Dancehall artiste Byron Messia says he is surprised at the reaction and response to his global hit Talibans.

“I am very surprised by all of this. I was never expecting this to have such a global impact. But I am very grateful for that,” Byron Messia disclosed in an interview with the OBSERVER ONLINE.

Talibans continues its winning ways making inroads on not only the Billboard charts in America but also on global charts, A remix of Talibans, titled Talibans II featuring Burna Boy is also impacting the charts.

On Billboard US Afrobeats Songs chart, Talibans II debuts at #3 threatening to topple the long-running Calm Down by Rema and Selena Gomez. Talibans II had debuted at #99 on the Billboard Hot 100 last week, but it has since fallen off the chart.

The original version of Talibans remains at #32 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, while stepping up from #15 to #12 on Rap Airplay. Over on Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, the song bullets from #26 to #23. On Rhythmic Airplay Top 40, Talibans improves from #31 to #24.

In Ireland, Talibans debuted and peaked at number 74 three weeks ago but it remains at number 94 on the Irish Singles chart.

Talibans moved up on this week’s UK Singles chart from number 19 to 17, having peaked at number 12 a few weeks ago. On the UK Official Hip-Hop and R&B Singles chart, Talibans darted from eight to seven.

In Nigeria on the Hot 100 Singles chart, Talibans II backtracks from 18 to 23 in its second week.

Said Byron Messia, “Talibans was inspired by what I saw happening around me. The things I am aware of and the experiences of other persons.”

Born in Kingston, Byron Messia resided in Drewsland before he was adopted and moved to St Kitts and Nevis as a child. He never attended schools in Jamaica.

“Life financially for me was stable but I had a loving mother and sister who would go out of their way to actually make sure that I eat and had clothes on my back at the end of the day,” said Byron Messia.

His love for music began in the ninth grade but he decided to pursue it professionally in 2018.

He calls his style of music dance-soul.

“I am bringing new flows, metaphors, word play and personality. That’s what make me stand out,” he shared.

No Love, Byron Messia’s latest album, remains at number three on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart.

– Kevin Jackson