognition. He received a major global career ...
Who did Wonder collaborate with from Soul for Real?

J'son

... and further toward hiphop and rap. His collaborations include work with J'son from Soul for Real, Foxy Brown, and Lisa Left Eye Lopes from TLC. This ...
Who was Wonder's mother's choir?

Galilee Gospel Church

... singing most of his life. His mother sang with the choir at the Galilee Gospel Church . Writing his first songs at the age of 13, Wonder launched his ...
What is the name of the small village in eastern Jamaica?

Franklin Town

... from TLC. This resulted in even greater success for Wonder. Born in Franklin Town , a small village near Rae Town in eastern Jamaica, Wonder has been ...
What was the turning point in Wonder's career?

he met influential producer and record company owner King Tubby

... turning point in Wonder's career came when he met influential producer and record company owner King Tubby . He recalled in a late'90s interview, In m...