Gyptian's third album, 'Hold You', is No. 2 on the reggae album Billboard charts

Every year another reggae artist shines with one single DJs can't ignore, and this year it's been Gyptian's 'Hold You.' But the singer is lucky for more than his radio success. Gyptian still has a visa to tour the U.S., unlike many of his counterparts. TheBVX investigates why.

Gyptian recorded 'Hold You' two years ago with producer/artist Ricky Blaze and was shocked that his song hit this big. "I was surprised it was a song like that -- an oldie," he said. "But people pick the special song they like."

So far, Gyptian's third album, 'Hold You', is No. 2 on the reggae album Billboard charts and a No.1 iTunes download. The 26-year-old crooner, who was once an opening act at dancehall dives and reggae festivals across the United States, is touring solo on most dates and headlining others. He was just added to Nas and Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley's Distant Relatives tour. Hot 97's On Da Reggae Tip on Sept. 3 will be his next big date and yet another feat. Last year, Mavado was the big draw, but with this huge record, Gyptian will be one big sensation this year, even with Elephant Man, Wyclef, Mr. Vegas, Barrington Levy and Serani on the bill. While Gyptian fairly earned his merits after five years of toiling in a fickle market and attracting mostly regional success, he has another reason to give thanks. He avoided the most recent plague to hit Jamaican music -- the revocation of U.S. visas.

During the extradition case against Christopher "Dudus" Coke, the U.S. embassy in Kingston revoked the visas of several Jamaicans, five were dancehall acts, including Beenie Man, Bounty Killer and Mavado. People assumed the revocations had something to do with Dudus.

"There were rumors and speculation that the DJs visas were revoked because they may have been affiliated with gangs somehow," says dancehall DJ Zumjay of Diwali-riddim fame. "There is no proof or evidence of that though."

Bobby Konders, who co-hosts Hot 97's 'On Da Reggae Tip radio' show with Jabba, the show that inspired the concert of the same name says, "It just seems like politics to me. I only know those guys as artists."

A public affairs officer at the U.S. Embassy in Kingston offered this: "There is absolutely no correlation between the Christopher "Dudus" Coke extradition and the revocation of these or any other artists' visas. There is no political motivation behind these or any other visa revocations. Each of the artists has spoken with members of the consular section who explained exactly why their respective visas were revoked."

Because the United States is a lucrative reggae market and summer is its biggest concert season, with Mavado, Beenie Man and Bounty Killer out; Buju Banton lingering in a Miami jail on federal drug trafficking charges; and Sizzla, Busy Signal and Vybz Kartel having been without visas to the United States for years, reggae concert promoters faced some tough choices. Miami's Best of the Best, boasted as North America's biggest reggae concert, listed Gucci Mane and Diddy as the top acts. Irie Jamboree, an annual reggae fest in Queens, was canceled.

"Irie Jamboree is one of the many casualties of the recent lull in the music," stated its press release.

Beenie Man's visa troubles speak to his dwindling funds and reflect the state of the industry as a whole. However, for an up-and-comer with a hit record, it spells opportunity.

"If the pool of artists is smaller, then some people might get more attention than they ever did before," says Konders. "It's their time now. Obviously Gyptian has capitalized on the moment. There is room for the young guys to get some shine."

Last year, it may have been all about Mavado, but someone has to carry on the tradition