Cham (singer)

Cham (born Damian Beckett, 24 February 1979) is a Jamaican-born dancehall singer-songwriter and actor, mostly known for his 2006 single "Ghetto Story" from his major label debut album of the same name, a song which led to multiple "story" songs by other artists in a similar vein.[1] He is currently signed to Atlantic Records, and was known as Baby Cham until 2005. He is still called Baby Cham by his Jamaican fans and fans from around the world despite the name change.

For the Sparkling Perry, see Babycham.

Cham
Birth nameDamian Beckett
Also known asBaby Cham
Born (1979-02-24) 24 February 1979
OriginSaint Andrew Parish
GenresReggae, dancehall, reggae fusion
Occupation(s)Deejay, singer-songwriter, record producer
Years active1994–present
LabelsAtlantic, Madhouse
Websitewww.cham-music.com

Biography

Originally from Sherlock Crescent in Saint Andrew Parish, Cham's career began in the early 1990s.[2] The Miami New Times referred to his debut album Wow... The Story, released in 2000, as "the most anticipated album in years from any reggae artist", and a Washington Post review of a live Cham concert in 2006 described him as "the man who may be the next Sean Paul – a dancehall artist who crosses over to the U.S. hip-hop market."[3][4]

Throughout his career, Cham has collaborated with many hip hop and R&B artists such as Foxy Brown, Alicia Keys, Carl Thomas, Shawn Mims, Mis-Teeq, Rihanna, Che'Nelle, Jentina, Akon, and T-Pain, Keke Palmer and many others.

Cham has for a long time worked with producer Dave Kelly.[2] In 2012, he recorded with his wife, O, on the singles "Wine" and "Tun Up".[2] In 2013 he released the Kelly-produced single "Fighter", featuring Damian "Junior Gong" Marley.[5]

Cham's third album, the Kelly-produced Lawless is due to be released in June 2015.[6] Featuring the single "I Am Hot", the album was recorded in Florida apart from a collaboration with Mykal Rose and Bounty Killer, which was recorded in Jamaica.[6]

Discography

Albums
Album information
Wow... The Story
  • Released: 24 October 2000
  • Label: Artists Only Records/Madhouse/So So Def
  • Worldwide sales: N/A
Ghetto Story
  • Released: 15 August 2006
  • Label: Atlantic Records/Madhouse/Asylum Records
  • Chart positions: No. 53 US[7]
  • Worldwide sales: 200,000

Singles
Year Song Chart positions Album
US Hot 100
[8]		 US R&B
[9]		 US Rap
[10]		 UK Singles
[11]
2000 "The Mass" — — — — Wow... The Story
"Funny Man" — — — —
"Ghetto Pledge" — — — —
"Boom/Can I Get A" — — — —
2006 "Ghetto Story" 99 — — — Ghetto Story
"Ghetto Story Chapter 2" (featuring Alicia Keys) 77 22 13 62
"Vitamin S" — 56 — —
"Rude Boy Pledge" — — — —
"Tic Toc" — — — —
2013 "Fighter" — — — — My Life

References
  1. Anglin-Christie, Kavelle (12 July 2006). "Cham responds to the other 'stories'". The Jamaican Online Star. Archived from the original on 24 September 2009. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  2. Johnson, Richard (2012) "Keeping apace with Cham", Jamaica Observer, 29 June 2012, retrieved 1 July 2012
  3. Gessling, Cheryl (21 December 2000). "Baby Cham". Miami New Times. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  4. Porter, Christopher (17 July 2006). "Baby Cham at Crossroads". Washington Post. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  5. Jackson, Kevin (2013) "Cham's a FIGHTER", Jamaica Observer, 25 October 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2013
  6. Jackson, Kevin (2015) "Cham's New Album for June", Jamaica Observer, 2 April 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2015
  7. "Cham – Billboard 200 chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  8. "Cham – The Hot 100 chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  9. "Cham – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  10. "Cham – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  11. "Chart Log UK (1994–2010): Chris C. – CZR". zobbel.de. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
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