Deejay Byron Messia says the recent platinum certification for his 2023 song Talibans is a major accomplishment not just for him, but for the dancehall genre.

Byron Messia made the assertion in an interview with the Jamaica Observer on the weekend.

“It’s a major accomplishment for me just being a youth from the ghetto. And it’s a major accomplishment for the genre itself, dancehall,” the Jamaican-born, St Kitts-raised entertainer shared.

Talibans received a platinum certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for sales and streaming figures exceeding the equivalent of 600,000 units.

The song peaked at #12 on the UK Singles chart, and it also charted in the United States on multiple Billboard airplay charts.

Byron Messia said he never expected the kind of success that Talibans has achieved.

“To be honest, no, we never expected all of what has happened. We were just doing music out of love, so we never expected it to gain the type of impact that it has on the world today,” Byron Messia explained.

Talibans was certified gold in Canada in September 2023 for sales of more than 40,000 units.

According to the artiste, there’s new music on the way.

“I have some songs in the making with artistes like Masicka, Malie Donn, and a rapper from Atlanta named Hunxho. I also have a song dropping with artiste Dejour, who is a hometown favourite like myself,” said Byron Messia, who also shared that a body of work has been put on pause for the time being while he completes an overseas tour.

“I just want my fans to stay tuned and expect it any time now,” he said.