REGGAE artiste Gyptian copped the MOBO Award for Best Reggae Act on Wednesday. The awards show was held in Liverpool, England. This is the first international award for Gyptian since coming onto the music scene in 2005 with Serious Times.

Gyptian was in attendance at the awards show, which saw boy band JLS and British rapper Tinie Tempah walk away with double awards each.

In a telephone interview from his hotel in England, Gyptian expressed his gratitude and joy on winning the coveted award. “It’s really a pleasure, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. I’m just giving thanks and praises for this achievement.”

Asked what winning the award signified for him, Gyptian said ‘It’s like you are going to college and you graduate with honours’.

Gyptian will next month be going up against Vybz Kartel, Gramps Morgan, Damian Marley, Jah Cure and Mr Vegas in the Best Reggae Act category of the Soul Train Music Awards. He is also scheduled to perform at the event which is set to take place on November 10 in Atlanta, USA.

Currently on a UK tour with US rhythm and blues singer Mary J Blige, Gyptian says he is looking to break new ground on the trek.

Gyptian said “It’s a nice look for me to be on tour with Mary J Blige. I am looking forward to breaking new ground and increasing the fan base.”

Gyptian’s VP Records album Hold You was released in July. It has so far peaked at number two on Billboard’s Reggae album chart and number 34 on Billboard’s R&B Hip Hop album chart.

His smash single Hold You reached number four on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart; number 69 on Billboard’s Canadian Hot 100; number 31 on Billboard’s R&B Hip Hop Songs chart; and number 77 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The follow-up single Nah Let Go which has an accompanying music video clip in rotation on MTV and BET, is already garnering mainstream airplay stateside. It is expected to impact the Billboard charts over the next few weeks.