Byron Messia has etched his name in dancehall history, becoming the first St. Kitts-based dancehall artiste to earn a Platinum certification in the United Kingdom. His breakout 2023 hit Talibans has now surpassed over 600,000 sales and streaming equivalents in the UK alone, according to the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). It’s a watershed moment not just for the artiste, but for the genre—a bold reminder of dancehall’s expanding global footprint.
“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,” Messia shared. Raised in St. Kitts but born in Jamaica, his journey is one of cross-island cultural exchange, rooted in authenticity and powered by raw, emotional storytelling. Released under Ztekk Records, Talibans debuted in January 2023 and steadily gained traction, earning Gold certifications in Canada (40,000 units) and the UK (400,000 units) before ultimately reaching Platinum status in April 2025.
Messia’s rise also signals a broader shift in the reach and resonance of Caribbean music. Dancehall, long dominated by Jamaican-born artists, is seeing new energy from regional players. According to IFPI’s Global Music Report, streaming has allowed for a 17% rise in consumption of Caribbean genres globally over the past year. Messia’s charting at No. 12 on the UK Singles Chart and multiple Billboard airplay placements in the U.S. reflect that trend. “To be honest, no, we never expected all of what has happened. We were just doing music out of love,” he said, crediting the song’s success to genuine connection and timing.
